June 21st, 2012
Vacationing in..Rehoboth Beach, On Gordons Pond, Cape Henlopen State Park, Whiskey Beach, WWII Towers, Standing Guard, Ghosts from Years Past, Delaware Beaches
It was the way the sun was setting about 10 days ago. I still remember because I was in Downtown Rehoboth Beach when I took off for Gordons Pond in a north section of town also known as North Shores and Whiskey Beach. It is part of Delaware State Park. The beach on that side of town is quiet and even though it does have a colorful past; it is, definitely, a family beach.
No guard was at the gate so I just went through. I was not even dressed for my hike on the beach. I don’t know what got into me; I wanted to see the WWII Towers. It’s so funny because these towers don’t change. They have been standing there as ghosts; guarding as they have been doing for so many years.
I started walking; pocketbook on hand through the path cars take when parking on the beach. Don’t ask me why. I could have gone by the water’s edge. But, I wanted a different view.
The sand was a little deep and I was wondering how much farther I would have to walk.
Finally, there they were. They looked so gorgeous, imposing, and majestic.
Eight of the 11 towers built along the Delaware and New Jersey coastlines during WWII are, here, on our Delaware Beaches; 3 in New Jersey. Tower 1 is in South Bethany. Tower 2 is south of the Indian River Bridge, Tower 3 and 4 are in Dewey Beach, and 5 and 6 are on Whiskey Beach. The 7th tower is in Lewes and the 8th in Broadkill Beach.
The towers were used as artillery spotting locations. Our military would coordinate artillery fire on enemy ships off our coast from the towers.
Some of the towers have different heights and some of them have only 2 viewing slits, while others have 3 or 4. You could also see about 14 1/2 miles into the Atlantic.
It was believed that after Pearl Harbor, the Delaware Beaches were in danger. In 1941 the German U-boats were sinking an average of a ship per week.
Note: There is a book written by William C. Grayson called Delaware’s Ghost Towers, The Coast Artillery’s Forgotten Last Stand During the Darkest Days of WWII. You can get it on Amazon.
Also, more info. on the WWII Towers can be obtained by visiting www.bethany-beach.net/world_war_ii_towers.htm.
A couple of people were still at the beach. It was not the perfect beach day. A little too windy and choppy.
I walked down Whiskey Beach and thought if there was any truth to its name. They say it is called Whiskey Beach because in the 1920s, during Prohibition, this beach was a rendevous for rumrunners. Others say it had been a place for soldiers to party while stationed at Fort Miles up the road with nobody to bother them.
State Law prohibits pets swimming or sunbathing on the beach but past the northern jetty, they are allowed.
It is, definitely, colorful and a conversation piece.
Gordons Pond is on this part of the Delaware State Park, as well. It was getting too late, so I only walked for a short time. Gordons Pond is one of 4 migration “super highways” in North America. A popular resting spot for a wide variety of waterfowls. Other wildlife is pretty abundant by the edges of the pond.
So, when you are visiting Rehoboth Beach and the downtown beaches are a little too crowded, head towards the Park on the north side of Downtown Rehoboth Beach. More info? Please visit www.destateparks.com.
Have a Good One!! Talk to you later.
Tags: Activities, Delaware, Delaware Beaches, Delaware State Park, Discovering Rehoboth Beach, Gordons Pond, North Shores, rehoboth beach, Summer 2012 in Rehoboth Beach, Sussex County, Things to do at the beach, Touring Rehoboth Beach, Visiting Rehoboth Beach, What to do at the beaches, Whiskey Beach, WWII Towers
