September 16, 2014

Wilmington & New Castle, DE and Intercourse, PA

Morning pictures of Roamers’ Campground:

 

 

 

One of the questions we are most asked by friends, family and even strangers is what has been your favorite place so far?  There have been too many awesome places to single out just one.  We have also been asked what type of places we like to explore.  Some full timers are all about just nature while others are all about the cities. 

We just like exploring: cities, National Parks, mountains, lakes, rivers, oceans, deserts.

When I saw that we were so close to Wilmington, Delaware I suggested we take a ride to check the city out. 

After driving around the city for a little while we ended up on the Riverfront at the Dupont Environmental Education Center, a 212 acre tidal marsh adjoining the Christina River.

  It is home to many types of birds, beavers, dragonflies, butterflies and other wildlife. 

The greeter at the center told us that the center has expansion plans but currently only have a quarter mile pond loop.

 

 

 

When I inquired if there were any quaint little towns worth checking out he suggested New Castle just a few miles further south.

New Castle, situated on the Delaware River, was originally settled by the Dutch West India Company in 1651 under the leadership of Peter Stuyvesant. 

The Dutch laid out a grid of streets and established the town common.

In 1680 New Castle was conveyed to William Penn and was his landing place in 1682. 

The charming New Castle Historic District has about 500 historic buildings that date from 1700 to 1940.

We enjoyed a picnic lunch before walking around the district being careful while walking on the very uneven brick sidewalk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back in Pennsylvania, in the late afternoon, we wandered aimlessly down one country road after, past Amish farms before we ended up in the town of Intercourse. 

 

 

Intercourse, along with the nearby towns of Bird-in-Hand, Blue Ball and Paradise, is a popular site for tourists because of its location in “Amish country”.  I read that because of the town’s unusual name, the sign posts for the town are frequently targeted by thieves.

 

 

Made in China! 

 

Farming and tourism are major industries in the area.  Many businesses sell Amish crafts, food and give horse and buggy rides.

 

 

 

 

We strolled around the town and in different shops trying on hats and sampling jams, mustards and sausages.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our final stop was at Stoltzfus Meats where we sampled cheeses and bologna.  We liked what we sampled and bought some to take home.