This stretch of the C&O Canal is popular because of its unparalleled beauty.
western Maryland
Exploring Maryland’s Iconic Casselman Bridge State Park
“We build too many walls and not enough bridges.” — Isaac Newton Like Thomas Shoals Lighthouse outside of Annapolis, the Cassalman Bridge in western Maryland is an iconic Maryland image. Casselman Bridge once carried the National Road across Casselman River in Garrett County. It remains one of Maryland’s most picturesque places, instantly Facebook and Instagram […]
Maryland’s Best Kept Secret: A Cozy Cabin Hideaway at New Germany State Park
We just discovered Maryland’s “best kept secret,” renting a cabin at New Germany State Park. Nestled between Big Savage Mountain and the Eastern Continental Divide, New Germany State Park offers 10 miles of hiking, a lake to swim or kayak on, and of course, 12 cabins. This was our first stay at a state park […]
Maryland’s Beauty Spots — A Driving Tour to Green Ridge State Forest’s Scenic Overlooks
Come on a journey to seven of Maryland’s beauty spots, during a scenic drive that will take you through the country roads and byways of the Green Ridge State Forest, past forgotten family cemeteries and to some of the prettiest spots in western Maryland. Plan on at least three hours for this 44-mile scenic drive […]
Murder Mystery Aboard the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad
It was a dinner and the “Late, Late, Late Show” while riding our favorite scenic railroad through the mountains of Western Maryland, filled with comedic improvisation and interactive murder mystery fun! The conductor welcomes us aboard. We were seated at our table in one of the two “heritage” dining cars for the evening’s journey. The performance […]
Hiking Greenbriar State Park — Big Red and Rock Oak Fire Trails
Greenbrier State Park, just off I-70, is another of Maryland’s lovely state parks, and offers public recreation on South Mountain, just 3 miles northeast of Boonsboro in Washington County. The state park offers camping, fishing, a boat ramp, hiking trails, and a 42-acre man-made lake with picnicking areas and a sand beach that is quite […]
More Romance on the Rails
We first went on the Romance on the Rails two years ago, and enjoyed it so much we went on it again this year. Every year the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad offers this romantic excursion in February (throughout the year, other excursions are offered). Bruce, the train conductor, welcomes each guest personally onto the excursion! […]
C&O Canal: Paw Paw Tunnel to Lock 56
Our destination on this lovely, late summer Sunday morning was 20 miles of the C&O Canal between the Paw Paw Tunnel (mile marker 156.2) and Lock 56 (mile marker 136.2), which is the terminus of the Western Maryland Rail Trail, which we’ve biked several times. The Paw Paw Tunnel cuts 5 miles length off of […]
Winter Walk in Swallow Falls State Park
When the weather outside is frightful, A walk in the park can be delightful! I was hoping for both snow and frozen water falls, but I was disappointed by balmy 40-degree days over the Christmas holidays. My family and I had rented a cabin, right on the shores of Deep Creek Lake. Plans included going […]
Romance on the Rails
My husband suggested a romantic evening on Saturday, 13 February. He started describing the evening. He had me at “train ride.” But it kept getting better and better. A four-course, romantic meal in one of Western Maryland Scenic Railroad’s restored dining cars, a complimentary bottle of wine, and a kidless evening out… We arrived in […]