Doin' Delaware in a Heat Wave

 August 2 - 11, 2022

Houston, Delaware

Pennsylvania is a beautiful state with lots to see, but I'm relieved to get the motorhome off its roads on Tuesday. Between the potted and rutted highways and narrow backroads with steep drop-offs on the sides I'm ready for the smoother and wider options we find in Delaware! 

Three hours moving south, and just before 2:00 we're setting up at G&R Campground in Houston, Delaware. Given that the name is short for gun and rod, I'm skeptical about what we may find. An older park in the trees, none of my concerns are validated. It's a bit rough but well maintained and everything works well. The owner checks us in and leads us to our site that is supposed to be open sky. And it is - sort of. Bill's app that shows where the satellites are confirm they are all visible through the opening above us, but even after moving the rig to try and connect we're unable to do so. No satellite for ten days is not ideal. No park WiFi, but our MiFi does connect, just not real fast.

50 amp FHUs and mostly in the shade is a blessing with temps expected in the high 90's for the majority of our stay. Level, dirt sites, and all our neighbors are at least two spaces away.

Thinking that it will be cooler by the beach we make a day trip to Slaughter Beach and Rehoboth Beach only to find 95-101 degree temps follow us. The two areas are very, very different. 

Slaughter Beach is a laid-back, empty-beach, stretch of Atlantic coast line with older homes. 

Sadly the beach is strewn with over a thousand dead Horseshoe Crab. It's unpleasant and likely the reason for no people on a triple digit summer day. The water is about 80 degrees which is very weird for this west coast gal!

On the west side of the little road is a wildlife preserve adding to the quiet of the area.

A lone Osprey at this nest with added decor around the edges.

We brought our chairs but with these temps we have no desire to sit on the sand!

Instead we opt for an air conditioned late lunch in Rehoboth Beach where the streets, sidewalks, parking and beaches are packed with people. Given the two inch waves we see at the beach this mural seems like wishful thinking for local surfers!

Before the weekend arrives I make a solo shopping run into Maryland, getting home just as a thunder storm arrives. It rains off and on all night but only drops the temperature a few degrees. We only venture out for some Mexican food and margaritas, and a quick visit to nearby Abbotts Mill. Otherwise we hang at home in the cool all weekend. 

These old beauties catch my eye outside Denton, Maryland.

It's amazing how every single flower follows the sun, turning their backs to me on my return east.

The mill originated in 1797 and was purchased by Ainsworth Abbott in 1919. Abbott worked the mill, and the growing homestead, until he retired in 1963. Now owned by the county, the on-site interpretive center holds classes and demonstrations.

Closed on the day we're there, the workings inside are visible through a window. 

The Boardwalk Loop Trail along the clear creek.

The park is planted with several varieties of butterfly-loving flowers.

Nearby Abbott Pond

Delaware's capital city, Dover, is 20 minutes to the north (it's Delaware so nothing is too far away). Still hot, we make a day trip to see what we can learn about our country's first state.  

The Dover Green Historic District  is a wonderful area of 79 buildings including the historic Green, and includes most of the inhabited part of the 18th century. It is equally drivable and walkable. On this hot August afternoon no one is walking! The buildings are beautifully maintained, and most continue to be occupied for residency, government or business. 

From this center green the men and boys of Delaware marched to fight for what would become an independent nation, never seeing their home become its first state. 

The original building is gone, but this is the site of the Golden Fleece Tavern where on December 7, 1787, 30 elected delegates signed the Federal Constitution making Delaware the first of the United States of America.  

Next door to the tavern, and on the Green, is the Ridgley home built in 1728 for Thomas Ridgley, the youngest of the 30 delegates to sign for statehood. Many Ridgleys would serve the people of Delaware through 1863.

The garden of Marjorie Ridgley, President of the Delaware Equal Suffrage Association 1919-1920. While Delaware failed to give women the right to vote in its 1920 legislative vote, Marjorie was able to vote in every election for 40 years after the amendment was passed in 1923.

Delaware Legislative Hall - the state capitol building. 

A grand old lady - the Old State Building.

What a unique visual at the front of the art museum - birds flying through the front window and into the gallery.

I love old movie theaters - I hope someone restores this one and opens its doors to movie lovers again.

One of few non-brick historic buildings, this stone block beauty is not identified on the south side of the Green.

Beyond the Historic Green area is the Victorian Dover Historic District with dozens of lovely vintage homes on tree-lined streets, including the Governor's Mansion.

This green slate two-story really stands out.

Woodburn - The Governor's House was purchased by the state as the residence for the governor's family in 1963. Built in 1798 by Charles Hillyard, it changed ownership numerous times before becoming home to Delaware's first family.

Dover is a great little city that has done a wonderful job of making their history both interesting and accessible. Come when it's cooler and check out all the buildings, information plaques, and street art. 

Lewes, Delaware, has a pretty little downtown where we actually find parking (unlike the crazy busy beach nearby). Shade helps make it walkable and the tiny coffee house serves a tasty iced Chai!

Zero breeze, triple digits, warm ocean, no waves, waaaaay too many people - not for us.

Last day we make a drug-run to Annapolis! Well we go to pick up prescriptions, so same thing :-). Although we've done all the advance calling and ordering for both the pharmacy and the laboratory we still have to make more phone calls to our provider to end up with what we need.  

I'm also hoping to see some history here, but we soon find the sites have no parking and the crowds are dense. We see a few places from the Jeep, and negotiate through some two lane streets that are actually 1/2 lane. The area was definitely developed pre-automobile - you know, historic!

Historic Colonial District

A quick glimpse of the Naval Academy. 

Lovely structures.

City Port

Rain moving in over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. 

Oliver is serious about his veggies!

M&M learning to milk a "cow" at the county fair.

When Daddy catches you on his work computer - oh Elliott!

Thursday we move on to Maryland for a few days.