Witnessing the Wonder of Indian Echo Caverns

Students are frequent visitors to Indian Echo Caverns.

Located along the east bank of the Swatara Creek in Derry Township, Dauphin County, is a limestone cave that has been attracting explorers for thousands of years. Author Richard Hartwell, who wrote Indian Echo Caverns..a History, speculates that the first visitors could have been the wooly mammoths, citing a portion of the jaw of an extremely large animal that had been unearthed by a farmer in the 1850s. Hartwell quotes a writer who saw the find and described it thusly: "the teeth measure three-and-one-half, by seven-and-one-half inches and were evidently grinders of some animal of long ago, unknown to the zoological history of ancient, or modern times." Hartwell goes on to say that scientists now know that these were the teeth of the mastodon, or wooly mammoth.

Other interesting finds include spear heads located about a mile away from the caverns, causing Hartwell to  speculate that the gigantic animal could have been felled by early hunters who resided in the caverns.

Later, the Susquehannocks are said to have made their home there. It’s a mystery as to how long the occupation was, but speculation has it that before the end of the Archaic Period (8,000 B.C. – 1000 B.C.) they were living in other types of above-ground shelters. By the middle of the 1670s, the Susquehannocks were driven out by the Iroquois and Senecas.

The first to offer a description of the caverns for public consumption was Rev. Peter Miller of Ephrata, according to Hartwell. He called the caverns the “Grotto on the Swatara” in a letter he penned to be read before the American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia on March 3, 1783. In his letter, Miller describes the beauty of the cave and bemoans the fact that the country people were destroying it, which leads Hartwell to the conclusion that people were using it before the land was “warranted” in 1754. How exactly the beauty was being destroyed is made clearer in another letter written by the first Prothonotary of Dauphin County, who complains that the natural color and sheen of the walls was obscured by curious travelers carrying torches into the cave. Evidently the general public wasn't as preservation oriented as we all are today, judging by these early reports and the accounts of a Frenchman who traveled through Pennsylvania in 1794 and wrote about it in a journal in which he describes the interior as resembling Gothic architecture. “I cut off some stalactites, which I am keeping…” he wrote. Then there's the account of a a Philadelphia merchant who also visited the cave in the 1700s, only to return some 20 years later. “It has been much disfigured during that period by the frequency of burning straw, which is always used to light the apartments by strangers,” he wrote in his diary in 1817. After a bit of research, I discovered that the use of the word "apartments" here simply means "separated places" and indeed there are many in the cave, one of which was inhabited by a recluse, known as the Pennsylvania Hermit, which I'll mention more about later in this post. 

The Crystal Ballroom.

One of many "apartments" within the cave.

According to Hartwell, initial ownership of the caverns is a little murky, but one thing we know for sure is that it has been traced to a Samuel Brehm who died in 1927 and E.M. Hershey, who sold it to Dr. U.S.G. Bieber, who served as Mayor of Kutztown and decided to commercialize the venture. A state charter was granted to Indian Echo Cave, Inc. of Hummelstown and the capital stock was $125K. Incorporators were Bieber, Marie Bieber and D.M. Ryan of Lancaster. The purpose of the new company was to “purchase, develop and operate a natural cavern for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.”

Known as the "corncob," for good reason.

The group went to work ensuring that drain tiles were laid, material at the mouth of the cave was removed, stairs were built over fallen rocks, steps were constructed on the treacherous cliff to the entrance of the cave and 1700 lights were installed to illuminate every part of the cave. The corporation also installed a tree-lined driveway and converted a farm house into Indian Echo Inn, according to Hartwell.  In May, of 1929, businessmen, clergymen, politicians and others made it a point to visit the cave for its grand opening and then retired to the Inn for a repast.

The Pennsylvania Hermit
According to a well-circulated story, William (Amos) Wilson, was born in Lebanon in 1774 before moving to Chester County with his parents and his sister Elizabeth, who was two years his junior. While working at a Philadelphia hotel, Elizabeth was seduced by a man who promised to marry her. She became pregnant, ultimately giving birth to twins, as her lover reneged on his promise. Not long after the birth, hunters discovered the bodies of the infants in a nearby wooded area and she was charged with murder and sentenced to be hanged. Wilson pleaded the case to the Governor in Philadelphia who was moved enough to grant a stay of execution. Unfortunately, Wilson was stymied in his efforts to deliver the stay due to torrential rains and impassable streams. Elizabeth was hanged despite her brothers best efforts to save her and it was later suggested that the father was to blame for the murders.

Wilson ended up in the Hummelstown area and wracked with grief, sought shelter in the cave, isolating himself from the outside world, except to exchange goods for his support. He earned a living by making grindstones for farmers and spent 19 years there before passing in 1821.

A Dinner in the “Ballroom” of the Cave
Another interesting tidbit Hartwell shares in his book is a dinner held in the “Ballroom” of the Cave, held for the retiring principal of the Hummelstown Schools in 1934. This must have been quite an undertaking for the staff since there are dozens of stairs to negotiate in entering and exiting the cave.

The Sale after the Depression
The Corporation running the Indian Echo Cave and Inn failed during the Great Depression.  Eventually, control reverted to the Hummelstown National Bank. The Indian Echo Inn and its parking lot were sold separately and the Cave was purchased in 1942 by entrepreneur Edward Stover Swartz of Derry Township. A graduate of Hershey High School, Swartz initially pursued a career as a banker, but plans changed with the onset of the Depression. Swartz also opened up a service station, which grew into Swartz Service and Electric on the Hummelstown Square. For a time, Swartz also dabbled in the entertainment field, offering shows featuring country western music and comedy acts.

An Intriguing Find
One of the more interesting tidbits associated with Indian Echo Caverns lore is the mystery box found in 1919. According to Hartwell, five young men discovered the box in the “deepest recesses [of the caverns] beneath a heavy rock.” Contents of the box include a coin dating back to 480 B.C. and another dated 1288. Additional coins found in the collection hail from regions of the world like Egypt, Greece, Italy, the Byzantine (now Istanbul), England, Guatemala, China and Austria. A many-sided small block covered with strange characters was thought to be hollow, until a diminutive plug was discovered. When the plug was removed, a cylinder was found inside with directions on how to make diamonds with the aid of lightning. A small package, labeled “diamonds in the rough” contained moonstones. Jewelry was also found and included a cameo engraved “My Mother.”  The box is now in the permanent collection at Indian Echo Caverns and is on display in the gift shop, located near the parking lot, which many visit on their way into the caverns, or upon exiting.

Animals like turkeys and peacocks capture the attention of young and old as they await their tour.

A peacock looks out over the parking lot.

Indian Echo Caverns has managed to survive many years as a commercial venture and interest seems to ebb and flow with the changing times. Summer is generally the most popular time to visit since the caves maintain a cool 52 degrees year round.

For planning purposes, guided tours are conducted on the hour and last approximately 45 minutes.  Photography is permitted. Be sure to don comfortable footwear, preferably with closed toes since visitors have been known to step in small puddles that have formed around the cave.

To see additional pictures and learn more about hours of operation and rates, visit the Indian Echo Caverns website here.

Visiting the Grounds for Sculpture

The Van Gogh Cafe at the Grounds for Sculpture (photo courtesy of David W. Steele)

If you're searching for unique things to do in New Jersey, I recommend the Grounds for Sculpture. My friend and I decided to take a bus trip to the destination during the dog days of summer, which, in retrospect, wasn't the best time of the year to visit. First of all, our bus encountered heavy traffic on the way to Hamilton Township, New Jersey and and secondly, temperatures soared into the mid 90s, so we were more than a little overheated. The good news is that it was a bright, sunny day, perfect for pictures. But because we were on a limited schedule of about 90 minutes, we were able to view just about a third of the expansive collection. What we did see, however, was impressive and approachable and I'm inspired to return in the autumn when the weather is cooler.

Grounds for Sculpture Founder Seward Johnson
Seward Johnson was born in 1930 and attended the University of Maine before enlisting in the Navy and subsequently spending four years on the U.S.S. Gloucestor (PF 22), the only ship hit by enemy fire during the Korean War. Later Seward settled in New Jersey and raised a family. Seward's artistic career began with painting before his interests turned to what would later become his main body of work. His first cast work of sculpture won the Award in Steel competition, besting around 7,000 entries. He was practically self taught, unless you count a few classes he had taken in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Another interesting fact about Seward Johnson is that his name is used in conjunction with many products Americans buy on a regular basis. He is the grandson of the co-founder of Johnson & Johnson.

Today his works are exhibited internationally in public and private art collections. His work is comprised of three series: 'Beyond the Frame,' inspired by Impressionist paintings, the 'Celebrating the Familiar' man on the street works and 'Icons Revisited' based upon images of the collective unconscious.

These days Johnson spends his time in New York City, Nantucket and Key West.

Arriving at the Grounds for Sculpture
The 42-acre sculpture park and museum is located at 80 Sculptor Way, Hamilton Township, New Jersey, formerly known as the New Jersey fairgrounds. Grounds for Sculpture became a nonprofit organization in the summer of 2000 and subsists on revenue from visitors, art patrons, donations and grants.

When we arrived, the first thing we encountered was a larger-than-life sculpture of King Lear as we made our way to the Seward Johnson Center for the Arts' Welcome Center. There guests can roam the galleries to view the rotating exhibits, purchase gifts at the museum shop, or grab a bite to eat at the Van Gogh Cafe. The Cafe is worth a visit, whether you're hungry or not, for the view of the ceiling alone, which is a tribute to the artist's famous "Starry Night" painting.

"King Lear," by Seward Johnson, greets guests.

The second sculpture that we encountered after arriving was located at the top of a grassy hill across the street. Titled, "Confrontational Vulnerability," the reclining nude relaxes on a bed and is joined by a black cat with an arched back near her feet. The sculpture is Johnson's full-size reconstruction of Manet's famous painting, "Olympia."

"Confrontational Vulnerability," by Seward Johnson.

Because we were short on time, we decided strike out on our own with the handy map provided at the visitors' center, which offered a breakdown of artists, the names of their works and the zones where we could find them. I also noticed that there was usually a marker near each piece, which also contained identifying information.

"A Little to the Right," by Seward Johnson.

"A Little to the Right" deserves a mention for its realistic lines, from the folds in the sweaters, to the pleats in the skirt. I learned later that each life-size bronze takes Johnson approximately two years to complete. Johnson was said to have chosen this medium not only because bronze is strong enough to endure nature's harshness over periods of time, but also because it flows well in a ceramic mold, making details very crisp.

Bruce Beasley, Dorian, 1986, stainless steel, edition 1/2, 240 x 360 x 120 inches. Grounds for Sculpture, Gift of The Seward Johnson Atelier.

During our visit we encountered various bodies of water where artwork was the focal point. This piece is named "Dorian," by Bruce Beasley, who is known as one of the foremost sculptors on the West Coast. In the 1980s, Beasely created many stainless steel works such as the one pictured above.

"Far Out," by Seward Johnson.

Seated nearby the lifelike Johnson sculpture pictured above was a family enjoying a picnic on a park bench. We witnessed more than one person crack a joke about almost mistaking the family for one of Seward's pieces. I could make a bet that by the time the family was digging into dessert, they were ready to get out of there before the next clever observer encountered them.

"Depression Breadline," by George Segal.

Seward Johnson, Dejeuner Deja Vu, 1994, bronze, edition 1/8, 62 x 132 x 360 inches, Grounds for Sculpture, Gift of The Seward Johnson Atelier.

Happening upon sculptures was almost like a treasure hunt. We seemed to discover them around corners, in ponds, atop hills, between hedges and in small clearings. This is in keeping with the founder's vision that guests should anticipate the "joy of discovery." This above tableau was located a bit off the beaten path and is called Dejeuner Deja Vu.  It is inspired by Edouard Manet's "Dejeuner Sur L'Herbe."

The Grounds for Sculpture is a peaceful place for a stroll.

"Has Anyone Seen Larry," by Seward Johnson.

Once in awhile, visitors will discover that Seward Johnson doesn't always take himself so seriously, like with this piece, titled, "Has Anyone Seen Larry?" And then there's this one below, titled, "Pondering the Benefits of Exercise."

Seward Johnson, Pondering the Benefits of Exercise, 2004, bronze, edition 1/8, 55 x 216 x 96 inches, Grounds for Sculpture, Gift of the Seward Johnson Atelier.

William T. Wiley, To Marcel DuChamp, 1887-1968, Artist, Tool and Die Maker, 1968, stainless steel, 84 x 112 x 90 inches, Grounds for Sculpture, Gift of The Seward Johnson Atelier, Original Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Sabol.

"Interaction," by Seward Johnson.\

 Emilie Benes Brzezinski, Lintel, 1993, bronze, 128 x 117 x 28 inches, Grounds for Sculpture, Gift of The Seward Johnson Atelier.

Once in awhile, I'm surprised at what I learn later about a particular artist. For instance,"Lintel" was created by the widow of Zbigniew Brezezinski, who is also the mother of Mika Brzezinski. This sculpture was constructed of cut cherry trees and then cast in bronze.

Karen Peterson, Beast, 2001, bronze, Edition, 2/7, 87 x 102 x 41 inches, Courtesy of the Artist.

The unusal sculpture above is named "Beast," and is created by Michigan resident Karen Peterson."I have reached for pure form in depicting a setient creature that exudes power, sensuousness, nobility and sensitivity of spirit," she said about her work.

Joan Danziger, October Gathering, 2001, bronze, 48 x 36 x 36 inches, Grounds for Sculpture, Gift of the Seward Johnson Atelier.  

The above piece by Joan Danziger, is said to be created out of her fascination with dream imagery and metomorphosis. Danziger currently resides in the Washington, D.C. area.

Philip Grausman, Leucantha, 1993, aluminum, edition 1/3, 108 x 118 x 118 inches, Grounds for Sculpture, Gift of The Seward Johnson Atelier.

While wandering around the grounds, mist would occasionally rise up and capture our attention, causing us to explore further what was located in, or around, various bodies of water. This one is called Leucantha by Philip Grausman. The American artist's early work centered on seeds and buds and this exploration eventually led to a fascination with human heads, which he has been known to describe as "landscapes." His work can be seen at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Museum and the Wadsworth Atheneum.

Seward Johnson, Part of Nature, 2000, aluminum, edition 1/8, 47 x 41 x 38 inches, Grounds for Sculpture, Gift of The Seward Johnson Atelier, Inc., Original Gift of Seward Johnson

Another sculpture which commands attention due to the gathering mist is titled, "Part of Nature," by Seward Johnson.

Horace Farlowe, Portal Rest, 1999, white Danby marble, 12 x 15 x 20 feet, Grounds for Sculpture, Gift of The Seward Johnson Atelier.

I had to hold my camera way out from a copse of small trees to snap this white Danby marble creation titled, "Portal Rest," by Horace Farlowe, a North Carolina resident who was known for his architectural creations.

David Hostetler, Summertime Lady, 1999, bronze, edition A/P, 116 x 32 x 24 inches, Grounds for Sculpture, Gift of The Seward Johnson Atelier.

Artist David Hostetler is responsible for "Summertime Lady," which stands in the reflection pool near Rat's restaurant. Yes, the name is a bit odd and unsettling for a restaurant. Seward chose the appellation for a character named "Ratty," from Grahame's The Wind in the Willows, which is one of his favorite books.  Hostetler, who was born Amish in Beach City, Ohio, was known to create works honoring the female form. His career spanned more than 61 years before he passed in 2015.

Rat's Restaurant interior (courtesy of David Michael Howarth photography.)

Seward Johnson, Sailing the Seine II, 1999, bronze, edition 2/8, 60 x 72 x 55 inches, Grounds for Sculpture, Gift of The Seward Johnson Atelier.

Yet another piece with water as a backdrop is Seward's "Sailing the Seine," where Manet's couple is reimagined as a "Beyond the Frame," piece.

"Redon's Fantasy of Venus," by Seward Johnson.

Flanked by woods, another sculpture created by Johnson is hidden just beyond the beaten path to be discovered by the curious. It's titled, "Redon's Fantasy of Venus."

Seward Johnson, On Poppied Hill, 1999, bronze, aluminum, edition 1/8, 99 x 84 x 60 inches, Grounds for Sculpture, Gift of The Seward Johnson Atelier.

Not all artwork is at eye level and guests should make it a point to be aware of their surroundings. This sculpture is located high upon a hill, among a collection of wildflowers.

Scenes from the "Chamber of Internal Dialogue."

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Once again, Seward shows his sense of humor with "The Chamber of Internal Dialogue," which is a stand-alone structure featuring a room where guests can enter and perhaps lay down on the psychiatrists couch to contemplate their existence and hope they don't end up looking like the character in "The Scream."

Just a Few of the Many Sculptures to Be Seen

These few pictures may whet your appetite for a future visit. From what I understand, there are about 250 more, most of which are on the grounds. Others are at the visitors' center, like the incredible one seen below with the eyebrow-raising backstory.

"Double Check," by Seward Johnson.

This life-sized bronze of a businessman rifling through his briefcase was installed in Liberty Plaza Park in Lower Manhattan. The sculpture became a fixture in the downtown landscape for 20 years. On September 11, 2001, a terrorist attack destroyed both towers of the World Trade Center, covering the sculpture in ash. The New York Times reported in 2004, that rescue workers approached the figure, only to realize that it was not a man, but a sculpture.

After seeing this many Seward Johnson sculptures, I realized I had encountered his work elsewhere during my travels, from the Lincoln statue in downtown Gettysburg, to the jogger at Nemocolin, the dancers in Key West and the man reading a newspaper in Steinman Park in Lancaster, Pa.

This sculpture, titled, "Time for Fun" was located at the Art and Historical Society Custom House Museum in Key West when we visited.

"Shaping Up," by Seward Johnson, was spotted last year at Nemocolin Woodlands Resort.

Planning Your Trip
If you go, be sure to at least allow three hours for viewing. If I do it again, I will visit when the temperatures are cooler and allot 90 minutes to stroll the grounds with a Rat's restaurant break at noon and an extra hour or two in the afternoon. Given our schedule this time, we merely scratched the surface of all there was to see in this unique gem of a destination.

To learn more about hours, prices and more, visit the Grounds for Sculpture website at: https://www.groundsforsculpture.org/

Family Fun in Kent County Delaware

Until this month, I had yet to visit any area in the small state of Delaware, other than the popular shore points. Recently, however, I had the opportunity to spend some time in the central area of the state in Kent County where I learned that there is much to do and see. Many activities are not only educational, but also inexpensive, making the region an ideal place for a family vacation.

Visit Dover International Speedway

Dover International Speedway holds two NASCAR races each year. With a track known for its 24-degree turns, slick concrete surface and challenging reputation, it has definitely earned the moniker: the "Monster Mile." 

The Monster Monument at Victory Plaza. Eyes glow at night and the monument is lit up for various causes throughout the year.

For $10 a person, guests can gain access to a behind-the-scenes tour of the speedway. Highlights include the 45-foot tall "Miles the Monster" monument and the Monster Bridge, which holds 56 seats and sits 29 feet above the entrance to turn three. It has been described as the "most exciting seat in sports" and is typically reserved for VIPs, sponsors, and contest winners.

The Monster Bridge has 56 seats that are generally reserved for VIPs, sponsors and contest winners.

Race champions sign the seats.

Tours are held at 10 a.m. on Thursdays and begin and end in the ticket lobby. Due to construction, tours are on hold and will resume on October 17.

Climb Aboard Decommissioned Aircraft

What little boy hasn't played with airplanes? A trip to the Air Mobility Command Museum on Heritage Road on the grounds of the sprawling Dover Air Force Base will have children staring in wide-eyed wonder as they get up close and personal with 30 airlifters, refuelers, jets, helicopters and gliders housed in a historic WWII hangar. Best of all, it's free for the whole family.

Exhibits tell the story of humanitarian and war efforts that United States' citizens undertook to support our country. Budding aviators aged 10 and older can get in on the action by testing their skills in a free flight simulator where volunteers provide tips on take-off, flying in a pattern and landing.

Air Force 2 interior.

Air Force 2 was retired in 2011.

Visitors can climb aboard Air Force 2 for an inside glimpse of how our nation's leaders travelled. These aircraft are usually reserved for Vice Presidents, but this particular one shown above and retired in 2011 also carried Bush senior and junior, Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan.

Also on display is the C-5, known as the Air Force's largest strategic airlifter, which is capable of carrying cargo further than any other aircraft and has a jaw-dropping 51,000-gallon capacity gas tank, which enables it to fly a little over 7.2 thousand miles. Guests will have the opportunity to inspect the interior of the plane that has been used not only in the Vietnam War, Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom, but also in humanitarian missions during earthquakes, tsunamis and hurricanes.

The interior of the C-5, which flew up until 2013.

One of my favorites is the B-17G Flying Fortress, which was America's most famous bomber during WWII. More than 12,000 were produced for combat. Only 40 remain in museums, a dozen of which are in flying condition.

B-17G Flying Fortress. 

Every third Saturday from April through October, the museum hosts Open Cockpit Day, which allows the public full access to many of the museum's aircraft from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Learn about History at First State Heritage Park Historic Sites

Guests can spend hours at the First State Heritage Park Historic Sites located in the state's capital city of Dover. Stop first at the Welcome Center at 121 Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, North, to learn more about any of the 12 sites that are part of the "first urban park without boundaries." Among them are the Old State House, the John Bell House and the Johnson Victrola Museum.

The Old State House
The Old State House is free and open to the public and is located on Dover's Historic Green. Built in 1791, it served as Delaware's capitol building until 1933. Guests can imagine cases of yore being tried in the 18th-century style courtroom on the first floor, or laws being passed in the chambers of the state legislature on the second floor.

First floor of the Old State House.

Second floor of the Old State House features the former legislative chambers.

One of the more interesting architectural details includes a geometrical staircase designed by John Howe in 1791 and reproduced by restoration architects based on information found in both the building itself and in early documents.

Group tours are available upon request. The Old State House is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Sunday from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

The John Bell House

The John Bell House is the oldest structure on The Green.

The John Bell House is the oldest wooden structure on The Green and serves as a starting point for outdoor walking tours where visitors can learn more about the history of Dover.

Interior of the John Bell House.

The Johnson Victrola Museum
The Johnson Victrola Museum located at 375 S. New Street provides guests with information on the sound recording industry from the 1890's to 1929 and honors Dover native Eldridge Reeves Johnson who founded the Victor Talking Machine Company in 1901.

One fact that I found interesting as I learned more about Johnson is that he used his profits from the Victrolas to sign popular music acts so that people would buy records and then use his invention to play them.

The impressive collection of Victrolas is interesting and enlightening. Guests will learn the origination of the term "Put a sock in it," and the prices of these early "talking machines," some of which doubled as rather elaborate pieces of furniture and cost thousands. The picture below was said to be Johnson's favorite. Named "The Monarch," it was in production from 1901-1905 and sold for $35-$40.

The "Monarch" was a favorite of Eldridge Reeves Johnson.

Some Victrolas were very ornate and, as such, carried hefty pricetags.

Johnson's company made millions until he retired in 1927 and the company was sold to RCA two year's later. 

The Johnson Victrola Museum is open from Wednesday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free.

The First State Heritage Park offers programs and special events throughout the year. Download the latest schedule here.

Visit Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge

Located about a half-hour drive away on the eastern coast of Kent County on the Delaware Bay in Smyrna is a 15,978-acre refuge where guests can lay eyes on a wide variety of wildlife. Visitors have reported seeing Cooper's Hawks, Egrets, Bald Eagles, beavers, turkey vultures, barn owls, red foxes, bluebirds, wood ducks, deer, geese, mink, muskrats and more.

Egrets are just a few of the waterfowl spotted at Bombay Hook Wildlife Refuge.

Stop at the visitor's center to learn more about the observation towers and the five walking trails on the property, or to sign up for the 12-mile wildlife drive, which is another inexpensive, educational activity at just $4 a car.

Guests who have visited the wildlife refuge consider early spring and late fall to be ideal times to visit to avoid mosquitoes and other pesky bugs, but bug spray and long sleeves can do a lot to alleviate those issues during the warmer weather.

To learn more about the Bombay Hook Wildlife Refuge and hours of operation, visit their website by clicking here.

Pick Your Own Fruit

Fifer's Orchards is a family-owned business located just west of Dover at Camden-Wyoming Delaware. This is a special year for the Fifer family as they celebrate 100 years in the business.

Fifer's offers an activity that is fun for the whole family called the "U-Pick Experience," where guests can visit the Farm and Country Store and be provided with directions on picking strawberries, blueberries, peaches, apples and pumpkins.

When I visited, blueberries were in season.

Jams, jellies, spaghetti sauce and honey available for sale.

Produce for sale at Fifer's.

In addition to offering fresh produce, the Country Store also sells hand-dipped ice cream, locally roasted coffee, glazed nuts, honey, milk, meats and cheeses and more.

To learn more about Fifer's hours and events, visit their website here. 

Mark Your Calendar for a 10-Day Fair
If there was ever a time to make it a point to attend the famous Delaware State Fair in Harrington, Delaware, it's now. This year promises to be extra special as the fair celebrates its centennial.

Entertainment includes musical acts like Reba McEntire, Gladys Knight, Jack Owen, Brothers Osborne and Bethel Music.

Additional attractions include a Demolition Derby, agricultural exhibits, an ice-skating arena, amusement rides and carnival games. Children, in particular, will enjoy the petting zoo and the racing pigs. The"Touch a Truck" event, which allows kids to interact with a collection of large vehicles, is sure to be a hit. Also, on tap is a large T-Rex that roams the grounds and interacts with fairgoers.

These are just a few of the many highlights that the state fair has to offer. To learn more, visit their website by clicking here.

If these recommendations aren't enough, you'll also find plenty of waterways in which to kayak, fish and enjoy other outdoor adventures.

These are just a few recommendations for family fun in Kent County Delaware. For a wide variety of low cost activities, Kent County is hard to beat.