The BIG Road Trip ~ Delaware [DE]

If you’re new to The BIG Road Trip – all the information can be found on this page. Curious how this series came about? Find the ‘why’ in this first announcement post. All BIG Road Trip posts can be found archived here. If you want to submit a guest post about your state, or if you want to share state-related art, stories, inspiration or links, email me at bigroadtrip[at]maritspaperworld[dot]com

 

Today I say goodbye to New Jersey and am heading to Delaware. No-one offered to be my guide in ‘the first state’ so I had to find it all out on my own. It started with transportation… I planned to go from New Jersey to Delaware on a bike first, but the Delaware river caused problems there… most bridges that cross the river are prohibited for bicycles. Hmm… if not by bike, how would I cross that river then?

I though about swimming, but the water seems awful cold this time of year – and then I discovered a ferry line on the map. See that red dotted line?

I LOVE boats, so the Cape May-Lewes Ferry it is!

 

Delaware

What is to say about this state? Well, the state takes its name from Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr, an English nobleman and Virginia’s first colonial governor.

Delaware was one of the 13 colonies participating in the American Revolution and on December 7, 1787, became the first state to ratify the Constitution of the United States, thereby becoming known as The First State.

Delaware is divided into three counties. From north to south, these three counties are New Castle, Kent, and Sussex. That sounds very English to me – how come? Aahhh… history! Colonization! Even the Dutch had something to do with it as they were the first Europeans to settle in present-day Delaware in the Middle region by establishing a trading post at Zwaanendael, near the site of Lewes in 1631.

I won’t bore you with history lessons though… you can read that for example on the history page of the ‘Delaware Tourism‘ website if you’re interested.

I did find some fun facts however, that are worth mentioning

• Peach Pie is Delaware’s official state dessert.
• Strawberry is the official state fruit.
• Grey Fox is the state wildlife animal.

While I’m in Delaware, there are two museums – both in Wilmington –  that I will for sure pay a visit.

First, I will visit the Museum of Natural History to see the special exhibit Glow: Living Lights cause I read they exhibit one of these:

This is a Siphonophore

Ha, now you probably still have no idea what it is, have you? I didn’t know either, but I looked it up. This is a living organism, sort of a jellyfish…. I don’t know exactly but hey, that’s why I like to visit the exhibition to learn all about it! Glow: Living Lights also

“…takes visitors on a journey into the world of bioluminescence, a living organism’s ability to produce its own light.  This fascinating special exhibit answers the questions of what bioluminescence is and how it differs from other forms of light.”

Does that sound intriguing or what? It must be inspiring too if you aks me – “Glow: Living Lights brings visitors up close with some of the most incredible creatures ever seen – from the familiar firefly and glowworm to the alien-looking angler fish…” If you plan on visiting the exhibition, be sure to bring a sketchbook with you.

Second I’d like to visit the Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts in Wilmington. They have a group exhibition right now, showing work from these three artists:

Jason Maas

Mark Stockton

Sean Lyman

Now, there must be a lot more to do/see in Delaware. I’m just an ignorant, foreign tourist so please, help me out here… what is not to be missed? What should I do and/or see in Delaware? What is interesting for an artist to do in Delaware? Where is inspiration to be found?
Let me know, and I will add all the extra’s in next weeks ‘follow up’ post.

Email all info to bigroadtrip[at]maritspaperworld[dot]com

When you see the ‘inspiration logo’, it means that there will be some tips to spark your imagination and get creative. It will often be music (as songs were the trigger to start the road trip) but I also found some images to spark your creativity.

Songs about rivers:

The River – Bruce Springsteen (lyrics)

Boat On The River – Styx (lyrics)

North and South of the River – U2 (lyrics)

Songs about boats:

Ferry ‘Cross The Mersey –  Gerry & The Pacemakers (lyrics) (I know, I know… The River Mersey is a river in North West England but everytime I see a ferry, this song comes to mind.)

Crystal Ship – The Doors (lyrics)

Wooden Ships – Jefferson Airplane (lyrics)

what shall we do with the drunken sailor – Irish Rovers (lyrics)

Row Row Row Your Boat (traditional folk song) (lyrics)

Oh… and remember this one? Love Boat

Songs about Delaware:

Delaware – Perry Como (lyrics) (I find this song/lyrics quite funny!)

Delaware Slide – George Thorogood (lyrics)

Hot Time in Delaware – Saves The Day (lyrics)

I’m From Delaware – Todd Chappelle

Hello, I’m In Delaware – City and Color (lyrics)

Jellyfish
These colors and shapes just scream to be used in
a painting/art journal page/drawing/collage

 

Now it’s your turn! Please share your tips, stories, art, photos, links and everything else that fits this Delaware post or the songs/inspiration that was given. Email your submission for this blog series to bigroadtrip[at]maritspaperworld[dot]com

Next week’s ‘follow up post’ will be filled (I hope…) with YOUR art, photos, stories, links and tips. I hope to see my email box overflow in the next days!

Delaware/this post inspired stuff needs to be in by Saturday evening.

Also: I’m looking for artists from Maryland and Virginia (and of course more states, but these come first..) to write a guestpost for this BIG Road Trip blog series. Find all the info and the list of states HERE.