I had a rather ignominious start of my visit to Delaware, home of our (at that time) Democratic vice presidential candidate. It was raining. No, not raining… dumping sheets of water blasted by gusts which pushed vehicles skittering across the road. Windshield wipers thawk, thawk, thawked on hyperspeed and I still couldn’t read the exit signs. It was a dark and rainy night and I really wanted to survive to see the dawn so, chanting “please don’t hit, please don’t hit me”, I eased onto what I assumed was an exit ramp and made my way. Can you believe my hotel was winking its lights as me within ½ mile? We won’t go into the difficulties I had figuring out where the driveway was. I eventually parked. I took a few deep breaths and sat in the vehicle 20 minutes awaiting a slight lessened of the firehose-type downpour. Bored, I gave up and sprinted the 10 yards into the lobby. I sloshed my way up to desk and dripped onto the paperwork as I registered.
Once in my room I decided to stay in. My purpose in visiting all 50 states is not to sit in a generic hotel room and watch bad television. Maybe someday I’ll get to explore the tantalizing RoadFood options of the Wilmington and Brandywine Valley area, but it wasn’t going to be that night. My complimentary pack of Oreo’s accompanied by a cup of tea suited me just fine.
Sunshine greeted me the next day. The glint off all of the puddles was a bit blinding but I enjoyed touring the area and catching glimpses of grand estates. This is home to the du Pont family with several of their properties open for tours. Regrettably, it was too early on a Sunday morning to partake. The wealth of the past seems to continue: The state has a population of 864,764 with a median income of $52,833. They’re doing pretty well with a foreclosure rate of only 1% and unemployment rate of 4.4%. http://abcnews.go.com/politics/elections/?category=Delaware
Delaware, the first State to ratify the Federal Constitution, seems to be best known for it’s tax-free shopping with outlet malls blighting the landscape. Antiquing and country auctions are also popular. I passed many hand lettered signs urging me to stop and spend my money on a treasure of the past. There are also numerous farm stores decorated in their fall glory. If I could have figured out how to haul a trunk load of pumpkins and squash home on the plane you can be assured I would have done so.
Rehoboth Beach was founded in the late 1800’s as a Methodist camp meeting site, Rehoboth means “room for all”. They took that to heart and the beach town is now a summer destination complete with a mile-long boardwalk with all of the requisite hawkers. The bandstand was complete with a rockin’ band. The carnival atmosphere is not my cup of tea and it was a bit chilly for a dip in the surf but I see the appeal. Maybe I needed to try skimboarding, a local type of surfing as best I determine. Looked like fun! It had to be warmer out there than the frigid Northern California beaches.
I exited Delaware via the 17 mile Lewes ferry crossing. Lewes is the “first Town in the first state”. The city is situated at the point where the Delaware Bay meets that Atlantic Ocean and has miles of beaches. I enjoyed a good view from afar of the area’s lighthouses. The Breakwater Lighthouse was decommissioned in 1994 but the Harbor of Refuge (quite the name for a lighthouse, isn’t it) still flashes its beacon. Tours of the lighthouses are available in the summer. (www.delawarebaylights.com)
Perry Como sings a corny play on state names in Delaware. He croons “What did Della wear, boy?", "She wore a bran New Jersey." It’s not bad but not a song choice for me. Clive’s Delaware is more to my liking. His folkish tribute of returning home is my Delaware song.
My Delaware book choice, Loved Walked In by Marisa de los Santos, kept me entertained from SFO to ORD on my journey east. De los Santos teaches at University of Delaware and is a Delaware resident but this book was set in nearby Philadelphia. Despite it’s unfortunate “Harlequin romance-esque” title I really enjoyed the book. It’s a good read and all of the references to classic movies got me. I do take issue with a few plot points but will make sure to see the movie version when it comes out. Both Book Club Classics and Omnivoracious cite Loved Walked In.
http://bookclubclassics.com/Blog/2008/05/25/sunday-salon-love-walked-in/
http://bookclubclassics.com/Blog/2008/09/25/delawares-diva/
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