Delaware
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| Lighthouse on The Point |
When: mid December, two days
Miles traveled: 275
Price of gas: $3.09
High point: Pine cones
Low point: Cold hotdogs
One thing learned: History is a good way of distinguishing one place from another.
In an attempt to visit Delaware and Maryland before heading home for Christmas, I spent only a few days in each state. In Delaware I camped at a sparsely populated Cape Henlopen state park. They have beautiful pine trees throughout the park and campground, and there is a hiking trail in their pine forest. They also have biking trails that circle the park and bikes available for visitors to borrow. Unfortunately, I did not realize they had bikes until much later and thus missed out on this opportunity. My morning started with a cold and windy walk along the beach, and I ate lunch on the sand near The Point. The Point is the edge of the state where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean.
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| Cannonball house |
In the afternoon I walked through Lewes, learning a bit about the town's history. During the War of 1812, Lewes was attacked by British ships and one house still proudly shows its metal. Known as the Cannonball house, a fist sized cannonball remains lodged in the house's foundation. History, I've come to realize, is one of the few things that distinguishes one location from another. Most places are the same. They have: libraries, restaurants, ice skating, hang gliding, street names, businesses, and nature. Even National Parks can blur into the same-old trees, birds, animals, and sand. But taking the time to learn details about a location's history and ecosystem, showcases what makes a location unique.
Now months later, I realize I forgot about this ability of history. But it's still true in January as it was in December. I was bored with a recent hike around trees & ponds, but learning the history and "life cycle" of limestone sinkholes made the hike a little more interesting.
My day exploring Delaware ended with roasting hotdogs over a campfire. (I wonder if I still use any skills I learned in Girl Scouts. Building campfires was not something I learned in Girl Scouts.) My fire went out after two hotdogs, and none of my attempts to save it worked. Cold hotdogs and normal marshmallows are less exciting than roasted ones. I will need a better plan for my next campfire.
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| Pine cone! |
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| Campfire research! |