Out and About in Delaware's State Parks

The winter months always seem to drag on and on for me. While I’m not necessarily a "summer" person, I am decidedly not a fan of cold, snowy weather. But there is reason for me to be optimistic. With the arrival of March…SPRING is in sight!

To be honest, I have to admit this winter hasn’t been all that bad. We’ve had our share of snow but it didn’t hang around for long. In typical Delaware fashion, the weather this winter was predictably "unpredictable." A couple of weeks ago, we had close to four inches of snow which was followed by several sunny days in the low 60s. Definitely not the typically frigid late winter weather we are known to have. I guess I should be thankful for the heatwave. I just hope it’s a sign that spring is on the way! (Photo at right is Dune Overlook Trail at Cape Henlopen State Park)

Of course, the one thing which helps me deal with the cold winter months is travel. We were most recently in London for the holidays and are now looking forward to a week at the French and Italian Rivieras. I know many people can’t afford to travel this often, but we’ve found that, with careful planning, there are many affordable opportunities out there.

Talking about Our "Family"
As a by-product of our recent trip to London, Bob and I have gotten hooked on theater. We had such a good time seeing shows in London’s West End, we are now taking every opportunity to attend shows back home. For Valentine’s Day, we took the opportunity to run off to Baltimore to catch the road show of The Producers at the new Hippodrome Theater. What a great show! Only Mel Brooks could write and compose such a hysterically funny musical on such an offbeat topic. You couldn’t leave the theater without having a great time. If you haven’t yet seen this amazing show, make every effort to go. You won’t regret it.

We actually spent most of the Valentine’s Day weekend in Washington visiting with Bob’s best friend. It was a great opportunity to catch up on old times and the latest news. Bob’s friend had lots to show off including his new home, boyfriend and latest addition to his family, a toy poodle named Molly. There were signs of Molly all about the house. Water and food bowls were on each floor and she had a fabulous wicker dog house located in the master bed room. A doggie photo album on the dresser was evidence of Molly’s cherished place in the home. After meeting the new boyfriend, the four of us had a great time running around the city enjoying the sights and each other’s company. Think about it. Here we were, four middle aged gay men running around Washington. I bet it creates quite an interesting picture. The reality, however, was the biggest topic of conversation was about our dogs! That’s right…like proud parents, each of us discussed the comic antics of our "children." House training, or the lack thereof, was at the top of the list. Bob’s friend had even consulted a pet psychic to remedy Molly’s chronic behavior problems. At one point, doggie pictures started to get shared from people’s wallets. I sat in utter amazement at the irony of it all. In an odd sort of way, we had all become our parents. Without real offspring, our dogs had become our surrogate children and were the center of our daily lives. Who would ever have believed this?

Looking Forward to 2004
As spring approaches, there is a great deal of activity going on around the Division of Parks and Recreation. Staff are in "high gear" making preparations for the coming summer season. We are all looking forward with tremendous optimism to a great 2004! While budgets continue to remain tight, resources appear to be more readily available than in 2003. The Governor recently gave state agencies permission to begin hiring again. This is especially good news for our Division that had more than 25 fulltime positions open throughout much of the past year. Filling these vacancies will go a long way to help us better provide the services required by our more than 4 million visitors each year. Now, if we can only find a way to guarantee good weather, then we’ll really be in business!

Open Year Round
There’s a lot more to Delaware State Parks besides our beautiful beaches. Our 14 State Parks are open year round and offer exciting recreational opportunities for people of all ages and fitness levels. Whether it’s active recreation you seek, or simply a quiet place for reflection, Delaware State Parks are open and waiting for you! Our parks are scattered throughout the state with each site offering its own unique qualities and resources. From the stately William duPont mansion and formal gardens at Bellevue State Park, to the natural beauty of the majestic bald cypress trees at Trap Pond, there is something for everyone on our sites. We hope you’ll take the time to come out and explore these special places. They are well worth the effort!

Take up "The Challenge"
Looking for a change of pace and a fun way to get physically fit? Why not take the Delaware State Parks "Trail Challenge?" Hike 15 designated trails in 8 parks within 12 months…about 40 miles all together…and earn our "Golden Boot Award."

Delaware’s relatively mild terrain makes the Trail Challenge something most everyone can do—young or old, novice or fitness freak. It gives participants the incentive to visit many state parks and the opportunity to enjoy some of Delaware’s most spectacular scenic wonders. All of this, while taking part in an activity that contributes to physical fitness. Did you know that hikers can burn up to 600 calories per hour if they keep up a brisk pace? So, why not take the "Challenge"? You could be one of the "elite" group of people who have earned this unique award. For more information check our website or call the Division’s Cultural and Recreation Services Section at 302-739-4413.

Nature’s Best Bets
If you are looking for fun activities, here are a number of "best bets" at the Seaside Nature Center in Cape Henlopen State Park:

Bike At The Beach • Wednesdays, March 17 – April 14, 10 a.m.

Join a naturalist and travel the scenic bike trail within Cape Henlopen State Park. Each week, we’ll focus on a different aspect of cultural or natural history found within the park. Please pre-register. Limited to 12. This program is made possible by the Park Peddlers program brought to you by the Friends of Cape Henlopen.

Life Awakening • Saturday, March 20, 1 p.m.

Spring has sprung! Join a naturalist on this first day of Spring and search for signs of budding life. We’ll discuss the life forms getting ready to mate such as birds, reptiles, and flowers during this informational hike.

Birding At Gordon’s • Saturday, March 27, 8 a.m.

Experience the pristine and rich environment of Gordon’s Pond State Park as we walk the trail in search of songbirds, shorebirds, and gulls. Meet at the Gordon’s Pond parking lot. Pre-register by calling the Seaside Nature Center.

36th Annual Kite Festival • Friday, April 9, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Celebrate the coming of spring by flying kites! Celebrate Kite Day with us, and enjoy contests, kite and craft vendors, food, and fun for all ages! A special event fee will be in effect at the park gate.

For more information on these and other park programs, contact the Seaside Nature Center at 302-645-6852 or visit www.destateparks.com.