Out and About in Delaware's State Parks

While I would not strictly classify myself as an avid sun "worshipper," my partner, Bob, and I normally hit the beaches in early May. By late June, our regular trips to the beach result in a respectable tan for both of us. That’s certainly not the case this year! The miserable, rainy weather that kicked off the summer has kept us away from the sand and surf. As a result, I’m looking positively ghostly. I’m going to have to work extra hard to make up for lost ground. You can bet if we get a sunny weekend, I’ll be staking out my corner of the sand…count on it!

Of course, all the rainy weather forced Bob and me to find other activities to idle away our spare time. Believe me, this can be a very dangerous thing. Bob has always been an avid fan of the internet. He can surf the net for hours and hours hunting down the perfect vacation or gathering information on some planned purchase. All that is rather benign. But, about six months ago, Bob discovered Ebay! The opportunity to shop and bid on desired items from around the world was too much of a lure for him. Their website has become his home away from home! To be honest, he has kept his purchases reasonably under control. But when he is on the hunt for a particular item…LOOK OUT! His primary obsession has been hunting for antique Japanese iron teapots called tetsubins. He became intrigued with them last autumn. After a crash course in everything you ever wanted to know about tetsubins, Bob was ready to start on Ebay. Night after night, he would give me updates on his latest "hunt." He targeted very specific teapots of the appropriate age and design. He researched the bidding histories of his competitors. He analyzed their psychological profile and used his conclusions to strategize his attack. His determination often resulted in success. He even developed his own sort of "victory" dance. Thanks to Ebay, Bob has quickly amassed a respectable collection of teapots. Our only challenge now is where to display all of them!

I’ve had a great time teasing Bob about his attachment to Ebay. However, I think that might be coming to an end. With all the rainy weather, I decided to check out Ebay. Wouldn’t you know, they have a site devoted to my personal "obsession"… compact discs! It didn’t take me long to get hooked on hunting those obscure discs I’ve long wanted to add to my collection. Not only was I finding them, I was also getting them at incredible prices! Bob is already calling himself an "Ebay widow." I think I may need to take the hint and back off a bit. But, as long as it’s raining, I’m going to have a hard time staying away. There’s only one real solution, I need sunshine to get me out of the house. Here’s hoping the days ahead are warm and sunny. If not, we just might need to add some more shelves to the CD cabinet!

State Park Survival Guide
• Park Fee: Entrance fees are collected 24 hours a day May 1 through Oct. 31. Most areas have self-payment sites for use when fee collectors are off duty. Daily entrance fees are $2.50 for a Delaware-registered vehicle and $5 for an out-of state vehicle. For frequent visitors, season passes are a great bargain—just $20 for a Delaware-registered vehicle and $40 for an out-of-state vehicle! Park entrance fees are essential for the operation of the state parks. You might be surprised to learn that state taxes support only 35 percent of the Division’s budget, with visitor fees generating the other 65 percent. In times of "tight" economies, these fees are essential to keeping our programs running and our parks open.

• Pets on Beaches: State law prohibits pets on swimming or sunbathing beaches May 1 through Sept. 30. The Division defines prohibited areas as designated swimming beaches, surfing and sailboarding areas. Pets are allowed in surf fishing areas but must be on a leash not to exceed six feet in length at all times. Pets are not permitted off the leash to allow them to run free on the beach or in the surf. Owners are required to clean up after their pets.

• Lifeguards: The Division provides lifeguards at designated swimming beaches Memorial Day through Labor Day. Unfortunately, it is not possible for the Division to guard the entire coastline. Lifeguards post orange flags to indicate the area of beach they are guarding. For your protection, we strongly recommend you only swim in guarded areas. Staffing shortages, typically at the start or end of the summer, may result in an area being "unguarded."

• "Carry-in, Carry-out": This program was initiated in 1994 to help make our parks "trash free." Thanks to the cooperation of park visitors, it’s working! The removal of trashcans in the parks has resulted in our facilities and beaches being much cleaner. Look for the trash bags that the Division provides at designated locations.

• Bird Nesting Areas: Several species make their summer "homes" on Delaware’s beaches, nesting in the sand on or near the dune lines. Unfortunately, this is also where many beach users want to recreate or sunbathe. For these birds, there is no other place to go to establish their nests. In recent years, a number of these species have declined dramatically. As part of a recovery plan for the threatened piping plover, a species that had only six nesting pairs in Delaware last year, the Division closes sections of beach to pedestrians, beach vehicles and pets when nests are discovered.

• Indecent Exposure: State law and state park rules and regulations strictly prohibit indecent exposure. Contrary to what you might read elsewhere, there are no "clothing optional" beaches in Delaware. This prohibition extends to all areas of the parks including trails and parking lots.

So, there you have it. I hope this information is helpful as you get ready to "hit the beach" or discover the attractions at our other state parks. Whatever you choose, summer is a great time to visit our facilities. Check out the state parks website at www.destateparks.com. for information, suggestions and directions. And if you have any questions or suggestions for future topics, please e-mail me at stephen.schilly@state.de.us. Or look for me at the beach!

Nature’s Best Bets

If you are looking for fun summer activities, there are a number of weekly "best bets" at Cape Henlopen. Weekly programs run from June 16 through September 1. For more information, contact the Seaside Nature Center at 302-645-6852.

Cape Chronicles • Wednesdays, 1 p.m.
These historical programs will delve into the facts and occasional fiction, associated with various historical periods of Cape Henlopen. Topics of discussions will include Native American history, geological history, lighthouses of the Delaware Bay, pirates, and immigration into the New World.

Rehoboth Bay Boat Tour • Wed, Thur, and Fri, 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Enjoy a fascinating sightseeing tour on Rehoboth Bay. The naturalist will discuss the formation of the inland bays, estuarine and salt marsh ecology, and the connections between humans and the inland bays. We will most likely observe herons, egrets, ospreys, gulls, shorebirds, and diamondback terrapins. $10 per person.