June 24th, 2013

Bethany Beach, Delaware, Out & About in The Quiet Resort, Top 10 Best Beaches for Families, Coastal Delaware, Delaware Beaches, Southern Delaware, Summer of 2013

Bethany Beach, Delaware, was founded by members of the Christian Church, also known as the Disciples of Chirst, of Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania.  “Bethany still reflects the character of the early settlers who were looking for a haven of rest for quiet people.”

Bethany is quiet during the winter months and residents love it that way.  It is a time to recharge and enjoy this beautiful coastal town in Southern Delaware.  For many years I was one of those residents.  My children’s playground was Bethany Beach.  Family Vacation Critic has named Bethany Beach as one of the 10 Best Beaches for Families for 2013.

When you arrive in Bethany, “Chief Little Owl” will be welcoming you to the town.  The original statue was created by Peter Wolf Toth, who in his own way wanted to give thanks to the U.S.  I remember him working on his statue, carving away, for months in the early 1970s.  He created more than 50 wooden sculptures of famous Indans and donated at least one to every state.  “Chief Little Owl” pays honor to the Nanticoke nation.  The first statue stood in that spot until 1992, but was destroyed by high winds.  The newest version was created also by Peter Toth, from a red cedar log from the Pacific Northwest which should last from 50 to 150 years.

Bethany Beach has a Sister City….Periers, France.  Periers is located in the northwest of France just a few miles from the Normandy beaches, on which the allied armies came to the rescue of France on June 6, 1944.  The citizens of Periers, who were liberated from German oppression on July 27, 1944 have welcomed American solders and their family members who have visited the town for these many years.  On the sign you can see the seal of each town shown linked together by “twinned in friendship”.  The sign is located on Garfield Parkway.

You have to give credit where credit is due….Thanks to Melinda who has beautified the Town of Bethany Beach.  Digging, planting, weeding, maintaining, it is a full time job.  The town looks awesome!

Right by the Totem Pole, at the intersection of Garfield Parkway & Rt. 1, you will find the office for the Town Hall.  The Bethany Beach History Museum is located in the foyer of the Town Hall.  The exhibits contain memorabilia and photographs from the Bethany Beach area.  Admission to the Museum is free of charge.  It opens weekdays throughout the year from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.  During Sundays, in the months of July and August, it will open from Noon until 3 p.m.

The Town Park is adjacent to the Town Hall.  It gets hot at the beach, so this park is the perfect place to take a break; where you can sit, relax, and even work on your computer.  It is wireless and it is smoke free.

If you are a resident of Bethany or you are vacationing, please note that on Sundays, from 8 a.m. until Noon the Farmers’ Market will be right by the parking lot of the PNC Bank on Garfield Parkway and Atlantic Ave.  You cannot miss it, because Garfield Parkway is Main Street.

Bethany Beach is a very walkable town because is not very big.  You can go from the beach, to shop, eat, relax at the Town Park, or take the kids to the playground, or play basketball, all within a couple of blocks.

The perfect way to go out and about in Bethany is with your bike. You will find plenty of spaces to park it.

But, the Trolley will take you all through town and beyond.  It runs from Memorial Day through mid September, continuously, between 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.  Please note that the last pick  up on Atantic and Garfield is at 9:45 p.m.  On the half hour starting at 9:30 a.m.  Please note that during a lunch break or dinner break there may be little or no service daily from 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  You can flag the Trolley down anywhere along the route for pick up or discharge, except on Rt. 26 and Rt. 1.  No pick-up or drop-ff on Jefferson Bridge or Rt. 26.  With a trolley far of only $.25 each way, you know you cannot beat that.  Also, the driver does not make change, so have your quarter ready. For more info, please call 302-539-8011 or check the schedule by visiting http://www.townofbethanybeach.com/index.zspx?nid=268.

It was great to see Bethany so crowded, because after a quiet winter it was as if it was screaming….Look at Me Now!!  Garfield Parkway was full of visitors, and so was the Boardwalk….the beaches?  Everywhere you looked the umbrellas were up.

All streets in Downtown Bethany Beach lead to the beach….make sure you read all the beach regulations.

The weather for this first official week of the Summer of 2013 continues to be fantastic.  It almost makes you forget all the rain we have had lately.  Enjoy the beach, kick back and relax….that’s what you are here for!!

Note:  Some of the info. for this post was taken from http://townofbethanybeach.com.

May 28th, 2011

Trolleys, Bethany Beach, Transportation, Best Deal in Bethany Beach, Beats the Meters!!

Thank God I did not have to experience it.  Mayhem in Bethany Beach because residents and visitors could not find the parking meters.  Several people got tickets left and right.  Finally, after enough complaints signs were put up informing the public where to go and what to do.

Meters are so expensive at the Delaware Beaches.  In Bethany Beach all meters are $1.50 per hour in quarter increments.  A quarter gives you 10 minutes.

Garfield Parkway, which is the Main Drag, as some of us call it, and the business area, have blue meters.  Please note that these meters have a 2-hour limit on the meter.  But, the meters can be replenished.

The rest of the meters are grey.  These ones have an 8-hour limit.

Having said all that, why don’t you just take the Bethany Beach Trolley.  It is so cheap.  $.25 each way is what you’ll pay and someone else is driving you.  The Town of Bethany Beach has 2 trolleys.

The trolleys run from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.  The last pick up on Atlantic and Garfield is at 9:45 p.m.

You can flag down the trolleys anywhere along the route for pick or discharge.  The only exception is that they will not do any loading or unloading on Rt. 26 and Rt. 1.  The same goes for Jefferson Bridge Rd.  These are busy roads and I can see why. 

On a daily basis there will be little or no service from 12:30 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. and from 7:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.  These drivers need lunch and dinner breaks.

To check the Trolley Schedule all you have to do is visit www.townofbethanybeach.com and then under services scroll down to Trolley.  If you need more info., please call 302-539-8011. 

If you are near any of those routes or within walking distance, my suggestion is use the Trolleys.  You won’t regret it.

Please remember that you are at the beach….kick back and relax…