The Drive » Take Rte 9
northeast from Laurel for about
10.5 miles, cutting through
farmland, fields, forests, no-
name unincorporated areas
and the fantastically named
Hardscrabble Road to reach
Georgetown.4 Georgetown
The most attractive
buildings in the seat
of Sussex County
are arranged around
Georgetown Circle, an
atypical round town
green (in these parts,
town centers are usually
square) anchored by a
handsome courthouse on
its northeast side.
Georgetown’s economy
is largely linked to
a nearby chicken-
processing plant. The
facility is staffed by many
workers from Central
America, giving this
small town a surprisingly
large Latin enclave.
Five miles northwest is
the Redden State Forest,
the largest state forest
(9500 acres) in Delaware.
You can access some 44
miles of trails, primarily
from E Redden Rd, which
leads past the Redden
State Forest & Education
Center (%302-698-4500;
[email protected];
18074 Redden Forest Drive; h
8am-4:30pm by appointment).5 p244
The Drive » You could get to
your next destination via DE-1,
but it’s not the most attractive
road. Instead, head west on
DE-404 for 11 miles, then turn
right (north) on US 13 andfollow it for 30 miles until you
reach Dover.5 Dover
Dover’s city center is
quite attractive; the
rowhouse-lined streets
are peppered with
restaurants and shops
and, on prettier lanes,
broadleaf trees spread
their branches and
provide good shade.
Learn about the first
official state – Delaware- at First State Heritage
Park (%302-744-5055; 121
Martin Luther King Blvd North;
h8am-4:30pm Mon-Fri, from
9am Sat, 1:30-4:30pm Sun).
This complex of buildings
serves as a welcome center
for the city of Dover, the
state of Delaware and
the adjacent statehouse.
Access the latter via the
Georgian Old Statehouse
(%302-744-5055; http://
history.delaware.gov/museums;
25 The Green; h9am-4:30pm
Mon-Sat, from 1:30pm Sun),
built in 1791 and since
restored, which contains
art galleries and in-depth
exhibits on the First State’s
history and politics.
The Drive » It’s a quick 7-mile
drive southeast on DE-1 to
Dover AFB. Take exit 91 for
Delaware 9 toward Little Creek/
Kitts Hummock, and keep an
eye out for signs leading to
the Air Mobility Command
Museum.6 Dover AFB
Dover Air Force Base
(AFB) is a visible symbol ofTRIP HIGHLIGHTPAT & CHUCK BLACKLEY/ALAMY ©WASHINGTON.DC,.MARYLAND.&.DELAWARE.TRIPS20
(^) EASTERN SHORE ODYSSEY