The Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad is a heritage railroad based in Romney, WV. The railroad operates excursion trains over a former Baltimore and Ohio Railroad line that runs between Green Spring and Petersburg. Since 1991, Potomac Eagle has operated scenic rail excursions through the South Branch Valley in West Virginia. As you wind along […]
Year: 2021
Hiking in the Patuxent Research Refuge
The Patuxent Research Refuge offers several nearly level hikes that include a lot of interest, including a the 1.8 mile Cash Lake Loop Trail, the 4.9 mile North Tract Loop, and the 2.4 mile Forest Trail. Stretched for time, we chose the shorter “hike” (more like a walk, although there were a few muddy spots […]
Mysteries of the Hudson Highland State Park: Cornish Ruins Hike
Why are ruins so fascinating? Do we expect to see the ghosts of the people who lived or worked there to suddenly appear? I don’t know the answer to that, but I’m fascinated by ruins. There’s something sad and creepy and symbolic about beautiful places that have been abandoned. There’s almost a fairytale set of […]
The Secrets of Pemberton Hall
Nearly 300 years old, Pemberton Hall is located in Salisbury, MD in Wicomico County. When it was built, as now, it was surrounded by a rural, wetland landscape. The building holds it secrets. Col. Isaac Handy built the home in 1741. Although decades of neglect in the 20th century brought it to the point of […]
Take the Most Peaceful Walk in the Park Ever through the Trap Pond Loop
Trap Pond is the feature of this small but lovely Delaware state park. Freshwater wetlands once covered a large portion of southwestern Sussex County, DE, where Trap Pond State Park is located. Featuring the northernmost natural stand of bald cypress trees in North America, Trap Pond State Park retains a part of those wetlands’ […]
Cool Sights Along the Maryland Creamery Trail in Frederick County
Our goal was simple and sweet: head out to sample two stops along the Maryland Creamery Trail in Frederick County. Along the way we enjoyed the pretty farmland countryside, discovered some hidden Civil War history, found some instantly instagramable old trucks, and — oh yeah, enjoyed the best summer snack ever! About a decade ago, […]
Discovering History: Washington’s Headquarters at Newburgh
None of Washington’s military headquarters during the War for Independence is of greater historical significance than the Hasbrouck House at Newburgh, NY. The private home that became General George Washington’s headquarters between April 1782 and August 1783 was where he made some of his most important contributions to the United States of America. It was […]
The Yummiest Daytrip Ever: Following the Ice Cream Trail in Mountain Maryland
The Golden Lady Sundae, by Frostburg Freeze We decided to usher in the unofficial start of summer Memorial Day Weekend by following the Allegheny County Ice Cream Trail. Our goal: to sample at least five of the nine stops along the tasty trail. #caloriesdon’tcountonanicecreamtrail I have a Know Before You Go pro-tip right of the […]
Minnewaska State Park: Rainbow Falls Hike
I rely on AllTrails.com almost as much as I rely on AllRecipes.com. I have no idea whether the two are related. But they’re both great resources! Lake Minnewaska, one of the parks several “sky lakes” and for which, the state park is named. So during our visit to the Hudson Valley area, I’d planned out […]
Taking the Healing Waters at Capon Springs and Farms Resort
The Capon Springs and Farms Resort is a family friendly, traditional resort nestled in the mountains along the Capon River, adjacent the George Washington National Forest. With a history dating back to pre-Civil War days, almost all the buildings on the property are historic, so it’s a bit like stepping back in time! Because the […]
What Haunts the Patapsco Female Institute?
The Patapsco Female Institute, at least what’s left of it, is haunted of course, like any self-respecting ruins would be. I got two VERY interesting photographs almost as soon as I was out of the car. I shared these on a paranormal enthusiasts site (Haunted Nation), and the comments and interpretations were quite interesting: one […]
Five Locks Walk: Learning About the D&H Canal in High Falls, NY
There are some interesting ruins along the canal. I walked in the steps of a hoggee. Yes, you read that correctly: a hoggee, or boys or girls (usually boys) who led the mules that pulled the boats along the 108-mile Delaware and Hudson Canal, which ran from Honesdale, PA to Kingston, NY. In one of the […]
USS New Jersey – Exploring a WWII Battleship
Ever since spending a couple of years of my childhood in Panama, I’ve enjoyed touring battleships. Luckily, there are a few in the mid-Atlantic region, including one in Camden, NJ: the USS New Jersey. The USS New Jersey is an Iowa-class battleship, and was the second ship of the U.S Navy to be named after […]
River Views Along Jesse’s Trail – Little Gunpowder Falls Loop Hike
This loop hike in Gunpowder Falls State Park (Central Area) takes you for an energizing hike up a heavily forested hillside before finishing with a calming walk alongside the lovely Little Gunpowder Falls river. Despite ample parking at the trailhead at Belair Road, for about 10 or so cars (depending on how close they park […]
Falls of Hills Creek — Highland Scenic Highway’s Hidden Gem
We fell for the Falls of Hills Creek! This was a delightful find, along the north half of the Allegheny Scenic Highway. As we drove by, we saw the sign for Falls of Hills Creek and wondered what we were missing, so we turned to check it out. Turns out, it was a breath-taking (in […]