Delaware – Northern Delaware Greenway and Jack A. Markell Trail

September 17. 2020

Yesterday was a travel day. We left the campground in Woodbine, Maryland in the afternoon after spending the morning watching the tour, getting our bikes cleaned and getting the motorhome in order. We enjoyed seeing the Port of Baltimore and imagining what cargo comes and goes from there. We experienced the Fort McHenry Tunnel that travels under the Baltimore Harbor on I-95. Underwater in the motorhome – yikes!!

We spent last night in Elkton, Maryland at the Maryland Beer Company. They are part of Harvest Hosts and we were welcomed to stay on their property for the night. We enjoyed their Octoberfest craft beer and pizza in their taproom which has a large window looking into the brewery.

Spent quiet night at Maryland Brew Company.

We were only about 20 minutes from where we planned to park for access to the Nothern Delaware Greenway. Parking in Alapocas State Park was $8.00 for the day. There were only a few vehicles in this huge parking area.

The trail was described as being “filled with rolling curves and short drops”. I would described it as steep hills, twists and turns, long inclines and no flat areas. One person said it was no walk in the park. We agree. After saying all that, with what breath we have left, we enjoyed the challenge.

Rock walls along trail.
Near Brandywine Zoo.

We were parked in about the middle of the trail. The western section ended in Wilmington along the Brandywine Creek. It was a beautiful area and the trail through the hills of Alapocos State Park was beautiful.

The eastern section was not as well traveled and ended in Bellevue State Park. The hills were not as steep but there were some very long incline – fun going down work on our return.

Stone wall along trail.
Trail end was very abrupt!

Not many pictures to show for our efforts. Honestly it was too difficult to stop on the uphills and I was desperate not to waste my momentum on the downhills.

We drove to New Castle for an evening ride on the Jack A. Markell Trail.

This trail runs from New Castle through the Peterson Wildlife Refuge to downtown Wilmington on the Christina River. What a fun evening ride.

View of 2,300 foot boardwalk over marsh of Peterson Wildlife Refuge.

Wilmington, Delaware from top of boardwalk

We really enjoyed the river walk area in downtown Wilmington. Many restaurants, miniature golf, a riverboat and many areas to sit and relax. I imagine before the pandemic this area would have been thriving. Restaurants were open – no waiting for tables and we were able to ride our bikes at will along the riverwalk.

Constitution Yards is a summer only beer garden on the riverwalk. Would have stopped for a beer if not for the 8 mile pedal back to motorhome.
Large cranes are part of the boardwalk.
Education Center overlooks Christina River and marsh.

We are 35 miles into our Delaware 100. There are not many long trails in Delaware so we will be experiencing many different trails and areas of the state. We are heading south tomorrow.