LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Out and About in Delaware's State Parks |
by Stephen Schilly |
Getting Healthy...I Think!
There's no doubt about it. I...have...gained...weight! Those fateful words relate in very simple terms a reality I had chosen to ignore in recent months. After all, denial is a whole lot easier than the alternative! Unfortunately, there comes a time when denial just won't work anymore. It's not that I'm eating more. Frankly, I've always eaten a lot. I'm just as active as I've always been...sitting idle for prolonged periods simply isn't my style. I guess I have to accept the reality that middle age is having a big effect on my waistline. It's not too bad yet, but it is definitely time to get this under control. Obviously, I am not alone with this issue. Significant portions of the American population struggle with their weight. The Lieutenant Governor, John Carney, recognized this was a problem for many Delawareans including numerous State employees. He recently initiated the "Lieutenant Governor's Challenge" to encourage staff to be more conscious of their health and to take steps to get active. Participants in the Challenge keep track of various physical activities and the amount time they do them. Point values are assigned to each activity and accumulate by half hour increments. You keep track of your score and eventually earn a medal. The ultimate benefit is it makes participants more aware of their fitness and hopefully encourages a healthier lifestyle. I decided to sign up for the Challenge. The program turned out to be a good motivator. I found myself making a concerted effort to be even more active. I started racking up points quickly. It turned out, a lot of what I already did qualified for points. In addition, I decided to take special hikes on the nearby Junction and Breakwater Trail. Within several weeks, I had amassed enough points to almost qualify for a gold medal...my objective. I decided to make one last push to reach that goal by taking a 3-hour hike. I hit the trail mid-morning on a fairly hot, humid day that promised to develop into a scorcher. Overhead I spotted a number of turkey vultures circling as they scanned the surrounding area for a meal. Known as scavengers, these large, gangly birds are opportunists in the natural world who eat the carcasses of dead animals. This particular flock of birds makes its home in the woods behind the Tanger Outlets. I frequently spot them going to and from my home. I basically consider them as my "neighbors" and welcomed their presence overhead. As my hike went on, I spotted lots of other wildlife. Everything from ground hogs, squirrels, a box turtle, and garter snake crossed my path. Butterflies danced around fields of wildflowers while numerous songbirds passed me by. All the while, my "neighbors" seemed to follow me, keeping a watchful eye. As the time went by, it got increasingly hot. While I had drunk plenty of fluids before the trip, I had neglected to bring water on the trail. It wasn't long before I was a sweaty mess and feeling increasingly parched. All the while, my "neighbors" continued circling overhead. Their persistence in following me started to feel a bit creepy. In the meantime, the heat started to become oppressive, my overall discomfort made me anxious to complete the hike. I decided to forge ahead and reach my goal. Hot and tired I started to make my way back to my car. Sure enough, my persistent companions continued right along. This was just too strange. Intent on my goal, I rounded the last turn to reach the parking area. I stopped in my tracks at the sight of seven vultures perched on a nearby farm sprinkler. Like a scene out of a Saturday morning cartoon, the birds seemed to be waiting for my impending demise. Now, I'll admit I was hot, tired and thirsty, but I had no intention on becoming lunch for my avian friends! I hightailed it out of the there. I reached my car where water awaited me. With my goal accomplished, the medal secured, I couldn't help but think my adventure with the birds was something of a "sign." I think I'm going to try a little harder to take better care of myself so I don't have to worry about being someone else's lunch for a long, long time! Gordons PondA History Without a doubt, the state beach at Gordons Pond is one of the most popular locations in the coastal resort area. It is a common occurrence throughout the busy summer months to find the parking area at or near capacity. Of course, the lure of this popular site is the beautiful beach located somewhat away from the more developed resort beaches. While most visitors to the area make a beeline for the beach, many fail to explore the landmark that gives the area its name. The following is a brief history of the pond provided by the Division's Cultural and Recreation Services Section: The creation of Gordons Pond was the result of both nature and human efforts. In the late 1600s, the pond did not yet exist. Instead, there was a swampy wetland known as Martin's Vineyard. Pirates roamed the Cape in those early days, and more than once raided the town of Lewes. In 1715, the land passed to Thomas Gordon and remained in this family for several generations. During this time, there was very little human activity in the area other than a nearby salt works, but nature was not idle. Ocean winds and water combined to begin to form a pond there. Naturally, it was called Gordons Pond. It took the work of various government agencies during the 20th century to give the pond the shape it has today. In an effort to control water levels, the Civilian Conservation Corps dug drainage ditches in the 1930s. This work was suspended during World War II, when Gordons Pond came under the control of the United States Army's Coast Artillery. Two of their observation towers can still be seen today on the beach adjacent to the pond. In the last four decades of the 20th century, Gordons Pond began to assume its present form. In the early 1960s, the state's Fish and Game Commission constructed two dikes that were later improved with an electric pump and an intake pipe to control water level. In the 1990s, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control installed two self-regulating tide gates. Water levels within the pond continue to be managed throughout the year to provide habitat for migratory waterfowl and feeding grounds for shorebirds and various beachnesting species. Now a popular part of Cape Henlopen State Park, Gordons Pond is an inviting place to walk or bicycle, watch the birds, and enjoy the scenery. A recently constructed trail gives visitors easy access around much of the pond. An observation deck provides an ideal location to watch numerous birds as they busily feed on insects and fish at the site. It's an amazing site to behold and well worth the effort. We hope you'll take the time to explore this very special part of Delaware State Parks! For more information on these and other park programs, contact the Seaside Nature Center at 302-645-6852 or visit www.destateparks.com Stephen Schilly is Park Operations Administrator for the Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation. He may be reached at stephen.schilly@state.de.us. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 14 No. 11 August 13, 2004. |