Wednesday Morning

Just as the sunset at the end of Oyster Rocks Road last night was a beautiful and peaceful moment; the sun that washed over the walkway this morning to my house also had its own beauty.The impatiens that line the walkway invited a plethora of insects to their early morning meal. Feeling the warmth of the morning sun on my arms, I decided to record this moment with my digital camera. Summer, fall, winter, and spring. I value and appreciate all the seasons of my home in Delaware. My partner Bill was told by a neighbor this morning that the development we now live in used to be a horse pasture prior to Ryan Homes developing it into the community of Covington Chase. That was news to me. I assumed this area east of Route One was a farm field, as is so many other recent developments in this area of southern coastal Delaware. He told me that the elderly lady who owned it could no longer manage the upkeep of the horses and pasture. A few months ago, I received a comment on my blog from a reader gently chastising me and others like me for moving to Delaware and thus, in his opinion, changing the rural nature of Sussex County. What kind of defense do I offer to such an accusation? One thing I could say is if I didn't move here, someone else would. Development cannot be stopped. However, it can be controlled. I believe there is a balance between development and maintaining the unique quality of whatever area that is being developed. Sussex County has always been a farming and chicken production county. The eastern shore that borders the Delaware Bay (bordered by Cape Henlopen) and the Atlantic Ocean has been a tourist destination for many years by the inhabitants of Washington D.C., Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Virginia. In recent years development has accelerated. The recent housing downtown has slowed down development. However, development will continue. Retirees like me, who are escaping the high taxes of adjoining states and are seeking a low maintenance lifestyle with a milder climate, will continue to buy and build houses in and near the coast of Sussex County. To those native Delaware residents who view this immigration with concern and trepidation, do not fear. I have a nest of bluebird babies in my backyard bluebird house who are just about to enter this new world. My neighbors have a new batch of barn swallows to are testing their wings each day before they leave their nest above my neighbor's front door. Honey bees are very busy with my flower garden and bird baths that border my back yard. They have accepted us as the new neighbors in their neighborhood. I eat out at least twice a week at restaurants, thus contributing to the livelihood of those working at those eateries. Almost daily, I shop at the local supermarkets thus also contributing to the livelihood of those who work for the supermarkets. And, last but certainly not least, I think I'm keeping a local nursery in business ( I spend LOT OF MONEY at this nursery). Ah yes, there are native Delawareans who are happy to see me come through the door. On warm summer mornings such as today, I am so thankful to be alive and enjoying the serenity and peacefulness of my new home in Delaware.

Ft. Miles at Cape Henlopen, Delaware

On this perfect day I decided to take Bill for a visit to Fort Miles on the tip of Cape Henlopen, Delaware. We lived in center city Philadelphia for eleven years and not once did we visit Independence Hall or the other historic landmarks associated with the early history of America. I didn't want to repeat that mistake again. Our home on the eastern shore of Delaware, is only about three miles from Cape Henlopen, Delaware. At the bed and breakfast where I work in Lewes, I frequently recommend Cape Henlopen as a must see local tourist attraction. Yet, I haven't visited this beautiful resource myself. Today that changed. My first visit actually was last Saturday. I had time to kill before I attended a beach wedding a mile down the road from Cape Henlopen. Cape Henlopen was just a short drive away so I took the trip, almost my default. What a pleasant surprise. Again, as has happened so often in my life, I have found that the treasures are hidden. Cape Henlopen is a beautiful park. At the tip of the cape is the old military base Fort Miles. Fort Miles was the military installation during World War II that was put in place to protect the ports of Wilmington and Philadelphia. To walk those windswept acres is to go back in history at a time when our country was facing a serious threat from an enemy overseas. If there was an invasion of our shore, it probably would have been at Cape Henlopen. Thank goodness no blood was spilled on these shores. The view from the tip of the Cape is awe inspiring. The best things in life are indeed free.