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Welcoming Spring
I’m feeling much happier these days. After months of bad weather,
including frigid temperatures and near record accumulations of snow,
spring finally arrived on March 21.
Everywhere I look, I can see signs of the
seasonal transition. Trees have started to bud and the first flowers of
the year are in bloom. Wildlife is getting more active after a long cold
winter. Birds are arriving in the area as they migrate northward. And
the surest sign of all for the change in season, tourists and homeowners
are returning in large numbers to the resort area!
On the Road Again
My partner, Bob, and I couldn’t wait for the arrival of warmer
temperatures. The blizzard in mid-February was more than enough
incentive for us to want to get away to a sunnier locale. With that in
mind, we made plans for our “great escape” in early March to
Barcelona.
I’ve never been much of a world
traveler. I always found it easier to stay home or to limit trips to
excursions in the mid-Atlantic region. To be honest, I just couldn’t
be bothered with all the planning. That’s all changed since meeting
Bob. He has an intense love of foreign places and has no problem doing
the necessary planning to make the trips a reality. In fact, the process
of hunting down the perfect adventure has become something of a pastime
for him. He takes to the internet spending endless hours exploring every
possible excursion. Of course, I encourage it! Who wouldn’t want to
travel to such exciting places?
As much as I’ve come to enjoy foreign
travel, I always find preparations to be a chore. I manage to obsess
over every detail to ensure nothing goes wrong. I normally pack days
ahead of time to avoid forgetting anything. Bob, on the other hand, has
a completely different approach. He waits until the last minute to toss
the necessary items into the suitcase. I always worry he’ll forget
something important or simply not be ready in time to leave. Invariably,
he does just fine and I’ve obsessed for no reason!
Our preparations for Barcelona actually
got done well in advance of the trip. For once I thought we were ahead
of the game. We seemed to have taken care of all the details…wrong! On
the morning of the flight, when I went to drop the dogs off at the
kennel, I was told they did not have all their necessary shots! The dogs
could not stay at the kennel without the vaccinations! In a panic, I
raced to Savannah Animal Hospital only to find they were already backed
up with a lobby full of patients. This was not boding well for making
our flight! I excitedly explained my predicament to the receptionist. To
my surprise and immense gratitude, the staff at the hospital immediately
took the dogs and administered the vaccinations. Their kindness and
understanding saved the day and ensured we made our flight out of
Philadelphia.
Fortunately, the episode with the dogs
was the only stressful moment on the trip. Barcelona was fantastic! We
had five warm, sunny days in that beautiful city touring museums,
churches and assorted monuments. Our favorite tours were actually
outside the city. We spent one day visiting the monastery of Montserrat
located high in the Pyrenees Mountains. The cable car ride up the
mountain was amazing! A second day trip was to the coastal town of
Sitges. Located on the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean, the
town is Spain’s answer to Rehoboth. We know we will want to return to
this beautiful resort in the future.
Park Updates
The trip to Spain certainly helped to get me refreshed for the hectic
spring season in state parks. Campgrounds have reopened and it won’t
be long before the first busy week of the year arrives…Easter Week!
Park staffs are working hard to get everything open and in good running
order before the crowds descend on us.
The Division of Parks and Recreation
recently opened bids for construction of the first phase of the Junction
and Breakwater Trail between Lewes and Rehoboth. The firm of George
& Lynch submitted the low bid of $863,000. If all goes well,
construction of the 2-mile segment of trail between Holland Glade Road
and Wolfe Neck Road will begin in late April with an anticipated
completion in autumn 2003. The good news was the bid submitted by George
& Lynch came in significantly lower than the original estimate from
engineers. As a result, the Division of Parks and Recreation may be able
to take on additional projects associated with this important
recreational resource for the resort community.
The park fee season is just around the
corner. The 2003 season runs from May 1 through October 31. Daily
entrance fees remain unchanged from last year—$2.50 for a
Delaware-registered vehicle or $5 for an out-of-state vehicle. For
frequent visitors, season passes are an even more incredible
bargain—just $20 for a Delaware-registered vehicle or $40 for an
out-of-state vehicle! All park entrance fees go towards the operation of
the state parks. At such a bargain price, why not buy a season pass and
show your support for the parks? Park season passes are currently on
sale at state park offices.
State Parks Need You!
Volunteers have always been an important part of our state park
“family.” The time and effort they donate to park projects have
played an important role in the Division meeting its mission. In 2002,
volunteers donated over 60,000 hours of service to state parks. At Cape
Henlopen, over 11,000 hours were donated! Without the efforts of
volunteers, many important projects would remain unfinished throughout
our park system.
Exactly what kind of work do volunteers
perform? The projects range from simple jobs to those requiring highly
skilled individuals. Jobs are selected for volunteers based on their
skills and interests. Examples of volunteer projects include trail
maintenance, environmental education, special events, landscaping,
facility and equipment repair, administrative assistance, etc. There are
opportunities to help on special projects including the annual beach
grass plantings, (see photo at left) beach clean ups, Adopt-A-Beach Program, Adopt-A-Wetland
Program, and the Campground host program.
Our parks are special resources enjoyed
by millions of visitors each year. It takes a tremendous effort for
staff to maintain and manage these resources for the enjoyment of our
visitors. Why not consider giving a little time and effort back to the
parks you enjoy? In as little as two hours, you can make a difference in
Delaware State Parks! For information about how to volunteer, visit our
website at www.destateparks.com/volunteers
or contact Glen Stubbolo, Volunteer Administrator at (302) 739-3197. If
you have a desire to help, we have a job for you!
I want to thank all the readers who have
contacted me with their questions and suggestions. The feedback I
receive from you is very helpful. Please keep the comments coming! For
more information about upcoming programs and activities, check out our
website at www.destateparks.com.
And if you have any questions or suggestions for future topics, please
e-mail me at stephen.schilly@state.de.us
Nature’s Best Bets
If you are looking for fun spring activities, some “best bets”
at Cape Henlopen Nature Center include:
Battery Tours • Sundays, April 13
and May 4 • 1 p.m.
During the summer of 1941, as war raged in Europe, the U.S. Army began
fortifying the dunes of Cape Henlopen to protect the Delaware Bay from
invasion. Learn about the construction of Fort Miles and the incredible
change in the landscape of the Cape, then tour the first battery
completed. Limited to 20 people. Pre-registration is required. $3 per
person.
Egg-cellent Creations • Friday,
April 18 • 10 a.m. • 2 p.m.
Eggs…an enduring symbol of spring, will be the subject of this special
display at the nature center. See a demonstration of “Pysanky,” the
traditional Ukranian folk art of creating intricate and symbolic designs
on eggs using beeswax and dyes. Many examples of this beautiful art will
be displayed.
Return Of the Ospreys • Saturday,
April 19 • 1 p.m.
Learn about these amazing aerial anglers during an informative slide
presentation. We’ll then travel outdoors and visit a nearby nest
platform to observe osprey courtship, nesting and hunting.
Spring Hawk Watch • Sundays in April
and May • 9 a.m. - noon
Participate in this international effort to monitor and record migrating
hawks, falcons and eagles. Experienced hawk watchers will be on hand to
assist with identification and to answer questions. For
more information on these and other park programs, contact the Seaside
Nature Center at 302-645-6852.
Stephen Schilly is Park Operations
Administrator Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation. He may be
reached at sschilly@state.de.us.
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