Travels

For the past decade, I've been taking three-day jaunts to the Delaware shore during the shoulder seasons (Spring and Fall). This time, I decided to take the camera along. Here, the view from Dewey Beach north towards Rehoboth Beach.

South of Dewey Beach, the beach houses end, and protected, undeveloped shore begins.

The Atlantic View Hotel, my home away from home.

It's off-season. You're on your own.

During the off-season, houses are boarded up or are undergoing renovation. I spent a drunken weekend in this house 25 years ago with some coworkers. I have a dim recollection of sleeping on the roof deck.

Absent an Atlantic storm, the surf is usually gentle.

There are some nice little beach houses along the Rehoboth boardwalk. At a minimum, $5 million.

Morning walkers on the mile-long boardwalk.

Not many people on the beach.

Playland. I've never seen it open, and can only guess what's behind the green doors.

Opportunities for fine dining abound.

The corner of the boardwalk and Rehoboth Avenue, the heart of the action.

Fun for the whole family.

Candy, french fries, and frozen custard, the beach trifecta.

The Boardwalk Plaza Hotel, the grand dame of the waterfront.

The obligatory kite store.

Early afternoon on the beach in the center of town.

Rare and exotic bird species.

North of Rehoboth Beach is the enclave of Henlopen Acres, with tree-lined streets and pricey homes, all just steps from the beach.

New construction in Henlopen Acres.

The inland waterway behind Henlopen Acres.

Another modest little beach cottage.

A mailbox that gets no bills or junk mail.

North of Rehoboth Beach is Cape Henlopen State Park.

Two of the many World War II vintage lookout towers along the coast. Given that no coastal freighters have been sunk by German U-boats in over 60 years, one must conclude that the program has been a great success.

Jaws? No, just dolphins.

Another addition to the "life list."

This looks like a lot of hard work, but not much fun. I saw the same guy about two hours later, paddling south, and looking tired.

The lighthouse at Cape Henlopen, the gateway to Delaware Bay.

A container ship making his turn to starboard, into Delaware Bay. The small boat has just dropped off a pilot.

The Kalmar Nyckel, berthed in Lewes.

Maintenance on the rigging.

Two years ago, it was impossible to walk in front of these buildings at high tide. There was very little beach remaining. The Army Corps of Engineers pumped sand onto the beach, and completely rebuilt the dune line. The danger here isn't from the occasional glancing blow by a hurricane. It's the steady pounding of nor'easters that robs the sand.

Now that the beach replenishment has been completed in Rehoboth and Dewey, the Army Corps of Engineers has moved south to Bethany Beach, and is pumping sand onto the shore there.

Shingle style is making a comeback. This house wasn't here two years ago.

A lifesaving station from the early 20th Century, nestled among newer condos.

These houses are always empty when I visit, and I've oftened wondered if anyone would notice if I let myself in and set up housekeeping for a few days.

On the south side of Rehoboth Beach is Silver Lake.

Duck dock with cormorant finials.

Homes and private docks along Silver Lake.

More subtle shadings along Rehoboth Avenue.

Louie's. Where else can you stuff yourself with pizza, wash it all down with Coke, leave $10 on the table, and be considered a very generous tipper?

The promise of an elegant soirée.

Clearly influenced by the works of Palladio.

The frenetic pace of an afternoon on the beach.