After a long and strenuous hike the previous day, we were in the mood for a relatively short and moderate hike, so we settled on the North Mountain Trail. About a mile in from the trail head is a lovely view of the countryside below. The elevation gain is easy: less than 200 feet for […]
A Mural Surprise in Strasburg VA
More and more towns are creatively enlivening their outdoor spaces with murals — and what a wonderful trend! Strasburg VA, a sleepy but quaint town tucked into the Shenandoah Valley, about 75 miles west of Washington DC, offers eight lovely murals around town. Rich in beautiful views and history, Strasburg was founded in 1761 and was […]
Kayaking Lake Laura
Lake Laura is a mile-long, man-made lake near the border of the Virginia, West Virginia state line, in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. The lake is surrounded by mountains, homes hidden in the trees high up on the shore. We’d intended to launch our own kayak… Literally up a creek without a paddle but […]
Revisiting an Incredible American Castle at Fonthill
One man’s dream home is a great American castle. We don’t have many of those, but this one is what we imagine when we dream of castles. Towers, great halls, a maze of rooms — Fonthill Castle has them all. It all started when he was 13. Henry Mercer accompanied his aunt, who was quite […]
Walking on History Along the Old Main Line Trail
The Old Main Line Trail follows the Patapsco River. It’s always exciting to discover something close to home that I’m definitely going to go back to visit, over and over again. A pair of Mallard ducks make use of a semi-permanent puddle along the Old Main Line Trail. That happened when I discovered the Old […]
Losing Yourself in Lost River State Park
White Oak to Cranny Crow Overlook Hike We didn’t get lost in Lost River State Park — the trails are well marked. The White Oak Trail to Cranny Crow Overlook is a 6 mile total (out and back) trail in Lost River State Park, a lovely park that was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps […]
Fredericksburg Murals
During a recent visit to the quaint city of Fredericksburg, VA, I noticed a number of murals. Since a visit to York PA and an exploration of that city’s murals, I’ve gained an appreciation for this art form, and now look for murals on all my travels! The American Canoe Association painted a mural of […]
Visiting Mary Washington’s House
George Washington purchased this house for his mother from Micheal Robinson in Fredericksburg, Virginia in 1772 for $275. Mary Ball Washington spent her last few years in the white frame house on the corner of Charles and Lewis Street. New evidence indicates that Mary Washington actually lived in a fairly small house. The portion to […]
Walking the Delaware Canal North of Lumberville
The 60-mile long Delaware Canal towpath runs from Easton to Bristol and is a National Recreation Trail. Once trod by mule teams pulling cargo-laden boats along the canal, the towpath is used today by walkers, joggers, bicyclists, cross-country skiers, fishing enthusiasts, and bird watchers. The author, doing what she does wherever she goes in the […]
Biking through Historical Doylestown
There are numerous ways to get a sense of an area. One way to get to know Doylestown a little better is through a bike tour, offered by Encore Rides. During the personally guided tour, we pedaled around scenic Doylestown, the county seat of Bucks County and and a town steeped in history that offers […]
Baltimore’s Historic Ships: A Lightship, a Coast Guard Cutter and a Lighthouse
This article looks at the US Coast Guard Cutter Taney, the Lightship 116 Chesapeake, and the 7 Foot Knoll Lighthouse, all part of the Historic Ships of Baltimore maritime museum, which is located in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. These ships serve as a reminder that the Inner Harbor for 200 years was — and still is — a […]
Historic Jamestowne
A model of the Susan Constant. In 1607, the Susan Constant, the Godspeed, and the Discovery landed, carrying 104 men and boys. These first colonists constructed a fort to protect themselves from the nearby Virginia Indian tribes and from a potential attack from the Spanish settlements in Florida. The following year, young women were recruited from England to travel […]
Baltimore’s’ Historic Ships: A Sloop of War and a Submarine
Historic Ships of Baltimore is a maritime museum located in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor — and is a good way to remember that the Inner Harbor for 200 years was — and still is — a major east coast port. There is so much to cover in this museum that it required two separate articles. This […]
Lewes Terminal Ghost Hunt
At first glance, you wouldn’t think the Lewes Ferry Terminal would be haunted. It’s a new(ish) building, a public space, no recorded deaths within the building. But the site is haunted. Ghostly white figures have been seen after hours, when the terminal was supposed to have been empty. Footsteps where no one is walking. The […]
Historic St Mary’s City: Visiting Maryland’s Colonial History
The fully working replica of The Dove sailing ship, one of the two original settlers ships that established the first Maryland colony. Historic St. Mary’s City (HSMC) is a National Historic Landmark and an important archaeological site marking the former colonial town that was Maryland’s first colonial settlement of the European invasion — and the fourth permanent English […]