Our next stop was just after the Bridge/Tunnel, Kiptopeke State Park. You are thinking, state park, whoooppppeee?? Well let me tell you a little thing or two bout this state park. This park is close tot he main road so you don't have to go out of your way when visiting it. In addition, you can go into the bay there, although just your feet as it says the currents are strong. There is also a small beach to beach comb. Yep, I found tons of shells and we were in heaven with all the driftwood. But the best part was the jetty. It is not just any old jetty. It is made of about a dozen or so concrete ships. Yes, ships. Actual ships, made of concrete that float. They were made during WW2 and were an epic failure in terms of what they needed them for and so they decommissioned them and made them into a jetty off of Kiptopeke State Park. They were further out than I had hoped, but I zoomed in on my camera and was able to catch great details for the distance. One bucket list item down...although now I have added Take a Boat Out To The Concrete Ships as a new bucket list item.
After Little Girl had run up and down the pier, the beach and the paths, we ventured on towards our final destination. She slept in the back and this conversation ensued. "How is it that we have come to the OUter Banks 7 times and three of the times we had plans to see a plantation and each time we have failed?" (Bucket list - see a plantation. So while I was in the restroom, Big Man in the Blue Sasquatch looked up our route and plantations and he found a plantation, though in Delaware, that was .5 miles off our route. I was ecstatic because 1. I was going to see a plantation and 2. my husband rocks!!!
About an hour later, we arrived in Dover to the John dickinson PLantation. Little bit of info: Johnny boy was born in 1732 to Samuel Dickinson (who is buried on the property). Sammy built the home. Johnny boy grew up to be a founding father. He is referred to as the penman of the Revolution, was a statesman,part of the COntinental Congress and was one of the authors of the Articles of Confederation. He studied law, like his judge dad, was a politician, married and had 5 kids. He represented PA and Delaware at different points in his life. This house was where he lived part of his life.
So, while SLeepy Head napped and Big Man stretched his legs, I walked the grounds. I saw lots of things, although no one was there to give any info. I did see the main house which was huge. The house had two additions put on it in its life. There were several barns and workrooms. I saw a slave quarters and the final resting place of the original owner. As I strolled back through giant trees and piles of leaves, the rain clouds were rolling in. I looked back and realized, holy crap, another lifelong desire to go back in history has been accomplished. I am so freaking lucky. I hopped into the car, so pleased with myself. My husband asked all about it even though I know this is not his thing at all.
And so, on we traveled. We navigated a detour through the darkest, creepiest farms, saw a couple Amish on horse and buggy, got to our host apartment only to find the key that was sent didn't work, drove to a Rodeway Inn and found a decent room to rest our very weary heads. It has been one of those awesome days, a perfect way to end this getaway. More to come. Our next big trip - THE WEST!!!