September 20th, 2018
In June of 2013 I got curious about the 2 lighthouses located between Lewes, Delaware and Cape May, New Jersey. Writing a blog about the Delaware Beaches and beyond gives me so much information. Information that I can pass on to you. The Delaware Beaches are year round resorts and there is plenty to do if you choose to do so, or nothing at all if you just want to relax. I went on a tour this summer with the Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation. This organization is dedicated to the preservation of the Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse. When I first visited you could not step out off the boat and go inside the lighthouse. We actually then went inside the East End Lightouse. More about that one in another post. Since then there has been a lot of restoration to the Harbor of Refuge, and this summer they opened it for tours.
The Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation can be contacted by calling 302-644-7046. The website is http://www.delawarebaylights.org/
My friend, Sharon, who is a true local, and very proud of it, had never visited the lighthouses but always wanted to. We arrived at the Cape-May Lewes Ferry Terminal in Lewes. That’s is where we would be picked up. Arriving a little early we decided to have something to eat at the outdoor bar/restaurant called On the Rocks. Best view and great burgers, as well.
Finally, the boat arrived and Sharon and I were ready.
The Cape-May Lewes Ferry was just coming in but our main goal was to get to the historic and iconic Harbor of Refuge.
It was one of those beautiful days in Delmarva and Cape Henlopen looked awesome.
The keeper of this lonely offshore lighthouse. It was hard work. Storms were relentless and waves would reach all the way up the lighthouse. We first passed the East End Lighthouse. But, we had to continue to our destination.
The Delaware Breakwater along with the lighthouses are engineer marvels of the 19th century. They were the first strucures of the kind built in the Western Hemisphere. In 1976, the Delaware Breakwater, the East End Lighthouse and the Harbor of Refuge Light Station were inducted into the National Register of Historic Places as the Nation’s first offshore Historic District.
The imposing Harbor of Refuge was in front of us. We got off the boat and climbed the stairs to the different levels where the Keeper lived. Docents are able to give you all the information you need. The most important thing is the feeling you get of what would be like to “walk in the steps of the Lightkeeper”.
The Harbor of Refuge’s dock has been restored. So much work in raising funds to maintain this historic lighthouse. The dock has been dedicated to Red Moulinier, President of the Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation for his time and efforts. The lighthouse still has more renovations on the way along with maintenance. It has been painted and it looks beautiful.
From the top of the lighthouse the views are unbelievable as you can imagine. At times, dolphins and mantas pass by.
By visiting the website above mentioned you will be able to see what tours they will have next year. Also check the sunset tours. You will not go inside the lighthouses but will circle around them for those Kodak moments. Tours book quickly and, of course, it also depends on the weather. This weekend they have tours on Saturday, but they are already sold out. For more info. you may call Red at 302-226-3866. There is also a button on the website for donations. Every little bit helps.
If you would like to see my other posts on these lighthouses, with photos, please visit my website at http://www.aboutmybeaches.com.
Have a great time this weekend. The beginning of Fall!!
By the way, lots of locals on this tour. We had fun!!
October 3rd, 2014
Lewes, Delaware is Sussex County’s northernmost coastal town. It was founded in 1631 and it is the oldest settlement in Delaware. That’s why the nickname of “The First Town in The First State” is so well known.
Lewes is in the perfect location in Southern Delaware. It provides access to the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean. I don’t know if you know that in 2006 Lewes was selected by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of America’s “Dozen Distinctive Destinations”.
It is a year round community and the town does look good all the time. Plenty of shops, restaurants, activities and entertainment for the residents and visitors alike.
So, What’s Going On Lewes?
FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY, 10/3, 10/4, 10/5 – LEWES MERCHANTS’ FALL SIDEWALK SALE – Sales galore, plenty of bargains, not only in Lewes, but in Rehoboth Beach, and Dewey Beach, as well. You would not believe, people do plan for these sales at the beach. Great time to enjoy a fall week-end and grab those essentials. Stores surrounding the Lewes Commercial Historic District will be ready!! I hope you are too and the stores do open at 10 a.m.
SATURDAY, 10/4 – LEWES IN BLOOM’S FALL PLANT SALE – 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at 2nd & Banks Streets in front of the Citizens Bank. Lewes looks so nice with the help of this organization. The sales of tulips and other flowering plants at this time of the year, and member-grown plants, as well help fund their horticultural efforst in the City of Lewes. http://www.lewesinbloom.org.
SATURDAY, 10/4 – VOLUNTEER TRAIL DAY – CAPE HENLOPEN STATE PARK – 9:00 a.m. until Noon. Join Friends of Cape Henlopen as they clean up and work to maintain the park’s trails used by so many year round. More info? Please call 302-644-5005.
SATURDAY, 10/4 – LEWES FALL CRAFT FAIR – 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Historical Complex at Second & Shipcarpenter Streets in Downtown Lewes. Admission is $5.00 per person and children under 12 are Free. Proceeds from this event will benefit the educational and preservation programs at the Society. Buildings in the Historical Complex will be open to the public. Live music from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. by New & Used Bluegrass Band. Delicious food by Casa Amici…cold treats by Vitale’s Italian Ice. This is a well attended Craft Fair with usually around 3,000 visitors coming to the town. For more information, please visit http://www.historiclewes.org.
SATURDAY, 10/4 – DELAWARE BREAKWATER KAYAK ECO-TOURS – 10 a.m. until Noon – 2-hour tours for beginner paddlers, but can be strenous. Equipment will be provided. Bring drinking water and sunscreen. No flip-flops. Single and tandem kayaks available. Solo paddlers must be at least 13. Under 18 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Limit 10. Pre-registration is required by calling 302-645-6852. $25 for solo and $35 for tandem. Location? Cape Henlopen State Park, 15099 Cape Henlopen Dr. in Lewes.
SATURDAY, 10/4 – HIKE THE POINT – 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. 2 Miles!! Explore the natural and cultural history of this ever-changing spit of land. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. Ages 7 and up with an adult. Pre-registration is necessary, so please call 302-645-6852. It is FREE!! Location? Cape Henlopen State Park, 15099 Cape Henlopen Drive.
SATURDAY, 10/4 – 19th ANNUAL BOAST THE COAST MARITIME FESTIVAL – Maritime-themed activities throughout the day. This event is presented by the Lewes Chamber of Commerce, http://www.leweschamber.com. Activities at the 1812 Park and the City Dock will begin at 11 a.m. Boat Tours at the City Dock will begin at 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. New Jersey’s Tall Ship, the A.J. Meerwald returns for this event, offering free tours, along with Wilmington’s newest Fire Boat. The Boat Parade will be held at 4 p.m. Seafood Tasting at 1812 Park, will begin at lunch time. Entertainment at the 1812 Park at the Family Fun Tent with Flumpa, the Tree Frog musical show, and Chuckles the Clown’s pirate-themed magic show. The Lewes Historical Society’s Maritime History Museum, located at the Cannonball House on Front Street will be open for tours, and The Lightship Overfalls at Canalfront Park on Front will be open for free tours, as well.
SATURDAY, 10/4 – ZWAANENDAEL MUSEUM MARITIME PROGRAM – 2 p.m. Location? At the museum on the corner of King’s Highway and Savannah Rd. in Lewes.
SATURDAY, 10/4 – CAMPFIRE CIRCLE: NIGHT SOUNDS AT CAPE HENLOPEN STATE PARK – 6 P.M. UNTIL 7 P.M. – Enjoy the stories and the activities out about nocturnal animals. Bring marshmallows and sticks for roasting after the program. Ages 5 and up with an adult. Meet at the campground amphitheater. Cape Henlopen State Park, 15099 Cape Henlopen Dr. in Lewes. More info? Call 302-645-6852. It is FREE!!
SUNDAY, 10/5 – CLASSIC CAR SHOW AT THE CAPE MAY-LEWES FERRY TERMINAL – Staging will begin at 7:30 a.m. but the show will start at 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Proceeds will benefit breast cancer awareness and will be donated to Cape Regional Breast Cancer Services and Beebe’s Tunnell Cancer Care. More info? Please visit http://www.cmlf.com
SUNDAY, 10/5 – COAST DAY – 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Each year Coast Day is presented by The University of Delaware, and sponsored by UD’s College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment and the Delaware Sea Grant College Program. Admission and parking are free. Location? UD’s Hugh R. Sharp Campus, 700 Pilottown Rd., in Lewes. Those in attendance will be able to interact with researchers, tour ships, try hands-on activities, and attend presentations on a wide range of topics. Family friendly activities will be: an event-wide treasure hunt for answers to questions about the environment and Coast Day exhibits. Children can meet sea-dwelling animals such as horseshoe crabs and dogfish sharks at the critter touch tanks. Live music, vendor displays, and seafood favorites…..food, including the Crab Cake Cook-Off and the Seafood Chowder Challenge!!
TGIF…..Have fun!!
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