Destination Delaware: The Riverfront
I have been searching for the destination for our next travel adventure. I was looking online at ‘glamping’ sites in Cape Cod. After looking at various campgrounds, campsites in Delaware started showing up in my feed. I am not sure how or why Google redirected me from Cape Cod to Delaware but I am glad that it did. While on the Delaware website, I came upon several interesting activities. I immediately made plans to participate. Delaware Discoveries Trail lists 13 different art installations at various locations throughout the state. If you visit at least four of the locations and send them photos taken with the artwork, you will have a chance to win a limited-edition prize. Delaware History Trail guides you through historical locations throughout the state. I printed out the ‘passport’ they provided along with the suggestion that you keep it with you. At each of the historical sites, you will find a location code to write on the passport. Once you have obtained the codes from at least six sites in each of our three counties, you mail the passport to the Delaware Tourism Office. They reward you with a copy of the limited-edition book “Landmark’s and Legacies.”
I thought it best to begin with the Delaware Discoveries Trail and find the art installations that were closest to home. There were two located at The Riverfront. Our Riverfront area is Wilmington’s hot spot of activity and entertainment. We often meet family and friends there and take the grandchildren on outings when they are in town. You will find a multitude of Restaurants, the Frawley Stadium home to the Blue Rocks, Constitution Yard, Hotels, Riverwalk Mini-Golf, Penn Cinema, Children’s Museum, Altitude Trampoline Park, annual People’s Festival tribute to Bob Marley, annual August Quarterly celebration, Wilmington Rowing Center, river taxies, joggers, bikers, dog walkers, tourist and locals strolling the Riverwalk, and more. I knew our next trip to the Riverfront would not be about any of the activities we normally enjoy there. I was now on a different kind of mission.
Early Saturday morning, with my trusty photographer/driver/hubby in tow, we headed out in search of the art installations. We arrived during the early hour when it is wonderfully still and peaceful. The first installation was located outside of the Chase Center. It was in a grassy area, full of morning sunshine and singing birds. Though not hidden, when I first spotted it I shouted out as though I had just made a fantastic new discovery. The fun mural of balloons was painted by muralist, illustrator, fine artist, and native Wilmingtonian, Terrance Vann. Darrel took pictures of me in front of the mural as I worked on my lift off vibe. Next, the hunt was on for the second installation located a minute away at the Children’s Museum. This colorful mural was painted by Laura Erickson, an artist based in Rehoboth DE. Darrel took more prize winning photos of me in front of the second art installation and our mission for the day was complete.
We were having such a great time that we explored a bit more. We came across a tall brick structure reaching to the heavens. Darrel told me it was a smoke stack, remnants of the old shipyard days. He said it was used during the industrial revolution at the turn of the century. It was also in use when ships were built there in the early to mid 1940’s, contributing to the war efforts of WWII. FYI… The Old Smoke Stack is a historical landmark and is located outside of Planet Fitness.
Darrel was thoroughly fascinated by a sculpture called Portal by Joe Moss. As you move around this almost flat piece of steel your perception of what you are seeing changes.
We strolled along the river taking pictures, enjoying the view, and greeting many of the friendly people we met along the way. After a delightful morning rediscovering the sites at the Riverfront in Wilmington, Delaware, we were back at home just in time for breakfast.
