October 7th, 2010
“The Beach is a Narrow World between the waves and the land.”
The kind of day we had today in the Delmarva Peninsula was one in a million. Bright sunshine, no humidity, 70 degrees and all you wanted to do was to be outside. And, so I was. Dishes not in the dishwasher, beds not made; I really did not care. Soon enough fall will turn into winter and we will be more indoors.
I had not been in some time to the Nature Center located at 15099 Cape Henlopen Drive in Lewes, Delaware. Right inside the Cape Henlopen State Park.
It has a shop as well as a museum/aquarium. You can read about the tides and watch the different types of fish that live in our area.
There is also a “petting” tank. The horseshoe crab came right up to me the moment I approached the tank.
The Park and the Nature Center offer a variety of recreational and historic opportunities for all of us. There are also rental facilities for groups, conferences meetings or other events. It is open daily, year round from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. It will be closed Oct. 18th until Oct. 26th, Nov. 25th, Dec. 25th and Jan. 1st.
For information on programs please call 302-645-6852 or visit www.destateparks.com.
So this is what’s going on: Please note that until November there is an admission fee for the Park. $4 instate and $8 out of state.
Saturday, 10/9 – Kayak Rentals at the Fishing Pier – 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Renters must have paddling experience. Bring water and sunscreen. Closed-toe shoes are required. Solo paddlers must be 13 years or older. Paddlers 8 – 12 years old must be in a tandem kayak with a parent. For more info. call 302-645-6852. $15 per person per hour.
Saturday, 10/9 – Hawks of Cape Henlopen at 11 a.m. Learn how to identify some of our common birds of prey that migrate overhead each fall. Then take to the Hawk Watch and see them for yourself. Limited to 20 people and pre-registration is required by calling 302-645-6852. $2.00 per person.
Meet at the Seaside Nature Center.
I was at the Cape Henlopen State Park today and I could not believe how many hawks I saw.
Saturday, 10/9 – Creatures of the Coast at 2 p.m. See live animals and learn about some of the cool and amazing creatures that call Delaware Bay their home. Limited to 40. Meet at the Seaside Nature Center. $2.00 per person.
Saturday, 10/9 – Battery 519 Museum Tour. Location? Fort Miles. Fort Miles was a key part of the nation’s coastal defense during and after WWII. In April 2005, Fort Miles was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Directions: On arriving at Cape Henlopen State Park, follow the “Fort Miles” signs to the Historic Area parking lot. Walk the paved road through the Cantonment Area to the Orientation Building, the last large building on your right.
Pre-registration is required; call 302-645-6852.
This program will start at 2 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. A historical interpreter will give you a guided tour of a WWII coastal defense gun battery. See the updates and renovations to this historic site as you learn about the history of Fort Miles and the future plans for the Fort Miles Historic Area. Limited to 30. $5 per person.
Saturday, 10/9 – Campfire Circle: Night Skies at 6:30 p.m. Join them for stories and other campfire activities. Learn about constellations and be part of the stories they tell. Bring marshmallows and sticks for roasting!! For ages 5 and up. It is Free!!
Thursday, 10/14 – Fall on the Move. 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. They will read James Kaczman’s A Bird and His Worm. Learn why many animals are on the move during the fall.
Please take your 3 to 5 year old to the Seaside Nature Center for learning fun. Secrets of nature will be discovered through games, crafts, outdoor adventures and the books of popular children’s authors.
Children must be accompanied by an adult and dressed for the outdoors. Limited to 12 children. $3 per child.
This Program is offered on Thursdays until December 16th.
Saturday, 10/16 – Arachnophobia at 2 p.m. Get caught in a web of discovery while learning about our local spiders. They will teach you which ones to avoid and give you some great tips for sneaking up on them in the wild. For ages 5 and up. It is Free!!
Saturday, 10/16 – Hayrides through the Park. View the many wonders of Cape Henlopen from their hay wagon with a naturalist guide. Tickets go on sale at the Seaside Nature Center the morning of the trips on a first-come, first-served basis. For ages 8 and up.
Children must be accompanied by a paying adult. Maximum of 6 tickets per person. Limited to 18. $5/person.
Saturday, 10/16 – 5th Annual Wine, Cheese and Beer Tasting from 4 until 6 p.m. at the Officers Club. It is offered by the Friends of Cape Henlopen Events.
Tickets are available at the Park Office, Biden Center, Lewes Printing, Lewes Gourmet, Lewes Chamber of Commerce or call 302-858-6127. Please note that your ticket will be your entrance into the park.
Admission: $18 in advance or $24 at the door.
For more info. about Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park Events, volunteer projects or membership, please call 302-858-6127 or visit www.friendsofcapehenlopen.org.
Sunday, 10/17 – Salt Marsh Spur Trail (3 miles) – At 11 a.m. Join their naturalist on a guided hike along some of the scenic and interesting trails in the State. Call 302-645-6852 for directions, more info. and to pre-register. Meet at the Seaside Nature Center, and then drive to the respective trailheads. It is free.
Special Event
Friday, 10/22, Saturday, 10/23, Sunday, 10/24 – It is the 22nd Children’s Fantasy Trail. Friday and Saturday from 6 until 8:30 p.m. and Sunday from 6 until 7:30 p.m.
Take the kids (costumes are appreciated) to their 22nd Fantasy Trail. Trick-or-treat for candy and toys with your favorite storybook characters on their jack-o’lantern lined trail. Entertainment under the tent each evening will include singing, juggling, magic and more. $5 per person, adults and children.
Volunteers are Needed – To make this event better than ever you are needed. If you are interested in being a character or carving the many pumpkins that line the trail, please call the Volunteer Coordinator at 302-644-5005 or the Seaside Nature Center at 302-645-6852.
Can you believe it? The above are just a few of the many events that will be going on in the Delmarva Peninsula in the fall.
Have a good one!! Talk to you later….you know I will….
October 6th, 2010
You wonder if I am still blogging about the beaches. Of course, but I had a little detour and I do love checking other places out. So, my posts this past week have reflected that.
Last week I was in Baltimore and Susie and I took off for a long walk. By the way, Susie is my sister in law and an avid walker. We had a destination in mind, this being the One World Cafe but in order to get there and have breakfast we needed to walk close to 2 miles.
We took a trail called the Stony Run Trail. It was a beautiful autumn day. The Stony Run Trail follows the railroad bed of the former Baltimore & Delta/Maryland Central. Service began between Baltimore and Towson in 1882. Then in 1891 the Maryland Central merged to form the Baltimore & Lehigh Railroad, then to merge again to form the Ma & Pa in 1901, which was in service into the 1950’s.
There are no railroads running now on this beautiful trail that navigates through very pretty neighborhoods. The restoration of the Stony Run Stream has been completed and community involvement has been on-going to prevent erosion and to improve the condition of the trail. Native plants, trees and shrubs have been planted and the trail is used by walkers, runners, and bikers.
So, if you like to walk this trail is a “way to travel” in Roland Park. It connects a lot of great destinations in the northern Baltimore suburbs; to the Baltimore Museum of Arts, Johns Hopkins Campus, Charles Village, Roland Park, Hampden and Remington. If you are acquainted with Baltimore, then you know that all these neighborhoods are known for their wonderful restaurants and shops.
Finally we arrived at One World Cafe located at 100 W. University Parkway. Tel. 410-235-5777. Website is www.one-world-cafe.com. It is practically, across Johns Hopkins University.
One World Cafe reminded me of some of the restaurants that I visited in Boulder, Colorado. It was eclectic and bohemian.
Their motto? “Healthy vegetarian cuisine in a casual, eclectic atmosphere.”
One World Cafe serves organic and chemical free fruits, vegetables and whole grains, whenever possible.
Their menu reflect the vegan items; vegan desserts, fair trade organic coffee, organic wine, beer or local brews. The restaurant has a full service bar that is open until 2 a.m.
If you are someone that has a food allergy, this restaurant is very aware and sensitive to those with dietary limitations.
We were hungry but coffee was on my mind. I had one of the best cups of coffee in a long time. I should say a large cup of coffee. I like my coffee with a bold taste and it was rich and foamy and perfect!! The barista outdid himself. I told him so.
Next I ordered a Smoked Salmon Omelette, which had smoked salmon, red onion, tomato and capers. Served with multi grain bread. On the menu it stated that if you ate gluten free, then avoid the bread. Delicious.
I wanted to try the vegan meatless sausage patties and they were very good, as well.
Susie ordered the Blue Corn Cakes and she got 2 large pancakes served with butter and organic maple syrup.
She wanted to try the Fakin Bacon. She liked my sausage better but I liked the bacon just as much as the sausage.
Even though we only had breakfast, the dinner menu looked very interesting and I would love to come back and try some of their offerings.
I found the restaurant very comforting, a neighborhood restaurant where you can just stop by and have just a cup of coffee, read the paper sitting on one of the sofas, tables, or at the bar and have breakfast, just like we did.
One World Cafe is open Mondays through Saturdays from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. and on Sundays from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m.
Have a great day!!!…Talk to you later….
Note: Some of the information for my post was taken from www.stonyruntrail.com/pdf./WIAnews_June07.pdf.
October 5th, 2010
Cambridge, Maryland? Dorchester County? And, Why? It all started with a phone call and off I went to retrieve a friend from the airport in Baltimore. Well, you would have done the same, right? What are friends for?
I made a complete circle, leaving Rehoboth to Baltimore and on the way back I continued on Rt. 50 towards Salisbury, Maryland where Shelley’s car was parked. Don’t worry she stopped to get me my clams at Harris Crab House in Kent Island.
One of the towns on the Eastern Shore of Maryland is Cambridge. It is the county seat of Dorchester County. It is also one of the oldest towns in Maryland; settled in 1684.
Some years ago Hyatt built a hotel with an 18- hole championship golf course and marina. It is called Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina, located at 100 Heron Blvd. at Rt. 50, Cambridge, MD 21613. Tel. is 410-901-1234 and the website is www.chesapeakebay.hyatt.com.
I had never stopped to check this resort so as we were driving by we decided to do so. At first I kept thinking what would I do if I stayed in Cambridge? It is such a small town, afterall.
The hotel is located on a beautiful tract of land right on the Choptank River. Full service marina and a gorgeous golf course. From the outside the actual structure of the hotel was a little plain; inside it was very pretty.
If you are planning a get-a-way to this hotel check the website. It is pretty informative. The hotel is close to the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, the Dorchester Heritage Museum and the Annie Oakley House, among other museums. The nearby towns of Easton, Oxford and St. Michaels are very accessible. These towns offer history, restaurants, shops and beautiful scenery.
For more information on Cambridge, Maryland you may visit www.baydreaming.com/cambridge.htm.
The hotel has many services including restaurants, indoor and outdoor pools with water slide, shops, full service business center, babysitting/Camp Hyatt and others. But, one that caught my attention was the Pet Friendly/Kennels for hunting dogs.
This is a pet friendly hotel, definitely and for the rules and regulations regarding this service please visit the website, as well.
If you decide to bring that special dog the resort has gifts for your pet. Stillwater Spa carries a complete line of spa products made especially for your pup. The Lavender Detangle Spray, Soap on a Rope and Canine Robes are among the items available. What a life!!
I can see why this hotel has been very popular for weddings and conventions. Secluded, quiet with plenty of services and amenities. I was surprised to see it so crowded on a Tuesday.
As you can see from the pictures, it is definitely beautiful.
As we were leaving, I could not believe my eyes. So many wild turkeys!! They were crossing the road so I grabbed the camera for that last shot.
Talk to you later….you know I will……
October 4th, 2010
One of the things I like to do when I visit Baltimore, Maryland, is to try one of its many ethnic restaurants. I lived many years ago in Baltimore and have very good memories; working downtown and watching the Inner Harbor come alive.
I was spending the night in Baltimore last week and Susie, Pam and I decided to go to The Carlyle. This was the location of a Lebanese restaurant but it is now an Indian restaurant. It is located at 500 West University Parkway, Baltimore, MD 21210. Tel. 410-243-5424. It is on the first floor of an apartment building by the same name, a few blocks from John’s Hopkins University.
I thought the restaurant looked pretty; a little formal, we were properly dressed, promptly seated and I could not wait.
Indian Cuisine is about 5,000 years old. Cultural and geographical boundaries have changed, but its original identity has not been lost, it actually has become richer.
As you know, I live in Rehoboth Beach and we do have excellent restaurants but we are lacking an Indian one. So, any time I can go to one, it is great.
We started with an appetizer of Vegetable Cuddy. A cuddy is a widespread dressing in North India. Spicy but soft enough thanks to yogurt and flour. Can be used for salads and vegetables.
The cuddy is also considered an ancient ceremonial dish, served in temples throughout India. Vegetables fritters in a turmeric yogurt sauce.
I cannot even tell how good this appetizer was. I could just go and have this one as my meal.
The next appetizer was a Vegetable Samosa. A samosa is a stuffed pastry. It is usually a fried or baked triangular semi-lunar pastry shell with a filling consisting of either vegetables, ground beef or chicken. It is served with a chutney or curd.
My particular samosa was stuffed with potatoes and peas. It was good but I liked the cuddy better.
My choice for an entree was the Tamil Lamb Curry. The Tamil cuisine is from the South of India. Its distinct flavor and aroma is a combination of spices like, curry leaves, tamarind, coriander, fennel, and coconut, among others. It is one of the spiciest, oiliest and most aromatic cuisines in India.
Mine was a fiery lamb curry cooked with fennel, tomatoes, poppy seeds, lime, and a touch of coconut milk. I really liked it; the lamb was so tender.
Susie had the Shrimp Madrasi. Madras is a fairly hot curry sauce, red in color. It originated in the South of India; getting its name from the city of Madras. It goes well with all foods, and can be used in any stage of cooking; marinade, grill or finish. Easy to prepare, as well.
This dish had jumbo shrimp sauteed with garlic, ginger, chili, lime and fresh coriander.
Pam decided on the Bengan Bhartha. From Northern India, this is a vegetarian dish; roasted eggplants mashed and cooked with coriander, cumin, onions and tomatoes. Light and perfectly seasoned.
We decided to skip dessert. Can’t have it all.
All three dinners were served with rice and the side order is spinach. I tasted all the entrees and they had very distinct flavors.
I like the restaurant and would certainly go again.
Have a great day…..too much rain….talk to you later.
October 3rd, 2010
What a gorgeous day it was, yesterday, at the Delaware Beaches. I decided to go to Rehoboth and check out Cafe Papillon. Then, I encountered a multitude of people. Yes, they will be there today too looking for bargains on the sidewalks of Rehoboth Beach.
I had forgotten that this week-end was the sidewalk sale. Downtown merchants in Rehoboth clean out their stores and everything pretty much goes on sale.
No, it is not my thing. That’s probably why I did not give it too much thought. Anyway, I had to park two streets over south of Rehoboth Avenue.
Rehoboth is a small town so it was easy walking. Lots of people walking the Boardwalk, as well.
Cafe Papillon is located at the Penny Lane Mall, 42 Rehoboth Ave., Tel. 302-227-7568. Website is www.cafepapillon.com. The Penny Lane Mall is a small alley full of shops that connects Rehoboth Ave. with Wilmington Ave.
Cafe Papillon is right in the middle of the mall. It is an authentic French Cafe and if you speak French, well, you will be right at home.
On one side you will find the patisserie where French baked goods are sold. Salads and sandwiches are sold there as well. Coffee and Beverages? On that side also. Everything is made in-house.
I was gazing at the tropezienne, fruits tarts and eclairs, but just got coffee. I was waiting for my crepe.
A tropezienne is a creme tart that takes a long time to prepare. It was developed in St. Tropez using local ingredients.
The creperie is on the other side and it is strictly for the purpose of ordering and cooking the crepes right there in front of you.
Different crepes were ordered. One was a ham, cheese and tomato and the other an egg, smoked salmon and tomato. I was watching him make the crepes and at the same time I wondered what he thought I was doing. Every time he added an ingredient I took a picture. He really did not mind, he told me so.
I could not wait to eat it. Outdoors at the cafe was perfect; a sunny, cool, autumn day it was. Sitting al fresco, enjoying our breakfast made us feel we were somewhere else and not one block off the Atlantic Ocean.
Of course, we had to have a dessert crepe. The suggestion was the Nutella and Banana Crepe. Nutella is a hazelnut base spread very popular in Europe and I think fairly popular here in the States, as well.
The combination of the fruit and the spread was delicious.
Just as we finished we took off for a long walk; had to. I don’t need to explain why.
Have a great day!! Talk to you later….
Note: Cafe Papillon is only open on week-ends now until October 17th and then is until next year. Another thing to remember is that they only accept cash.
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