It’s time to write one of the most enjoyable blog posts of the year, spotlighting all of the wonderful things to do during the winter holiday season all around The First State. It’ll probably amount to two posts since the list is so extensive.

Earlier I had the pleasure of posting about ways to simplify Thanksgiving by dining at a restaurant or ordering all kinds of dishes from restaurants and grocery stores offering carry-out options. This post is even more fun for everyone who wants to cook a little less and enjoy all kinds of wonderful cuisine throughout the off-season months at the beach. 

It's hard to believe that I have been living in Delaware for nearly 25 years. My first visit here was way back in 1991, and by 1999, I made the decision to make this place my permanent home. The main reason behind my move was for a fresh start. I was looking for new opportunities and a change of scenery. Delaware seemed like the perfect place for that.  Before that, I've lived in a few different places like Pennsylvania, The Netherlands, New Mexico, South Korea, and Maryland.

Cape Henlopen is front and center of my radar since we live about a mile away and we take our dog for a long walk there just about every single day.  But regardless of where you live you’re never too far from other parks and nature preserves that are likewise protected. Even better, the Delaware State Parks Web site https://destateparks.com/ spotlights an astounding array of experiences you can enjoy – from paranormal adventures to Autumn-specific nature and cultural events to the perfect camp site or gathering place. Here are a few especially cool ones.

I’ve done a few posts about fun events highlighted in the Fall Festivals Guide https://www.capegazette.com/center/fall-festivals-2023/263774, including the Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival https://www.rehobothjazz.com/ and True Blue Jazz Festival https://www.truebluejazz.org/, but realized I could probably blog every day for a month if I tried [...]

I’m astounded at the array of talent coming to the beach for this year’s events and – equally important – because these events sell out very quickly. If you love music and appreciate soulful vocals, soft and rumbling beats and a touch of the avant-garde, I hope you’ll check out the master schedules and plan ahead for some wonderful experiences taking place at several different venues, including the Cape Henlopen Performing Arts Center, the Rusty Rudder, the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center and other locations in Rehoboth and Lewes. 

When asked to “picture” autumn, many people will describe goblets of red wine alongside comforting dinners and fiery orange, yellow and burgundy mums decorating our doorsteps. But if you live in Delaware’s rural or waterside communities there’s also a wonderful feeling as you notice the golden softening of the light, the feel of cool breezes on your face and the exciting array of activities and events happening every day. 

With New Legislation, Cape Henlopen Will Continue to be a Natural Wonder

I’ve written often about all of the wonderful reasons to spend time at Cape Henlopen State Park (https://www.activeadultsdelaware.com/blog/posts/2023/07/14/wherever-you-are-cape-henlopen-state-park-is-a-wonderful-getaway/), and virtually every post has emphasized its vast acreage filled with natural wonders. The forests filled with aromatic pines. The marshlands that can be traversed by raised biking and hiking trails. Gordon’s Pond, which brims with wildlife. And miles of a shoreline stretching from Delaware Bay to the Atlantic Ocean, with multiple places to swim, fish, and simply enjoy the views.

Wherever You Are, Cape Henlopen State Park is a Wonderful Getaway

Getting there is easy, even in the summer if you know when to go. If you’re up north it’s probably a 90-minute drive on a weekday and much faster if you’re mid-state or downstate and also able to go during the week. Once you go through the gates from the Lewes side at the end of Cape Henlopen Drive, or on the Rehoboth side near Henlopen Acres https://destateparks.com/wwwroot/maps/cape-henlopen/CapeHenlopenMap.pdf, you’ll find all kinds of ways to enjoy the sand and surf, biking and walking trails, and WWII history as well. Here are some highlights:

The post was timely because so many of our clients are retired or semi-retired and yearning for lots of leisure time as opposed to yard-maintenance time. Many want to enjoy active days with less time on our increasingly busy roads. The really great news is that builders are responding in a big way to this demographic, as you can see when you visit the communities spotlighted at our Web site.