khassandraNothing that a Delawarean Doesn't Know
July 7th 2007 14:04
I'm taking a break from my usual international focus today to give a little insight into a state that I visit more often than the average bear-- Delaware. My extended family all resides in Delaware, with only a few exceptions, and historically my grandparents and great-grandparents and great-great-grandparents on my father's side have all been from Delaware-Maryland parts. While early colonists were just as likely to frequent this area of the country as anywhere else on the Eastern seaboard, Delaware is now a pretty unlikely destination, despite the fact that from anywhere in Delaware you can get to a beach in about half an hour, which is pretty alluring. So since I've been going there three times a year every year since I was born, let me take a moment to give you a travel perspective on the First State.
Yep, that's right-- Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution, resulting in their current state saying, "It's good to be first." All Delawareans know this fact-- how could you not?-- but many other Americans aren't so aware. It constantly frustrates those in Delaware to meet fellow Americans who have no idea that Delaware was the first state, or even a state at all (there is a city in Pennsylvania also named Delaware, resulting in the frequent response, "Isn't that in Pennsylvania"). But, that's how it goes when you live in a small state that exists primarily within the borders of Maryland. So here's some history: Samuel Argall explored Delaware in 1610 and named the land after his governor, Lord De La Warr. The first permanent settlement was by the Swedes in 1638, in the northern part of the state. in the later part of the century, the two southern colonies were annexed by William Penn so that Pennsylvania wouldn't be landlocked.
Delaware's motto still reflects the importance of early American history-- "Liberty and Independence"-- as well as the colors, colonial blue and buff. The state bird, the Blue Hen, is also the mascot for the University of Delaware (his name is YouDee). The state marine animal (which I suppose not all states have) is the horseshoe crab, and I can personally say that I hate the fact that more of these are found in Delaware than anywhere else. Although they claim to be useful, they are a nuisance to people who want to swim in the ocean without stepping on a pair of enormous crabs with razor-sharp backs canoodling beneath the waves. Delaware also has a state bug (ladybug), state butterfly (tiger swallowtail), and a state macroinvertebrate! I won't tell you what, though, because I doubt you know what a macroinvertebrate even is. Milk was made the state beverage on June 3, 1983, and the state has a star registered as the state star in Ursa Major (it's the first star even to be registered to a state-- you can register a star too at the international star registry).
What to see when you go to Delaware:
What you WILL see is a lot of farms, and what you with smell is a lot of fertilizer. At least, this is true of Southern Delaware, known to the rest of Delaware as "slower lower", but hey, don't hate-- your state is too small for that kind of intra-state derision. There's a lot of corn, soy bean, and chicken farming in Delaware, among other crops and livestock, but if you drive through farms for about half an hour, you will reach the beach (or as they say, the shore). The beach that is the biggest tourist attraction is Rehoboth, which is a good beach with a fun boardwalk, beachfront shopping, and outlet malls nearby. There's a lot to do in Rehoboth, and it's a worthwhile destination if you're coming from MD or PA (maybe not as far as Georgia, though, which is my case).
You can also visit the highest point in Delaware, which doesn't have a name, but it's near Ebright Road in Newcastle County (N. Delaware) and is 447.85 feet above sea level. If the polar ice caps start to melt, I doubt that heading for this location will help you out much-- fun fact: Delaware is the state with the lowest highest point of any state!
You might also be interested in seeing the capitol of Dover, though there's not a lot to do there besides gambling (slots and races)-- it looks like if you want a taste of city life you'll have to actually leave the state of Delaware and take a drive to Baltimore, Philadelphia, or D.C., which are all within 2 hours.
How to amuse yourself if you don't want to leave Delaware:
See how many Bob Evans restaurants you can eat at in a Day.
Locate every Wawa in Delaware.
Walk, jog, or bike across the whole state.
Start a horseshoe crab collection.
Get a lot of fresh seafood, and have a clam fry!
Learn how to distinguish the accents of southern, middle, and northern Delaware.
Take a course at UD on the cultural geography of Delaware.
Go to the state fair, where they show all kinds of livestock and even have a monster truck rally!!!
GO SHOPPING! (There's no sales tax in Delaware, yeeaah!)
My granddad's barn covered in snow
Yep, that's right-- Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution, resulting in their current state saying, "It's good to be first." All Delawareans know this fact-- how could you not?-- but many other Americans aren't so aware. It constantly frustrates those in Delaware to meet fellow Americans who have no idea that Delaware was the first state, or even a state at all (there is a city in Pennsylvania also named Delaware, resulting in the frequent response, "Isn't that in Pennsylvania"). But, that's how it goes when you live in a small state that exists primarily within the borders of Maryland. So here's some history: Samuel Argall explored Delaware in 1610 and named the land after his governor, Lord De La Warr. The first permanent settlement was by the Swedes in 1638, in the northern part of the state. in the later part of the century, the two southern colonies were annexed by William Penn so that Pennsylvania wouldn't be landlocked.
Delaware's motto still reflects the importance of early American history-- "Liberty and Independence"-- as well as the colors, colonial blue and buff. The state bird, the Blue Hen, is also the mascot for the University of Delaware (his name is YouDee). The state marine animal (which I suppose not all states have) is the horseshoe crab, and I can personally say that I hate the fact that more of these are found in Delaware than anywhere else. Although they claim to be useful, they are a nuisance to people who want to swim in the ocean without stepping on a pair of enormous crabs with razor-sharp backs canoodling beneath the waves. Delaware also has a state bug (ladybug), state butterfly (tiger swallowtail), and a state macroinvertebrate! I won't tell you what, though, because I doubt you know what a macroinvertebrate even is. Milk was made the state beverage on June 3, 1983, and the state has a star registered as the state star in Ursa Major (it's the first star even to be registered to a state-- you can register a star too at the international star registry).
A farmhouse in Milford, DE
What to see when you go to Delaware:
What you WILL see is a lot of farms, and what you with smell is a lot of fertilizer. At least, this is true of Southern Delaware, known to the rest of Delaware as "slower lower", but hey, don't hate-- your state is too small for that kind of intra-state derision. There's a lot of corn, soy bean, and chicken farming in Delaware, among other crops and livestock, but if you drive through farms for about half an hour, you will reach the beach (or as they say, the shore). The beach that is the biggest tourist attraction is Rehoboth, which is a good beach with a fun boardwalk, beachfront shopping, and outlet malls nearby. There's a lot to do in Rehoboth, and it's a worthwhile destination if you're coming from MD or PA (maybe not as far as Georgia, though, which is my case).
You can also visit the highest point in Delaware, which doesn't have a name, but it's near Ebright Road in Newcastle County (N. Delaware) and is 447.85 feet above sea level. If the polar ice caps start to melt, I doubt that heading for this location will help you out much-- fun fact: Delaware is the state with the lowest highest point of any state!
You might also be interested in seeing the capitol of Dover, though there's not a lot to do there besides gambling (slots and races)-- it looks like if you want a taste of city life you'll have to actually leave the state of Delaware and take a drive to Baltimore, Philadelphia, or D.C., which are all within 2 hours.
How to amuse yourself if you don't want to leave Delaware:
See how many Bob Evans restaurants you can eat at in a Day.
Locate every Wawa in Delaware.
Walk, jog, or bike across the whole state.
Start a horseshoe crab collection.
Get a lot of fresh seafood, and have a clam fry!
Learn how to distinguish the accents of southern, middle, and northern Delaware.
Take a course at UD on the cultural geography of Delaware.
Go to the state fair, where they show all kinds of livestock and even have a monster truck rally!!!
GO SHOPPING! (There's no sales tax in Delaware, yeeaah!)
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