Heather and I are truly fortunate to be Disciples of Christ and on this journey of discovery.

Crossing the lower Chesapeake Bay on US Route 13 takes you across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel in Virginia. This 17.6-mile marvel of engineering costs $16.00 one-way for passenger vehicles, features a mix of low-level trestles and two underwater tunnels, and takes about 20 to 25 minutes to drive.

This morning, we embarked on a journey from Virginia Beach, arriving in the charming town of Bethany Beach. The town’s rich history is deeply intertwined with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Bethany Beach was established by Disciples members from the Washington DC area and Pennsylvania. The town’s first building, a tabernacle, was dedicated in 1901. Camp Bethany Beach, situated on 15 donated acres, was intended to serve as a “haven of rest for quiet individuals.” Over time, the town gradually grew around the tabernacle, eventually adopting the name Bethany Beach in honor of the camp.

The Town of Bethany Beach is inviting residents and visitors to commemorate its 125th anniversary with two special events. The first celebration will be Founders Day Weekend, held over Labor Day Weekend, September 4–7. This event will mark Bethany Beach’s 125th birthday and also recognize America’s 250th anniversary, creating a unique joint 125/250 celebration honoring both milestones. Heather and I are a bit early for this momentous occasion. We will be celebrating Labor Day on the Sapphire Princess, a cruise ship departing from Boston, Massachusetts, and heading to Quebec, Canada. It would have been an honor to have been here to commemorate this milestone.

We had a guided tour of the camp with the new camp manager. We provided our names, but she never shared hers. She proudly declared herself a Greek Orthodox, not a Disciple. She repeatedly emphasized our neediness. She was underpaid and overworked, having only a few days off since starting her job. We had scheduled this visit with the camp for months. However, yesterday we received a text informing us of an emergency and that she couldn’t provide a tour. We arrived to inquire if we could simply explore the camp. She offered a 15-minute tour, but we were grateful for her time, even though we felt like a burden and a means to vent. The camp is a beautiful and well-maintained place. She informed us that her camping season lasts for six weeks and that she has seven interns working for her, but needed more help.

The tabernacle and dining hall can comfortably accommodate 80 guests, while the entire camp can accommodate 125 people. The camp boasts Campbell Hall, a superior-designed building with two floors that can be used for various purposes. Additionally, the camp generates income from paid parking due to its convenient location just two blocks from the waterfront, with an agreement in place with the city. They also have a children’s park, a chapel, and a few older buildings that are in excellent condition.

Heather and I walk down to the boardwalk sat down for a minute and walked back to our car. We decided to have lunch at my choosing. I spied a restaurant on the other side of the Church and away we drove to Claws Seafood in Bethany Beach. Yes we paid for parking to eat lunch.

The crab legs were great, the battered fish had no flavor and I didn’t have a fry cause they were grease soaked. Heather had a chicken breast and it was rubbery. Definitely would not recommend if you are ever in Bethany Beach.

We are now checked in at our hotel in Georgetown Delaware. We have a long drive day tomorrow going to Camp Laurelview, Pennsylvania.

Tip of the day: Don’t use “Beef Stew” as a password. Apparently it’s not stroganoff!