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Birding the Delmarva Peninsula by Kayak

Program Number: 20903RJ
Start and End Dates:
9/16/2013 - 9/20/2013;
Duration: 4 nights
Location: Georgetown (Delaware), Delaware
Price starting at: $848.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Birding; Water Sports
Meals: 10; 4 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners    
Meal Options: Kosher; Low Fat; Low Salt; Vegetarian    

The shorelines, bays and inlets of Maryland and Virginia are prime habitats for a myriad of bird species and other animals. Add to your birding life list as you explore the tranquil waterways of the Delmarva Peninsula via kayak, with the help of a seasoned naturalist and kayaking instructors. Spot seabirds, Pileated Woodpeckers, Barred Owls, Bald Eagles and more during outings along the white-sand beaches of Assateague Island, the quiet waters of Nassawango Creek and the bald-cypress swamps of the Pocomoke River.




Highlights

• Paddle along the creeks of Sinepuxent Bay on Assateague Island and spot shorebirds, herons and wild horses.
• Search for osprey and Bald Eagles and learn about saltmarsh ecology as you kayak along Janes Island.
• Delve into the region’s history during field trips to the Rackliffe House, the J. Millard Tawes Historical Museum and the Furnace Town Living Heritage Museum.



Activity Particulars

Paddling 3-5 miles per day on mostly flat water; walking up to one-half mile.



Coordinated by Delaware Technical Community College.




Georgetown (Delaware)

Located near world-class Atlantic beaches, Georgetown was established when the seat of Sussex County was moved there in 1791. Today, although young relative to other communities in the county, Georgetown has some of the finest architecture in Delaware and a robust history that includes its years as part of a divided Civil War border state.
Accommodations
Comfortable motel with indoor/outdoor heated pool and Jacuzzi.
Meals and Lodgings
   The Dunes Manor Hotel
  Ocean City, MD 4 nights
 The Dunes Manor Hotel
Type: Motel
  Contact info: 2800 Baltimore Avenue
Ocean City, MD 21842 USA
phone: 800-523-2888
web: dunesmanor.com/
  Facility amenities: All Guestrooms & Efficiencies are Oceanfront with a Private Balcony Each Guestroom offers a Refrigerator, Microwave and Coffee Maker Complimentary Wireless Internet Access Throughout Hotel All Efficiencies offer a Fully Equipped Kitchen Hair Dryers, Iron & Ironing Board, Clock Radio CATV with HBO and Disney Channels Individually Climate Controlled Handicap Accessible Rooms Complimentary Afternoon Tea Complimentary Coffee each Morning in the Lobby Indoor/Outdoor Heated Pool with Jacuzzi and Sundeck Year Round Oceanfront Restaurant & Lounge Outdoor Café & Beach Bar (in-season) Room Service Exercise Room Jewellery Shop Complimentary Parking (1 space per room)
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: Approximately $84-$114 Please contact The Dunes Hotel directly at 800-523-2888 or visit their website dunesmanor.com/ for current rates and to make reservations.
  Check in time: 3:00 PM
  Additional nights after: Approximately $84-$114 Please contact The Dunes Hotel directly at 800-523-2888 or visit their website dunesmanor.com/ for current rates and to make reservations.
  Check out time: 11:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
4:00 pm You will be staying at The Dunes Manor Hotel that night.
  End of Program:
11:00 am You will be staying at The Dunes Manor Hotel the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. Waiver for Kayaking.
  Parking availability:
1 space per room
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Ocean City, MD
  Nearest city or town:  Salisbury, MD
  Nearest highway: Route 50
  Nearest airport:  KSBY - Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional
  From End of Program
  Location: Ocean City, MD
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Amtrak/Wilmington

 

From Train Station

 
 

Service:

 

Public Transportation
Greyhound Bus
phone: 800-872-7245
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Rates vary please contact Amtrak
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

Apprx. 2 1/2 hours 
 

Distance:

 

108 miles
   

There is Amtrak service to Wilmington, DE. From train station there is the Greyhound bus station across the street. Please contact them on 800-231-2222 for rates.
 

BWI Marshall

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
BayRunner Shuttle
phone: 410-334-6440
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Approximately First Person $104.00; Party of (2) $158.00; Party of (3) $206.00; Party of (4) $246.00
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

~ 3 hours 
 

Distance:

 

110 miles
   

The above information is to the Park & Ride in Ocean City, MD; but then need to take taxi (Dave's Taxi (410) 250-2400 ~ approx. $50 & Aaron Taxi ~ approx. $65.00 (410) 430-7728 to Rehoboth Beach/Lewes, DE ) The Baltimore Washington International Airport does not provide commuter flights to the Wicomico-Ocean City Regional Airport. If you have chosen to fly into this airport, you must rent a car and follow driving directions from DC/Baltimore Area or use the BayRunner Shuttle.
 

Cape May/Lewes Ferry

 

From Ferry Landing

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Dart Shuttle Bus
phone: 800-652-DART
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Free shuttle service from ferry terminal to downtown Rehoboth Beach, DE
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

30 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

8 miles
   

Shuttle service operates seven days a week June 15 to September 30. In May, early June and in October, the shuttle service runs on weekends only. For taxi service call City Cab 302-227-8294 or Eastside Cab 302-645-6800 approximately $25-$27.
 

Salisbury Wicomico Airport

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi
Dave's Taxi
phone: 410-250-2400
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

~ Approximately $50 Call for reservations & current pricing
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

1-1/2 hours 
 

Distance:

 

45 miles
   

Dave's Taxi (410) 250-2400 ~ approx. $50 to Ocean City, MD &/or Rehoboth/Lewes, DE; Aaron's Taxi (410) 430-7728 ~ approx. $65 to Rehoboth/Lewes, DE &/or Ocean City, MD. Call for current pricing and reservations.
 
Driving Directions
  To the Dunes Hotel From Baltimore/Washington D.C. Cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, on Route 50 East. Stay on Route 50 east into Ocean City, MD coming over the Route 50 bridge. Take a left onto Coastal Highway and a Right onto 28th Street. The Dunes Manor Hotel is on 2800 Baltimore Avenue 28th St.
  To the Dunes Hotel From Great Lakes Region Take I-70 east to the Baltimore, MD area. From I-70, take the Rt. 695 “Beltway” southeast to the Glen Burnie area, and Rt. 97 south. Take Rt. 97 south to Rt. 50 east (Annapolis and Bay Bridge) Cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, on Route 50 East. Stay on Route 50 east into Ocean City, MD coming over the Route 50 bridge. Take a left onto Coastal Highway and a Right onto 28th Street. The Dunes Manor Hotel is on 2800 Baltimore Avenue 28th St.
  To the Dunes Hotel From New England Areas From the New England States, Take I-95 South, to the New Jersey Turnpike, and the Delaware Memorial Bridge. From I-95 south to Exit 4-A to Route 1 (Christiana) South to Dover, DE. Continue South to Route 1 South. Approaching Milford, DE follow Route 1 South/Shore Points to Rehoboth/Lewes area. Continue on Route 1 through Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach & Fenwick Island, DE. Route 1 enters Ocean City and becomes Coastal Highway at 146th St. Take a left onto 28th Street and The Dunes Manor Hotel is located at 2800 Baltimore Avenue 28th St.
  To the Dunes Hotel From New York State/ Canada Take I-81 south, through New York, to Harrisburg, take I-83 south to the Rt. 695 “Beltway” around Baltimore, MD. Take Rt. 695 to Rt. 97, south to Annapolis, MD. Follow signs for Bay Bridge to Rt. 50 east. Cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, on Route 50 East. Stay on Route 50 east into Ocean City, MD coming over the Route 50 bridge. Take a left onto Coastal Highway and a Right onto 28th Street. The Dunes Manor Hotel is on 2800 Baltimore Avenue 28th St.
  To the Dunes Hotel From Phialdelphia/Charlotte Airports Fly into the Philadelphia or Charlotte International Airports and transfer to a commuter flight to Salisbury Wicomico-Ocean City Regional Airport in Salisbury, MD. Call US Airways Charter Services at 800-428-4322 to make reservations and for current schedule, or call Salisbury-Ocean City Regional Airport directly at 410-548-4827. The Baltimore Washington International Airport does not provide commuter flights to the Wicomico-Ocean City Regional Airport. If you have chosen to fly into this airport, you must rent a car and follow driving directions from DC/Baltimore Area or make reservations with the BayRunner Shuttle Service.
  To the Dunes Hotel From Points South/Norfolk, VA Cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, on Route 13 North. At Pocomoke City, MD bear right onto Route 113 North. Take 113 N to Route 50 east into Ocean City, MD crossing the Route 50 bridge. Turn left onto Coastal Highway at light and proceed North to 28th Street. The Dunes Manor Hotel is on 2800 Baltimore Avenue 28th St.
  To the Dunes Hotel From all Points North From I-95, south to Exit 4-A to Route 1 (Christiana) South to Dover, DE. Continue South to Route 1 South. Approaching Milford, DE follow Route 1 South/Shore Points to Rehoboth/Lewes area. Continue on Route 1 through Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach & Fenwick Island, DE. Route 1 enters Ocean City and becomes Coastal Highway at 146th St. Take a left onto 28th Street and The Dunes Manor Hotel is located at 2800 Baltimore Avenue 28th St.
  To the Dunes Hotel Via Cape May/Lewes Ferry From NY/NJ Take New Jersey Turnpike to Garden State Parkway to Route 109 Cape May Ferry in Cape May, NJ. From Lewes, DE take Route 1 South to Rehoboth/Lewes area. Continue on Route 1 through Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach, and Fenwick Island, DE. Route 1 enters Ocean City and becomes Coastal Highway at 146th Street. The Dunes Manor Hotel is on 2800 Baltimore Avenue 28th St.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Arrival and Welcome
(Monday, September 16)

Note: The Delmarva Peninsula, comprised of most of the State of Delaware and the Eastern Shores of MD&VA, is a fascinating region for the nature and heritage traveler. Instructor will share information and personal stories about the Peninsula's ecosystems, wildlife, and history to prepare you for your adventure.
   
 Dinner: 5:30pm - Dinner in Hotel Dining Room
 Evening: 6:30pm - An Overview of the Nature and Heritage of Delmarva.
   
Accommodations: The Dunes Manor Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Assateague Island by Kayak and Discussion on Pocomoke: Northernmost of the Southern Swamps.
(Tuesday, September 17)

Note: Assateague Island is famous for it's white sandy beaches and wild horses. After a short walk to learn about barrier island ecology you will paddle the marshy creeks of Sinepuxent Bay. You will have a good opportunity to see wild horses, herons, egrets, and shorebirds.
   
 Breakfast: 6:30 am - Breakfast in Hotel
 Morning: 7:30am - Depart for Assateague Island National Seashore. 8:15am - Explore Assateague Island by Kayak.
 Lunch: 11:30am - Picnic Lunch at the Assateague Island Visitor Center.
 Afternoon: Explore Visitor Center & Rackliffe House until bus departs. The exhibits in the visitor center will add to your island adventure. The Rackliffe house is a beautifully restored 18th-Century coastal plantation manor.
 Dinner: Dinner in Hotel Dining Room
 Evening: Lecture on the next days paddle through the bald cypress swamps of the Pocomoke River. Known as the Northernmost of the Southern Swamps, and is one of the great Delmarva rivers explored by Capt John Smith during his Chesapeake explorations in 1608.
   
Accommodations: The Dunes Manor Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Snow Hill, MD, Explore Nassawango Creek by Kayak. Explore Furnace Town, Free Time and Independent Dinner.
(Wednesday, September 18)

Note: Nassawango Creek is a tributary of the Pocomoke. Along its banks lie bald cypress swamps and upland forests that provide habitat for warblers, turtles, and beaver. Funace Town is a historic village sitting along the Nassawango Creek.
   
 Breakfast: 6:30am - Breakfast in Hotel
 Morning: Explore Nassawango Creek by Kayak
 Lunch: 11:30am - Picnic Lunch in Furnace Town
 Afternoon: Explore Furnace Town until bus Departs
 Evening: Independent Time to Enjoy Ocean City and Boardwalk.
   
Accommodations: The Dunes Manor Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: Explore Janes Island by Kayak, J Millard Tawes Historical Museum in Crisfield, MD
(Thursday, September 19)

Note: Janes Island offers paddlers an opportunity to learn about saltmarsh ecology and scan the horizons for herons, osprey, and bald eagles. The museum traces local history of the Native Americans, seafood harvesting & processing, and the evolution of decoy carving and painting.
   
 Breakfast: 6:30 am Breakfast in Hotel
 Morning: Explore Janes Island by Kayak. Enjoy the beauty and bounty of the Chesapeake Bay. Miles of water trails course through the saltmarsh and remote isolated beaches.
 Lunch: 11:30am - Picnic Lunch in Crisfield, MD
 Afternoon: Explore Tawes Museum and Downtown Crisfield until bus departs.
 Dinner: Dinner in Hotel Dining Room
 Evening: Lecture on Conserving Delmarva's Nature and History with Instructor and Guest Panel. You will learn about the people and organizations dedicated to finding a balance between human activity and natural process on the Peninsula.
   
Accommodations: The Dunes Manor Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Ocean City Inlet Birding and Tour of Historic Downtown Ocean City.
(Friday, September 20)

Note: Ocean City's inlet was created during a hurricane in 1933. Shorebirds feed among the rocks that form the inlet jetty, and many species of gull and tern depend on the fish that live in the bay. Walk along the boardwalk and learn about the history of this sleepy fishing village turned resort town.
   
 Breakfast: 6:30 am Breakfast in Hotel
 Morning: Depart for Downtown Ocean City Ocean City Inlet Birding and Historic Downtown Ocean City Tour 11am - Program Ends. Hotel Checkout
   
Meals Included: Breakfast

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Ocean City, MD Ocean City, MD
Vacation Guide-Information and Calendar of events for Ocean City, MD and surrounding areas. For additional information, visit www.oceancity.org
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


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