Horseshoe Crabs on the Beach in Wildwood New Jersey

Our travel "Photo of the Week" this week features a photo I took back on September 11th, 2012 of a horseshoe crab on the beach in North Wildwood, New Jersey. Normally when we walk the beach, we will see one or two horseshoe crabs up on the beach (dead or alive) but during this particular week, we saw over a hundred of them!

I don't know why so many horseshoe crabs were washing up onto the beach that week but it was really strange! We go down to our condo a few times every year to enjoy the Jersey Shore and the beach, and I don't ever recall seeing so many horseshoe crabs on the beach like we did in early September.

The previous year we saw a LOT of Jellyfish on the beach, but not a lot of horseshoe crabs. I am not sure why we saw so many, but they were pretty to look at (the "alive" ones) but the dead ones...well, the seagulls were having a field day and dinner with those!

When you see a horseshoe crab stuck on the beach, check to see if it's still alive. If so, turn it upright and carry it down into the water and set it free. Sometimes they get stuck on the sand during rough surf or during breeding time when they get tired. If they're still alive, please stop and help to set them free! They're an important part of the coastal eco-system.

BEAR CREEK To Host Second Fall Festival in October

The 2012 Bear Creek Fall Festival is planned for Sunday, October 7, 2012 at Bear Creek Mountain Resort. The event will be held outdoors in the base area and is a shine only event. Most event festivities will kick-off around noon.

This family fun event will include: pumpkin chucking, nature discussions and storytelling, 5k and 10k trail run, tethered hot air balloon rides, rock wall climbing, used ski equipment sale, chair lift rides, petting zoo, crafts and more.

Tickets will be available at guest services beginning at 9am on October 7. Admission is $8 for adults and $3 for children and ages 5 and under are free, admission fee includes most activities.

The Hotel at Bear Creek is offering a Fall Festival vacation package starting at just $114 per person. This package is based on double occupancy and includes an overnight stay at The Hotel at Bear Creek, two tickets to the Fall Festival, a $50 dining card and breakfast for two at the Trail’s End Café. Reservations can be made by contacting the resort at 1-866-754-2822.

About Bear Creek Mountain Resort & Conference Center

Bear Creek Mountain Resort is nestled on over 330 acres in Macungie, Pennsylvania. The resort offers skiing, snowboarding and snowtubing winter activities and hiking, biking, boating, tennis, disc golf and nearby golf during the spring through fall months. Guests can plan an event in the spacious banquet and meeting facilities, dine at The Grille at Bear Creek or the Trail’s End Cafe, relax at The Spa at Bear Creek or vacation at the hotel, The Hotel at Bear Creek, with indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs.