On a cold, windy, rainy day, our social media followers joined the the Delaware State Parks marketing team for the winter InstaMeet at Cape Henlopen State Park!

What is an InstaMeet? These free events (with paid park admission) allow our State Parks social media community the opportunity to come together, meet new people, take photos, and enjoy our parks!

For this InstaMeet, we all braved the weather to hike the iconic Point at Cape Henlopen. We selected this hike for the winter InstaMeet because the Point is only open to people from October-February, and closes each year in March to protect nesting shorebirds. Despite the weather, there were plenty of photo opportunities. During the hike, a park naturalist shared information about the natural and cultural history of the park, and we ended the evening with hot chocolate and cookies.

Here are some of the great shots captured by attendees.

We started the evening by learning about the park, and how the Point was formed. We learned that the Point is a dynamic, ever-changing environment that serves as a nesting ground for migratory shorebirds.

Photo by @DEStateParks

Photo by Jon Wyatt

Photo by Jon Wyatt

Photo by @DEStateParks

It was low tide during the hike, allowing us to walk out on the sand bars in the Delaware Bay.

Photo by @DEStateParks

Photo by @ahowarda

Photo by @DEStateParks

Photo by Jon Wyatt

Photo by Brian Garrity

Hiking the Point also gives you a great view of the red East End Breakwater Lighthouse.

Photo by @mattakespics

Photo by @johnsolano__

Photos by @kyeyul

Along the way, we discovered cool finds along the beach, including whelk egg cases, sea glass, and even a whale bone!

Photo by @mcalagione

Photo by James Bailey

Photo by @mcalagione

We finally made it to the end of The Point, where the Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean meet. At the end of the Point, you have a great view of the white Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse.

Photo by @DEStateParks

Photo by @staysaltyrehoboth

Photo by @delawareian

Photo by James Bailey

Photo by Jon Wyatt

Photo by @DEStateParks

Photo by @johnsolano__

After the hike, we ended the evening with hot chocolate and cookies by the beach.

Photo by Jon Wyatt

Keep an eye on Delaware State Parks social media sites for info on our next InstaMeet. If you couldn’t make it this time around, you can still join the conversation and share your adventures in Delaware State Parks by using the hashtag #DEStateParks. We love to see what our guests are up to and may even feature your photo!