Leaving Sussex County, headed North on Route 1 take a moment to visit Coastal Heritage Greenway Stop 22 before beginning Kent Coastal Cruisin’.  This is about 27.7 miles North on Route 1 from the Lewes WaWa.

 

Here is Barratt’s Chapel - built in 1780, on land donated by Philip Barratt, a prominent political figure in Kent County. Barratt, who had recently become a Methodist, wanted to build a center for the growing Methodist movement in Delaware.   Barratt's Chapel is the oldest surviving church building in the United States built by and for Methodists. But it earns its title as the "Cradle of Methodism" because of what happened here in 1784

Methodism began in England as a movement within the Church of England led by John and Charles Wesley. As members of the Methodist Societies emigrated to the American colonies, Methodism took root in the New World.
In 1784, with peace returned following the Revolutionary War, John Wesley sent his friend Thomas Coke to America with instructions to find Asbury and to discuss with him the future of American Methodism. Coke came to Barratt's Chapel on Sunday, November 14, 1784, expecting to find Asbury. As Wesley's personal emissary Coke was invited to preach. During the sermon Asbury arrived. Coke came down from the pulpit and embraced him. A star in the floor of the Chapel commemorates this historic meeting. During this service the sacraments of baptism and communion were administered for the first time by ordained Methodist clergy.  From the parking lot walk under the Barratt’s Chapel arch where you will be near a number of fenced family plots. Go to the one where Esther Fassit, widow of Joe Townsend, lies horizontal. While you stand there looking at the inscription let your eyes wander into the branches of the cedar tree. Without bending or breaking the branches, carefully remove the Monyloop Resort Bonus nestled therein. It may be time to keep moving, take a rest on the bench surrounding the tree in the parking lot, mosey back, maybe around the white picket fence this time. Oh, did you drop something on the ground there by Esther that you need to go back and get? This place may be busy on the weekends when the museum is open - so get your camera ready.

 

Just before Dover bear right onto Route 9 and look around while at the STOP Sign.  This will be a leisurely drive where you will be ducking in and out of Route 9 traffic ending at Bombay Hook Wildlife Refuge for about ten boxes and 30 miles (plus a 10 mi auto tour).

 

There is a saying in Dartmoor England - where the original Letterbox is located in the middle of marshy lands “The Dartmoor ponies go where the hummocks grow.”  Well, for your next box you need to follow the Dartmoor ponies.  But only for 0.2 miles till you reach the entrance to the John Dickinson Mansion. 

 

Kingston-Upon-Hull is the abandoned home on the The St Jones River Trail - or more specifically: Beginning at a Corner marked black Oake standing by the side of the (71) Marsh which Lyeth between the Land and the Creek nigh unto the upper side of the Cleered grownd And from the said Oak Runing North East by a Line of marked Trees, dividing this from the Land of Robert Jones three hundred and Seventy perches to the side of a Marsh which proceedeth from the maine Bay and from thence South East two hundred perches and the South West by a Line of marked Trees dividing this from the Land belonging to the Towne point, two hundred fifty and Eight perches to a Corner marked Black Oak standing at the Head of a Great Marsh branch, which divideth this from the Towne Point.  It dates from the late 17th century. Among its more illustrious owners were Sarah Rodney Nowell, mother of Caesar Rodney, Jr. and Dr. Nathaniel Luff, Sarah’s grandson. Dr. Luff sold the property to John Dickinson in 1796, making him the last resident owner of Kingston-Upon-Hull. Since Dickinson’s purchase, this building has been occupied by various tenants. Around 1800 it was the home of a free black family. Later in the century it was part of Brookdale, an agricultural community that thrived here along the river.  This Monyloop State Bonus box has been temporarily located here in the base of a tree just inside the gate and to the right near the crop field. This is a good time to stop and read the historical marker about the famous house just up the drive. Although advised by the folks at St Jones Reserve that Kingston-Upon-Hull is in a safety zone for hunting . . . there were a lot of signs for hunting locations surrounding the house and I don’t want any of my gamers mistaken for real game!  

 

Back in your car, go right out of the drive for 0.4 miles.  This is now part of the St Jones Greenway and the trail is open 10AM to dusk - everyday.  The visitor center and its restrooms are only open during the week.  From the parking lot, the 2 mile (in/out) trail begins at the end of the gravel path over to the left of the recycling center and ends at Kingston-Upon-Hull.  But you will only have to go in about 1/3 mile. Traverse the boardwalk before you leave the marsh and head into the woods taking a right at Post #4. At Post #7 you will find Falling Water under the Fallen Tree. Standing at the stump facing the tree, go to the right where a forked branch rests in the buses. Look down at the severed limb which covers the Monyloop State Bonus box. Ah, the convenience of a bench nearby.

Return to your car and exit the property turning left whence you came.  Back at Route 9 go North 3 miles and hang a quick right onto Pickering Beach Rd.  At the end of the road turn about and park in the marked spaces.  I have brought you to this location for it carries an important message.  It is on the info board.  If you read it through a clue will be deciphered.  The beach is open 10AM-6PM. Facing 82 degrees at the info board, take the number of steps you get when multiplying 25 by the "number of species". Find the shell to your right. Remember to flip the horseshoe crab over . . . oh, that’s for when it is on its back . . . or if it is hatching a Horseshoe Crab stamp!

 

Your car should be facing to head back out from Pickering Beach, but not so fast!  Did you see the orange gate to the Little Creek State Wildlife Area when you drove in?  Pull in and stop - the gate should be closed - unless they open it for hunting season.  This close to the main road you should be safe.  Just to the right of the gate, between the rusty pole and a piece of Jersey wall is Dover AFB and perhaps a plane in the sky.

 

Get back to Route 9 and continue North about 4.5 miles to Edgewater Farm Lane  (SR-338).  Follow it 0.3 miles to a driveway with a tree sign that is the next part of the clue.  At 0.1 miles there is a break in the hedges on the right. Pull to side of road and slip down the hill into the field. Just to the right is a limb on the ground resting on top of this Monyloop Vehicle. The reason it is parked here is because across the field you can see the Octagonal School of Cowsgill Corner. (Being on private property this is as close as you can get.)

Among the earliest of the schools opened in Kent County under the free School Law of 1829.  Built about 1836 of undressed stone, designed by Manlove Hayes, an early educator, the school was in use until 1930.  Girls and Boys sat at benches in rows facing in opposite directions.  The outside row faced the wall.  It has been noted that due to the sandy soil of Kent & Sussex Counties, stone buildings were uncommon and the stone had to be brought in from the North.

 

 

 

Back on Route 9 going North following the Coastal Heritage Greenway #18 sign into Leipsic.  This town has a tasty history.   In 1723, the town of Fast Landing was laid out on Little Duck Creek. The site was the first solid land up the creek from the bay. For almost two centuries, muskrats, oysters, salt hay, peaches, and tomatoes were bought and sold at the town’s wharf. In 1814, the thriving trade in muskrat pelts prompted the residents to change the town’s name to Leipsic for Leipzig, Germany, a noted fur-shipping port.   Muskrat is a popular dish in Delaware’s rural areas. From December to mid-March, the role of the muskrat in local life is evident. From trappers in hip boots and rain jackets to weekly muskrat dinners in local diners, the muskrat is very much a part of the local landscape.  (The Wagon Wheel in Smyrna was recommended for this tasty dish – ‘tastes like roast beef’ she said.) 

Between 1836 and 1854, small boats were constructed in Leipsic and local products were shipped to Philadelphia. In 1888, Leipsic Canning Company was said to be the largest in the state, with an annual capacity of one million cans. Now the several fishing boats tied to the pier remain as proud symbols of the past.  But the trucks for Blue Crab Company signal an even tastier treat.

 

Turn left onto Front Street and pull up to Sambo’s Tavern. As soon as those 21 or older step inside, you know this is the place for blue crabs and a brew.  Bring cash, cause they don’t take credit.  And don’t leave this find for Sunday - or the doors will be shut!  Otherwise the bar is open 9AM-11PM.

 

Leipsic resident Samuel “Sambo” Burrows opened the popular crab house in 1953. The present owners are his son, Isaac Burrows, and his wife Elva.   On the bar behind the chips rack is what you seek

Had your fill?  Continue up Front Street and turn right at the STOP sign.  Go about 1.4 miles and turn right again onto Whitehall Neck Rd - heading to Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge for the last four boxes.  They have a $4 day fee, unless you are the proud owner of a Duck Stamp - which will get you into all National Wildlife Refuges.  Duck Stamps can be purchased at the Post Office – but they cannot be used for postage!  At the visitors center pick up the Auto Tour Route Map . . . unless you already printed it from de-games.tripod.com MAPS link.  At least the restrooms will be open, even if the visitors center is closed.  After Sambo’s you might need them, right? 

Your first stop is the Boardwalk Trail. Follow it around to the four wood posts standing in a row. At the base of the left most post under some bark is a Monyloop Bonus Box.

Next, pull up and park at Parsons Point Trail. It will probably still be closed for eagle nesting, but if there wasn’t a box, you probably would not have stopped to read the sign. At the other sign (1.0 mile) - take 3 steps forward into the woods and just to the left at the base of a sapling covered in leaves is a Monyloop Resort Box.

Lions and Elephants and Bears, Oh! My! One of these has a trail. At the observation tower, before you climb the steps up a massive leg, duck under the crossbar to retrieve a Monyloop Bonus Box between cement footing and fence. With all these animals, did you think it was the National Zoo?

On to the last box in this series which takes you to Allee House – or at least to the gate which may be closed. But you may be able to get an exterior peek while you grab Caesar Rodney from under the left most holly tree at the split rail fence.

The Allee House is one of the best-preserved early farm houses in Delaware. It was built by Abraham Allee, son of a Huguenot refugee, in about 1753.  This Georgian-style house, as well as the surrounding environment, remain unaltered in appearance. The house stands alone on a broad plain overlooking cultivated fields, woodlands, and marshes, just as it did when it was built. The Allee House is currently a private residence and is open for tours on weekends in the spring and fall. Hours are from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 

If the gate is open, take Dutch Neck Rd 0.6 mile to Route 9 (Haypoint Landing Rd - SR-11) and turn left.  At 1.4 miles turn right onto Smyrna-Leipsic Rd (SR-12) - if you are feeling lucky

 

If the gate is closed, then follow the Bombay roads back to the visitors center and exit via Whitehall Neck Rd to Route 9 and go right 0.25 miles where you bear left on Smyrna-Leipsic Rd - again, if you are feeling lucky.