LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Out and About in Delaware's State Parks |
by Stephen Schilly |
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 bargainjust $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. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 13 No. 3, April 4, 2003. |