Driving to work the ocean on my left, bay on my right, and the sun on my face. A few comforts living on the Eastern Shore.
South on highway Route 1 there is a chain of state parks and beaches. Cape Henlopen sits on the Delaware Bay and houses a beautiful harbor.
Discovered in 1609 by Henry Hudson, the Dutch selected Cape Henlopen as an ideal site for a whaling station in 1631. As late as 1698 pirates visited Cape Henlopen including "Captain Kidd". During the war of 1812 the British bombarded the town and one building still holds a cannonball. In 1862 the land was conveyed to William Penn by the English Courts and renamed "Lewes" in honor of Sussex County, England.
The state park offers blacktop trails, a picnic pavilion, an 18-hole golf course, basketball courts, recreational programs, a kite festival, youth camps, family camping, and swimming. New Jersey visitors can take the Cape May/Lewes ferry over the Delaware bay connected to the park Rehoboth Beach was founded in 1873 as the "Rehoboth Beach Camp Meeting Association" then abandoned in 1881. Incorporated by the Delaware General Assembly as "Henlopen City" renamed Rehoboth Beach.
Known as "The Nation's Summer Capital" because of the frequent summer vacationers. Rated "Best of America" in Reader's Digest May, 2006 issue and one of the "Best Places to Retire" by AARP. Rehoboth is well known for the Atlantic Coast's popular gay community along Queen street.
Festivals take place yearly. Included are the Sea Witch Festival, Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival, and the Rehoboth Beach Autumn Festival. People are drawn to the artistic appeal, nightlife, and outlet shopping.
Driving through Dewey is like walking onto a college Campus. Dewey houses restaurants, clubs, hotels and beach homes. The nightlife is hopping, college students are having fun, and fine dining is available.
In 1962, a three-day Nor'easter hit with gale winds, high tides, and cold rain. The Atlantic Ocean flooded the town with 20 ft ocean waves crashing homes and businesses. Entire sections of Dewey and Rehoboth were under water. Nor'easters and storms throughout the years have caused major flooding and property damage.
Indian River is a 3 mile stretch of Delaware's State Park. The 2825 acre park provided water activities along the coast in 1965. Swimming, sunbathing, a bathhouse, fishing and boating are popular. A sand castle contest is held yearly. The bay side offers water craft rentals, fishing bait shops, with clamming and crabbing in some sections.
Indian River Marina, located on the north side, features services from charter boats to marine supplies. Cottages on the Inlet can be purchased or rented. The fish cleaning is an absolute must for most vacationers.
The Lifesaving Station housed for more than 100 years has been restored by local volunteers. The learning center features the history of the Delaware Coast, U.S. Coast Guard Service, sunken ships, pirates, and famous rescues.
Bethany Beach, Delaware is your next stop. The town celebrated it's 100th Birthday on July 4, 2001. Every year a 4th of July celebration is held with a parade and fireworks on the beach.
Located at the intersection of Pennsylvania Ave. and First St. sit's the Bethany Beach Loop Canal. In 1910 our original settlers entered and excited Bethany through this canal. First on a wood-burning steam boat down the Lewes-Rehoboth canal to the Assawoman canal then Pennwell's Landing. They boarded "Allie May", a shallow water boat, for the final mile to Bethany.
Several historical sites reside in Bethany. The famous "Chief Little Owl" totem pole sits on Route 1 and Garfield Parkway. Peter Toth sculpted the totem in 2002 with a red wood log from Alaska, expected to last 50-100 years.
The Summer Arts Festival, surf fishing tournaments, concerts, and performances are just a few summer attractions in town. Bethany is the first smoke-free beach on the Peninsula.
A stone monument in Fenwick Island bears a coat of arms facing north and Calverts facing south. This stone represents the Trans-peninsular Line accepted in 1760 and ratified by King George III in 1769 dividing Delaware and Maryland. The monument sits south of the Fenwick Island Lighthouse.
Because of the increasing number of shipwrecks on August 1, 1859 the Fenwick Island Lighthouse cast it's first light and could be seen 15 miles out at sea. First burned by whale oil, then mineral oil, and finally in 1899 electric. It consists of 2 brick towers the outer tower being cone-shaped. A cast-iron spiral staircase rises to the watch room, gallery, and the lantern.
The tower is utilized by "The Friends of the Lighthouse" and owned by summer residents of Fenwick. The Friends group sells mementos during summer to upkeep the lighthouse property.
Fenwick Island is the last tax-free beach resort in Delaware. There are many recreational activities. The beach is # 1, windsurfing, and fishing. Just off of Route 54 sits Harpoon Hannah's an outside Tiki Bar/Restaurant. Take in a history lesson at the Discover Sea Museum about pirates, shipwrecks and treasures. Then, finish the night off with a round of miniature golf.
The town was incorporated in 1953 to prevent high-rise development creeping North from Ocean City, Md.
Just past Rt 54 is Ocean City, Md. The #1 visited beach resort along the Peninsula. There is something happening all the time. It is hard to take advantage of all Ocean City has to offer.
Formed during a 1933 storm, Ocean City extends 10 miles from the southern inlet to Fenwick Island, De. The boardwalk and amusement rides are found at the Inlet. Along the 10 mile strip are hotels, condos, restaurants, beach clubs, urgent care centers, a mall, movie theatres, miniature golf, and shops.
Yearly Ocean City holds Bike Week, Car shows, concerts, Food Festivals, Spring Fest, Winter Fest of Lights, and other attractions. What once was a quiet little resort has turned into the #1 hot spot on the Eastern Shore.
More information on any one of the beaches can easily be found on the Internet. Take a look and see what the towns have to offer.
Driving home from work the Eastern Shore comes alive. I know there is no place I'd rather be. What will I do tonight? Maybe take in a movie, or shop at the Rehoboth outlets, or maybe I will take a walk on the beach. The options are endless.
