Lewes Delaware is NOT friendly to RV’s

Those of you with an RV need to stay away from Lewes, Delaware.

Lewes, Delaware is a little historic burg on the Delmarva Penninsula. We spent a bit of time there this past week. We drove around the area, followed their “greenway” road signs through a new housing addition and also drove through the center of the shops/restaurant area in the old downtown. We even stopped at the Chamber of Commerce welcome center and visited a museum.

As we were preparing to leave I wanted to snap a few photos at an old church with graves dating back to the late 1600’s. This church was touted as one of the best historic sites. At this time there were plenty of street parking spots open. I stopped in a  couple of spots across the street from the church, hopped out and crossed the street to get some good photos for what was going to be this article.

Gone about four minutes, as I went back I saw Sher talking to someone with her side door of the coach open. I hurried across the street and saw a rather rotund fellow with a slouch hat and a name badge with a ticket book. Turns out he was the parking meter “officer”. He was rude to Sher as he spoke to her. Sher had both explained that I was snapping some pictures and she offered to pay for the two spots that our 24′ motorhome occupied. He walked away. Sher gave me a dollar and I went after him.

He was rather rude to me when as he stated that “RV’s and campers are not allowed in Lewes. There are signs that state this on the roads leading into town.”  I told him the road we came in on did not have such a sign. He then stated “Well, if you had come in on the south road you would have seen the sign.”  Excuse me??

RV folks, stay away from Lewes, Delaware. You are not welcome there. This is official from an officer of Lewes.

I have no desire to put any of the pictures I captured in Lewes on any post. If we are not wanted there, neither are pictures of Lewes wanted here.

Chincoteague Island

Chincoteague Island on Virginia’s eastern shore is a unique dab of land that features a large National Wildlife Refuge, some pretty beaches, and is known for the herd of wild ponies that roams the open spaces.

There are lots of “touristy” type things to do, including a lot of tour boats that will take you out and around the island. Most of these are pontoon boats with a capacity of six passengers. We decided to not take one of these tours but to just drive to the beaches and drive around the Wildlife Refuge.

We parked on the beach lot accessible through the Wildlife Refuge. The beach is really worth the drive: the parking is close to the beach, the sands are clean and it is a great place to grab a bite of lunch.

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Our National Parks Service Senior Pass saved us the $8 entrance fee to the National Wildlife Refuge. (Seniors 62 and older can get this pass here: NPS lifetime Senior Pass website)

IMG_3345 (2)Our drive around the “Wildlife Loop” did allow us to see two of the wild ponies. They were about 400 yards away from the road, so the picture is not the best quality. We did see them, though, which is alleged to be usually pretty iffy. Other than the two ponies and some white egrets we did not see any other wildlife during our drive.

Our home base on Chincoteague Island was an RV park named Tom’s Cove Park. The park was large, with over 900 spaces. It was a decent park albeit a bit pricy. (We were at a $51 a night spot that included cable and free WiFi)

We visited Ocean City Maryland

IMG_3378Ocean City, Maryland claims to be the best resort city in the country, at least according to the welcome sign along Rt 50 as you enter the city. It is on the Atlantic coast. Sher and I were surprised at how built up this area was. Hotels, high rise condos, a boardwalk with blocks and blocks of stores, restaurants, mini golf courses and nightclubs.

Parking on the streets was impossible when we were there because of the volume of people! We drove to what is called the South Inlet and found a very pretty large beach and ocean view. The public lot had plenty of room so we parked there.

Boats were everywhere going from the marinas out to the ocean. The beach was not really that full. A cool breeze was coming off the water so it was comfortable to eat lunch in our motorhome with the windows open. This parking lot was not suitable for long coaches or trailers, however. Don’t try it with your fiver or diesel pusher!

Fishing from the sidewalk at the South Inlet parking lot

Fishing from the sidewalk at the South Inlet parking lot

 

A neat Coast Guard vessel heading out

A neat Coast Guard vessel heading out

 

We found our new favorite pizza in Berlin

IMG_3348_resizedBefore you think Sher and I have headed to Germany, the pizza is in Berlin, Maryland. We had just pulled into a Walmart to pick up some groceries including tonight’s supper when Sher saw a pizza place in a building in front of the Walmart.

Off we went to Piaza. Neither of us had heard of it, but the price seemed reasonable, the place was clean and decorated very nicely. The pizzas we had were outstanding! Sher had a veggie topped Mediterranean and I had BBQ chicken with added bacon. They are thin crust brick oven baked and you may pick your own combination of toppings.

The owner of the restaurant is David Crocetti. David is a personable and friendly man who took the time to talk with us.  This establishment has been open for a mere two months and has already been nominated for “Best Pizza”. He explained to us that he uses only the finest ingredients that are prepared daily. He has another restaurant in Baltimore with several more planned for that area.

The Piaza is across the parking lot from Walmart in Berlin, Maryland

The Piaza is across the parking lot from Walmart in Berlin, Maryland

The Italian made brick oven in action.

The Italian made brick oven in action.

The brick oven is from Italy and can prepare a pizza in three minutes. From the time we ordered and watched our pizzas prepared to pick up ready to eat a mere 5 minutes had passed! No 15 to 20 minute wait for your pizzas at Piaza. The menu also includes salads and grilled piadas.

David has a real love of the business. His determination to satisfy his customers with a great dining value is obvious when you talk to him. He shared that he has already aquired sufficient amounts of material to open several more stores with the same decor.

Fresh ingredients await your order!

Fresh ingredients await your order!

Sher and I agree that the pizzas at Piaza are the best that we have ever had. This is an up and coming chain of restaurants that will be sure to be successful. The menu is varied enough for anyone’s taste. The quality of the ingredients is obvious when you taste your order. That brick oven really puts out a great pizza! Check out the Piaza website for more information, menus and the location of the facility now open in Baltimore.

If your travels take you to the Ocean City and Berlin, Maryland area be sure to stop at Piaza. Their motto of “Fresh, Fast & Fiery” is a spot-on description. The store is across the Walmart parking lot off Highway 50 near Berlin.

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A close encounter of the buzzard kind

On our way to Chincoteague Island the other day we had an interesting wildlife viewing. We were on Highway 13 heading north out of Cape Charles, Virginia on the Delmarva Penninsula.

I noticed a buzzard (actually the correct name is turkey vulture) soaring over the road. He was big like the one in the picture below that I took some time ago. As he started down over the road I could tell he was heading to the ditch on the right side.

These guys have a 5 to 6 foot wingspan

These guys have a 5 to 6 foot wingspan

The next thing I know his buddy buzzard took off from the ditch right in front of our motorhome! Whack! The next thing I see is the tail of this huge bird getting hit by the top edge of our vehicle’s hood. Sher let out a screech as the loud sound of the impact startled her to say the least. It sure scared me as well. Mr. Buzzard flew off to the left after he tried to clean the front of our hood with his tail feathers.

After our next stop we checked and luckily there was no damage to the front of the motorhome. However I know that somewhere on Hghway 13 there is a big buzzard with a sore butt.

Virginia’s Eastern Shore aka southern Delmarva

Looking back towards Va Beach from the first tunnel island.

Looking back towards Va Beach from the first tunnel island.

Today we headed north from Virginia Beach across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnels to what is called the Eastern Shore of Virginia. The spit of land that forms the east side of Chesapeake Bay is also called Delmarva because it is made up of portions of Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.

The Chesapeake Bridge Tunnel was amazing to cross. This is a toll bridge: it cost us $19 in toll one way for our motorhome. There are actually two tunnels and miles of bridges crossing the water where the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay meet. There are two bridges wth two lanes each direction merging into two way traffic in the tunnels. It has been called one of the engineering marvels of the world. I have to say the construction of the thousands of concrete piers supporting the road decks is a marvel to see.

The trip north up Highway 13 this morning was quite an eye opener. The rural nature of the area was immediately obvious. There were huge wheat and corn fields as well as lots of smaller fruit and vegatable plots. Both Purdue and Tyson had massive chicken processing plants and there were many farms that had chicken finishing buildings.

We checked out a few different campgrounds on our way and have ended up in Tom’s Cove Park campground on Chincoteague Island, Virginia. We’ll probably be here a day or two. It is hot this afternoon so we will take a walk down to the water later when things cool off a bit.

There are supposed to be wild ponies on this island somewhere. We’ll do some looking into them while we are here.

Lighthouse at Fort Story as seen from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel

Lighthouse at Fort Story as seen from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel

 

 

Fishing pier at the restaurant stop on the bridge

Fishing pier at the restaurant stop on the bridge

Our coach parked at a "Scenic viewpoint" on Fishermans Island National Wildlife Preserve just at landfall from the CBBT

Our coach parked at a “Scenic viewpoint” on Fishermans Island National Wildlife Preserve just at landfall from the CBBT

Hit the Virginia Beach beach

Surf was too high here to swim

Surf was too high here to swim

We made a quick trip to the Coatan Beach south of the main drag next to the boardwalk. The surf was so heavy here that no swimming was allowed, only surfing. Swimming was allowed further north up the shore line.

We also drove up the strip and were surprised at all of the new stores and hotels that have been constructed since we were here last a couple of years ago.

 

 

 

 

 

A few surfers enjoying the waves

A few surfers enjoying the waves

Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake

This structure is a drawbridge

This structure is a drawbridge

Today we drove around the area going to some yard sales. We had good luck finding things that will sell at some of our shows later this summer.

We also had a great time driving around the Norfolk and surrounding areas. Our son drove us so Sher and I could sit back and enjoy the scenery.

We really had a great day.

 

 

 

 

 

One of the large cargo ships

One of the large cargo ships

 

A couple of "Tall Ships" in the Norfolk Harbor

A couple of “Tall Ships” in the Norfolk Harbor

Enjoying our time with family at Virginia Beach

IMG_3212We are enjoying our time with our son, daughter-in-law and our grand-daughter. We are parked on the street next to their house.

Today is supposed to be the last day of rain for awhile. There has been tons of rain the past few days which has led to flooding of some streets. A couple of boys were out in the rain yesterday with their boogie boards having a great time in the half a foot of water in the next street.

 

“Peter Pan” opening at Beef and Boards

Jeff Stockberger and his bumbling pirates. Photo courtesy B&B media

Jeff Stockberger and his bumbling pirates. Photo courtesy B&B media

The 2015 Family show at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis is the beloved musical “Peter Pan”. The show opened May 14th and will have 58 total performances.

B&B favorite Jeff Srockberger will play the role of that evil Captain Hook. The casting of Peter Pan will be by newcomer to B&B Phobe Taylor. This high flying show should be one of the best family shows yet.

Sher and I are thrilled to be able to take one of our grand-daughters to see the show with us. We’ll report back after we have seen the show.

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre also puts on a great family friendly buffet with items that kids will love. Chef Odell Ward knows how to please the kids! Check out the B&B website for details, including discount ticketing prices for kids aged 3 – 15.