March 28th, 2013
In the 1900’s getting to Bethany Beach was a traveling adventure. First you had to take off for Rehoboth Beach by railroad, continue by boat; crossing the Rehoboth and Indian River bays, keep on going to the Assawoman Canal, then by a 2-horse drawn bus. It was exhausting. Later on, in 1910, it was made a little easier with the dredging of the Loop Canal. You could then, travel by boat from Rehoboth Beach and be dropped off right in town.
In 2010 the Loop Canal celebrated its centennial. Hopefully, when you visit Bethany, you will have a time to stop and reflect on how easy it was for you to get there; the others took the long trip to this coastal town that since those days, still maintains that family atmosphere.
I think I can talk about Bethany Beach because from 1981 until 2000, I lived in Bethany. My children’s playground? That’s right….Downtown Bethany Beach!! The town was a little different then; no alcohol, no pharmacy, and one grocery store; Gerald’s. We, the residents did not know how to act when some of those things you take for granted made their first appearance. Guess what? It was not missed. We either went to Rehoboth Beach or Ocean City, Maryland.
Bethany Beach and Fenwick are considered quiet resorts. I must admit that in the winter they are a bit quieter than Lewes and Rehoboth Beach. Come summer, these towns are popular resort towns at the Delaware Beaches.
Living at the Delaware Beaches is living stress free. It is definitely a care free lifestyle. It is enhanced by the fact that Delaware has low property taxes and no sales tax. The weather? Actually, it is pretty good too.
Tidewater Realty has had a presence in Bethany Beach since 1988. Broker of Record, John Merryman, has been selling Bethany and Delaware since the mid 70’s. Tidewater Realty is located at 32892 Coastal Highway (Rt.1) in the Starboard Center. Plenty of parking with easy access from Coastal Highway (Rt.1). Tel. 302-539-7500. Website? http://www.tidewaterrealty.com
Tidewater Realty takes pride in the personal attention they give their clients. The lifestyle they sell is priceless!
One of the few lots available for sale in Bethany Beach is located at 313 Parkwood St. This is a 40 x 125 lot. It is $599,000. The future owner of this lot could build a 4,000 square foot home on this lot. It is not in a flood zone and only 2 1/2 blocks from the beach, the shops, the restaurants, and the center of Bethany Beach.
The street is quiet and it is a semi-dead end street.
Let’s walk to the beach!
Parkwood Street looking east. Beach is at the end.
Crossing Rt. 1. To the left is the town.
You are almost there.
At the end of Parkwood..the ramp to the Boardwalk.
Parkwood Street is also the end of the Boardwalk.
Now, where should we park ourselves?
To the south of the Boardwalk?
Or, should we just place our beach chairs on the north side? Decisions, decisions!!
Tons of beach, or, just walk the Boardwalk.
The Bandstand in Bethany Beach is the life of the town. Summer concerts, gatherings or just people watching. Ice cream, French fries..the works, is all there within walking distance.
From the Bandstand, the beach continues; never ending. Looks like fun, doesn’t it? Nothing better! Even as I write this post I remember sitting at the beach all day long with the kids.
All streets in Downtown Bethany Beach lead to the beach…At this time of year…surprise, surprise!! Who do we have here going to the beach?
July 22nd, 2012
This is so interesting…Did you know that prior to the 1950s, no railroad came to Bethany Beach? You would have to travel by train to Baltimore, Maryland, spend the night there, then, travel by boat across the Chesapeake Bay to the Delmarva Peninsula and by train across the peninsula to Rehoboth Beach. Still, you had to board a steamer, prior to 1910, called Atlantic, across Rehoboth Bay and Indian River Bay to Ocean View, then, on horse drawn carriage to Bethany Beach.
On July 1910, the Loop Canal was completed in Bethany Beach, therefore, you could take the motorboat Allie May. In 1912 the Helen Marie II replaced Allie May, to dock at the town itself. Exhausting to say the least!!
Bethany Beach is still considered a Quiet Resort. The town gets so packed in the summer and then, a well deserved rest through the winter. The Second Season brings a lot of visitors; it is one of the best times of the year.
The best way to travel through Bethany Beach is by taking the Trolley. It is the best deal in town. Can you believe that it is still $.25 each way? The driver does not make change so make sure you have quarters. It is in service through mid September from 9:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. Last pick up at Atlantic & Garfield is at 9:45 p.m.
You can flag down the Trolley along the routes for pick up and discharge except on Rt. 26 & Rt. 1. For more info., please visit http://www.townofbethanybeach.com, then click on Services and scroll down to Trolley.
Life in our small coastal towns revolves, in the summer, around the Boardwalk and the Bandstand. The Bethany Beach Boardwalk, along with the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk were named in the top Boardwalks of the United States.
Performances at The Bandstand: Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. unless noted. Hot line is 302-539-5484
Sunday, 7/22 – Dialtones – Rock n’ Roll from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. Check http://www.thefabulousdialtones.com
Monday, 7/23 – Movie at 8:30 p.m., Zookeeper. It is rated PG.
Friday, 7/27 – U.S. Navy Cruisers – This is the premier U.S. Navy’s contemporary entertainment ensemble. The name comes from the Navy’s versatile, flexible, multi-missioned ship, The Cruiser. Genres of music range from jazz and standards, rhythm and blues, classic rock, adult contemporary, and original material.
Saturday, 7/28 – City of Fairfax Band – This band is from Northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C. area. The musicians come from varying musical backgrounds. Performers are from all walks of life; they share the love of music.
Sunday, 7/29 – Sir Rod – Rod Stewart Tribute. Tommy Edward as Sir Rod Stewart. Check http://www.tommyedward.com.
All that Boardwalk Grub, which is what we all love during the summer months, can cause havoc on your exercise routines. Don’t worry because Bethany Beach has summer exercise classes right on the beach and the Bandstand.
Bethany Beach Yoga at Sunrise from 6 to 7 a.m. until September 16th. No class on Thursdays. Instructors: Georgette Rhoads and Pat Wood. There is a drop in fee. Tel. 302-448-0563. More info? http://www.bethanybeachyoga.org.
Tai Chi on The Bandstand from 7:15 to 8:15 a.m. until Labor Day. Classes on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Instructor: Jim Mace. There is a drop in fee. Tel. 302-363-4509. E-mail mace12@juno.com.
Power Yoga on the Beach from 7 to 8 a.m. on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday. Location? Garfield Beach (by the Bandstand) Drop in fee. Instructor: Natalie Griffin. Tel. 860-617-1933.
Wednesday, 7/25 and Thursday, 7/26, is the 21st Annual Beach and Bay Cottage Tour. Tickets are $30 and are available online, at the Bethany-Fenwick Chamber of Commerce in Fenwick, at the South Coastal Library in Bethany Beach. Tel 302-537-5828. The Cottage tour benefits The Friends of the South Coastal Library, which was founded in 1988 to provide support for the services and resources of the Library. Please check the website for more info. and to see the Cottages that will be on the tour. http://www.beachandbaycottagetour.com
Note: Every Sunday, from 8 a.m. until Noon the Bethany Beach Farmers’ Market can be found at the PNC Parking lot, right in town. Only on Sundays and until Sept. 5th.
Have fun in Bethany!! Talk to you later….
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