During the COVID-19 pandemic, we followed Maryland’s “stay at home” orders, only venturing out for necessities and exercise, such as hiking and kayaking, and then only in less popular areas. One of our adventures was a really pretty paddle on the Patapsco River, putting in just above the dam at Daniels and paddling upstream about […]
Patriotic Daytrip at the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House
In 1813, the United States was at war with Great Britain. The British Royal Navy, by then, completely controlled the Chesapeake Bay, and Baltimore was preparing for an attack. Major George Armistead, commander of Fort McHenry, wanted a flag so large that the British would have no difficulty seeing it from a great distance, so […]
Kayaking the Wicomico River
We headed to Whitehaven, an historic industrial town along the banks of the Wicomico River, for this paddling adventure. Lining the shores of the fairly placid river were mud flats and marshland, with numerous inlets and creeks to explore. The Wicomico River is a 24-mile-long tributary of the Chesapeake Bay on the eastern shore of […]
Green Is the Theme on the Old Main Line Hike in PVSP
Hiking along the Old Main Line in Patapsco Valley State Park is one of my favorite hikes, and I’ve visited repeatedly, but, it seems, always during the winter. This time we returned just as summer was setting in, and everything was green, green, green. It was lovely! As we walked along the Patapsco River, trees […]
Johnstown Flood — A Disaster Still Relevant Today
The Johnstown Flood Museum Johnstown PA was a bustling city in the late 1800s, nestled in the Laurel Mountains, with a population higher than it enjoys today. By 1860, the Cambria Iron Company of Johnstown was the leading steel producer in the United States, outproducing steel plants in Pittsburgh and Cleveland. Through the latter half […]
Two Lexington Hotels
Lexington VA, the home to the legendary Virginia Military Institute and the Washington and Lee University, has a lot to offer those seeking a getaway weekend. In addition to lots of Civil War history and historic sites, there are outdoor adventures to be had! Not far away is the Virginia Safari Park and the Natural […]
Strolling Lynchburg’s Old City Cemetery
The Old City Cemetery is a historic cemetery in Lynchburg, Virginia. It is the oldest municipal cemetery still in use today in the state of Virginia, and one of the oldest such burial grounds in the United States. Between 15 and 20 thousand individuals are thought to be interred in Old City Cemetery. Unusual for […]
Five Little Known Must-See Civil War Battle Sites
The midAtlantic states offer a plethora of great Civil War battlefields and sites to explore, from the obscure (Balls Bluff) to the famous Gettysburg, Manassas and Antietam national battlefields. Although many of these battlefields’ visitors centers are currently closed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the need for social distancing, add these to your […]
Gadsby’s Tavern, a Gathering Place for our Nation’s Rich and Famous
Gadsby’s Tavern was a central part of the social, economic, political and educational life of Alexandria between 1785 and the mid-1800s. Here, the likes of George Washington, the Lee family, Dolly Madison, and Thomas Jefferson conversed, dined, and danced. Founded in 1785, Gadsby’s Tavern consisted of two buildings — the older tavern building and the […]
12 Urban Oases To Escape To!
When the urban jungle becomes too much for us, we naturally seek an oasis of peace and calm amidst the asphalt and pandemonium. I’ve found twelve surprising urban oases offering us the promise of lovely vistas, green relief, or a pleasant walk. These are all near or in major cities in the mid-Atlantic region: Pittsburgh, […]
Boating up the Broadkill River
The Broadkill River flows for its entire length in eastern Sussex County, DE. From Milton, the Broadkill River flows generally eastward, although it snakes through the landscape with lazy S curves that change the view constantly. The river passes through the wetlands and salt marshes of the Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge and skirts the […]
Three Great Hikes in Patapsco Valley State Park
Some of these hikes are really popular — so social distancing might be a bit difficult. But if you haven’t been on these hikes, these are three good ones to add to your bucket list! Patapsco Valley State Park extends along 32 miles of the Patapsco River, encompassing 16,043 acres and eight developed recreational areas. […]
Roar with the Wild Ones at Salisbury Zoo
If you’re looking for a few hours of fun or something fun to do with your kid, check out the Salisbury Zoo! Situated along a tributary to the Wicomico River, the 12-acre zoo focuses on species native to the Americas and Australia. You can see bison, Amazon macaws, white-tail deer, greater rhea, alpaca, black-tailed prairie […]
Release Your Inner Pirate Aboard Urban Pirates Cruise around Baltimore’s Inner Harbor!
There is so much to do in Baltimore for kids — from the serious (touring Fort McHenry) to the almost ridiculous (Ripley’s Believe It or Not Odditorium) — and Urban Pirates fits in, more in the latter category, offering an hour of crazy fun for families. Think Pirates of the Caribbean rather than Blackbeard — […]
Lazy L at Willow Creek — A Relaxing, Dog-Friendly Retreat
Options are limited when you travel with your pooch, but one incredible bed and breakfast inn in Lewes, DE, provides both a relaxing retreat and a hearty welcome for your four-legged best friend. Many bed and breakfasts will welcome well-behaved dogs to just one room of theirs. The Lazy L at Willow Creek welcomes dogs […]