October 26th, 2012
Rehoboth Beach, Magical History Tour, Rehoboth Beach Museum, The Jolly Trolley, The Bake Shoppe, Kicking Off Sea Witch Festival, Downtown Rehoboth Beach, Delaware Beaches
What a difference!! The weather today in Rehoboth Beach is like night and day. Gorgeous to say the least. It was also the perfect day to kick off the Sea Witch festivities. I was going to do so with a “Magical History Tour” of downtown Rehoboth Beach.
First things first. A stop at The Bake Shoppe, located on Rehoboth Ave. A little coffee and a most delicious pumpkin muffin. If you are in Rehoboth, please stop by. This particular one was crunchy on top and so warm, moist and full of flavor. Coffee was great too.
I was waiting outside with the others, when the Jolly Trolley Bus arrived. The Jolly Trolley originated in 1970. It celebrates and shares the sights, smells, colors and characteristics of the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach resort area. The Jolly Trolley is also a year round charter service. Please call 302-227-1197, and 302-249-1605 for information. You can also visit http://www.jollytrolley.com.
Christine Hastings, Jolly Trolley, Vice President, and I believe part owner, was going to be our Driver. George Palmer was going to be our Tour Guide.
I went into the bus last and, of course, a picture was taken of my fellow Jolly Riders!! Guess what? I did not know one single person.
Since I started my blog over 3 years ago, I have learned so much about our area. Believe me, Rehoboth Beach and the Delaware Beaches, in general, are a great place to live. That’s why they are so easy to promote. I don’t take them for granted.
In order to know how far Rehoboth Beach has come, you need to unlock that past. The Rehoboth Beach Museum is a non-profit organization dedicated “to encouraging and promoting public knowledge of and participation in the preservation of the history, culture, architecture and special character of Rehoboth Beach”. It is not a big museum but the information will show you the progression of a town that is also known as the Nation’s Summer Capital.
The Rehoboth Beach Museum is located by the roundabout, adjacent to the Visitors Center and the Chamber of Commerce, at 511 Rehoboth Avenue. Website? http://www.rehobothbeachmuseum.org. Exhibits, programs and entertainment are part of the Museum, as well. Check the website for upcoming events.
George Palmer was the perfect Tour Guide. His information was full of history given in a simple way and adding local color.
We stopped at the Anna Hazzard Museum. This is one of the original “tent” buildings dating to the 1870s. It reflects the early history of Rehoboth Beach.
Mr. Palmer told us that we used to grow a lot of peaches in Delaware. Delaware, afterall, is an agricultural state. Chickens? Well, he told us that Delaware sells more chickens than anyone in the world.
The magnolia trees are beautiful in this area. This is the farthest north they grow.
And, we started laughing when he asked if anyone had worn wool bathing suits? Well, he had. They were itchy too. There was a time that men had to wear tops too at the beach.
Also, funny was when he mentioned that residents in Lewes consider Lewes with history, but Rehoboth Beach? Oh well, they just have a past.
A drive by parallel to the beach. I took this picture from the inside of the bus. The ocean looked so pretty with the sun’s reflection.
We went by the Village Improvement Association of Rehoboth Beach. At present, it is being rebuilt. This association, also known as the VIA is a”charitable, non-profit organization, founded in 1909. It promotes the interests, improvements and progress of the Rehoboth Beach community. They perform charitable and civic work in and around the Rehoboth Beach area. Its member are women of diverse interests, talents and backgrounds. And, Mr. Palmer said that if you want to have something done in Rehoboth Beach, these are the women that can make it happen. Hmmm…by the way, his wife belongs to it. For more information, please visit http://www.rehobothbeachvia.org.
I recommend this tour to anyone visiting or to some of our locals and natives that might need a refresher course on Downtown Rehoboth Beach. It is only 40 minutes long; you’ll still have time for the beach, shopping and eating.
After the tour I continued walking around Downtown Rehoboth Beach. The shops were getting ready for a busy week-end….I hope Sandy lets visitors enjoy Sea Witch.
A stop at the Rehoboth Beach Post Office…the postal workers were ready!!
The beach looked gorgeous. A sunny and clear day.
The Boardwalk was again, filling up with people soaking up the sun.
And, then my last stop was Lake Gerar. Autumn at its best!! Lake Gerar, along with Silver Lake and Lake Comegys, is one of the 3 fresh water lakes closest to the ocean than anywhere in the country. These lakes are the jewels of Rehoboth Beach!!
I almost forgot…thanks for the water, Jolly Trolley!! Have a great week-end!!
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