Cape Henlopen State Park is a place for all

August has arrived, and by now many of us are getting a bit weary of having to wait through multiple light changes to move about our small towns. But there are still plenty of ways to enjoy summertime at your favorite beach. It just requires an adjustment.

Last weekend, my hubby and I lodged our umbrella in the sand at Cape Henlopen State Park. Not quite as dramatic as staking the American flag on the moon's surface, but it felt triumphant at eight o'clock in the morning to choose a spot with no obstructed view.

We drank our coffee and ate our Surf Bagels with toes buried and watched the dolphins crest in and out of the water. When the spaces filled up around us like quilting squares, we uprooted and went home.

It's fun to arrive in the early evening when hordes of bedraggled families are dragging their boogie boards and flip-flopping to their vehicles while you are heading against their tide. I relish those last two hours of daylight when the sun lowers in the sky and only a clamoring of young families remain in the water.

CHSP has more to offer than beaches. We have been frequent guests at the campsites for years because our nephew Kevin and his husband Steve love camping there. Our family crowds around a fire where we roast marshmallows to make s'mores. I've always been impressed with the management and cleanliness of the facilities.

My neighbor John says he also has fond memories of his families' summer vacations at Fort Miles during the 1960s, before it became CHSP. "There are endless trails and bike paths to explore, and the revival of Fort Miles as a historic site is really special for me," John says. "It was one of the reasons we decided to make Lewes our permanent home."

John and his wife Beth recently purchased a small RV so they could explore our country along with their handsome dog Randle. John says, "We took our first trip to the new campgrounds at CHSP. The sites are clean and neat too. From the moment we checked in there were people willing to help us set up. We couldn't help notice all the people from neighboring states and a large number of our Canadian neighbors enjoying the little gem we have in our backyard. "

The Seaside Nature Center, renovated in March 2017, has exhibits and a touch tank for children. Volunteers will show you a map and explain the trails or help you register for an educational program. Lovely souvenirs can be purchased! You can even borrow a bike for free between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. for two hours to explore the park.

If you are a local or a tourist, you must visit the Fort Miles Museum and Historical Area and take a guided tour! Imagine 2,500 soldiers were stationed there during World War II to defend our country.

Our park is looking for friends just like a gull is always scouting its dinner. Email Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park, FOCHSP@gmail.com, and learn about all the ways you can get involved. Our park is a magical place where the bay and the ocean mingle just like the locals and the tourists. Smell the salt air, collect pine cones, or climb the WWII watch tower.