Eastern Shore Thing

For the past few summers, Robby and I have been wanting to explore Chestertown, MD. Its historical significance, placement along the bay, and presence of the oldest college in Maryland has been enough to peak our interest to visit. Robby's family lives on the Eastern Shore in Rising Sun, and he spent most of his life growing up there. He goes crabbing around that area, but has never taken the time to go into downtown and simply walk around.

Because we went on a Saturday, beach traffic was insane. It still took us about 2.5 hours across the Bay Bridge, but if we had left earlier, we probably could have avoided some of it. If you don't have an EZ Pass, tolls are $6. If you don't want to want in the lines to pay cash, you can bust through an EZ Pass lane and get a $9 ticket in the mail. It's up to you.

The one good thing about going on a Saturday though, is that there are Farmer's Markets in almost all the small towns along the shore. Chestertown's Farmer's Market lasts from 8 am to 12 pm in their central square. When we got there, it wasn't a huge affair, but there was, of course, fresh produce and hand-cut flowers, wool, handmade craft jewelry, professional local pictures, and a pie-eating contest for the kids. It was also Crazy Days this weekend, which means that stores bring items out on the sidewalk to sell for majorly discounted prices. If you're looking to pick up that goose, rockfish, or crab insignia with the MD flag for your car, this would have been the weekend to do it.

The shops are quaint, the sidewalks are brick, and the houses are beautiful. You can follow High Street down to the water and walk along the docks, read about the Schooner Sultan, and spend some time along the Chester River. There are a variety of shops from traditional preppy menswear to shoes to music shops and the Prince Theatre to a bakery with fresh bread from 7 am to 5 pm. There is literally something that can be found for everyone. Even the history buff can read about Chestertown's involvement in the American Revolution all the way to Desert Storm just off the square in a War Memorial.

Before we left, we walked around Washington College's campus for a bit. We were mostly aiming to visit the bookstore and pick up some Flock gear, but during the summer, the store is only open Mondays thru Fridays. They failed to mention that on their website! But it was okay - they have an online store. The campus is beautiful with traditional brick buildings in colonial style mixed with more modern buildings. It's definitely worth a stop if you're driving through - maybe you'll get lucky and see the Lacrosse team doing an open practice!

We headed north up the shore to Rising Sun to see some of Robby's family. If you're ever in Rising Sun, stop at the Greenhurst Market and pick yourself up some crabs or a signature sandwich. Robby's Aunt and Uncle own the store (be aware - they're closed on Mondays), and it has that local Mom and Pop charm. They'll ask you where you're coming from and they'll tell you where to go, if you inquire.  Once we were on our way out, we went to Havre de Grace to see the Concord Point Lighthouse and walk along the Promenade there. It offers wonderful views of the bay and its wildlife. The CPL is the northern most lighthouse in Maryland and marks the spot of prominent activity during the War of 1812. There are informational plaques that span from the time of John Smith to the present as you walk along the planks. We went in the evening, and it couldn't have been a better atmosphere.

If you're in the area for longer, you should look into seeing an Aberdeen Ironbirds game or bask in the local Decoy and Maritime culture by visiting their museums (also in Havre de Grace). There are so many great things that Maryland's Eastern Shore has to offer. From small town charm to activities on the bay, hopefully you can find something you enjoy!

Happy traveling!

Independence Day (Weekend)

So, I realized AFTER I posted what I did this past weekend that I forgot to post my trip to Rehoboth Beach during the holiday weekend (wow, didn't realize how far behind I actually was).

Robby's family has a beach house in Rehoboth Beach, DE that is split between the aunts and uncles. Robby's parents usually go down for a couple of weeks a summer around the 4th of July weekend. Of course it's packed, but it's the beach. The town is wonderful. For Independence Day, the fireworks are fantastic (and you can usually see Dewey Beach's show at the same time). Rehoboth Avenue is warm and intimate. I'm used to spending most of my beach days at Ocean City, MD, and the atmosphere is so much different. The boardwalk is loud and sometimes raunchy, which is why my mom and I tend to spend the day at Assateague Island instead. Plus, wild horses . . . c'mon.

Anyway, I throughly enjoy my time at Rehoboth when I go. It somehow always seems to be that I'm broke when I'm there, which works out because there are too many things I'd spend my money on. When you go, you'll probably have to pay meter parking, and if you're going to the beach, most of the streets require a parking permit which can be purchased. Our favorite street to park along for great beach access is Rodney. Here are some must do experiences while you're there:

• Walk Rehoboth Avenue. There are so many cool gift shops and specialty stores that there is sure to be something for every personality to enjoy. There are a lot of fun places to eat (which I'll point out a few further down), and some cool places to take your date. Not to mention, the ocean is right beside you with its welcomed breeze and the scent of salt water in the air.
• Get a Pizza. Between Nicola's and Grotto's, there is plenty of pie to choose from. If you go to Nicola's, not only is their pizza fantastic, but their Nic-o-boli is their iconic take on a calzone. Grotto's famous swirled take on cheese and sauce also makes for an out-of-the-ordinary pizza experience.
• Grab some custard. Kohr Brother's Frozen Custard as multiple locations along the boardwalk, and their custard is amazing. If it's a hot day, it might be too heavy, but in the evening, as you stroll along the bowed planks of the boardwalk, it's the perfect treat to accompany people watching. They have twisted flavors from the classic creamsicle to mint chocolate chip and all are equally delicious.
• Take some popcorn to-go. Fischer's Popcorn is one of my absolute favorite popcorn producers. Ever. I was introduced to them in Ocean City, where they are originally from, but they've opened up locations along Bethany and Rehoboth beaches as well. Their caramel, fresh and hot, is to die for. They've perfected gooey goodness. However, if you're not ready for it, you can grab a carton or bucket to go. It's still pretty delicious a day or two later.
• Pick up a new beach read. Browseabout Bookstore is the place to go if you want to pick up another book to accompany you at the beach. Hoda Kotb from the Today Show is a regular at Rehoboth, and a regular at the bookstore. You can usually catch her there on the Independence Day weekend (we saw her walking along the beach like it ain't no thang - she's so awesome to meet in person!). Also, the bookstore is cozy, with a great selection of books and a never-ending number of willing staff to help you find the perfect read.
• Drop into Dogfish Head Brewpub. Even if you're not a beer lover, this place is a groundbreaker in Delaware. Its owner and founder, Sam Calagione, literally rewrote state legislation to make a brewpub (and later a brewery and distillery) possible in Delaware. He's the first beer brewer in Delaware, and he uses the idea of pairing wine and food in his beer-making (i.e. he makes beers with certain food pairings in mind). His menu definitely reflects his motto: Off-centered ales for off-centered people. But it's a cool place to stop for great food and a unique experience.
• Visit local towns. Lewes and Milton are also great little towns that are close by and offer a small town feel if you want to get away from crowds. Lewes is a water town, with lots of boaters and seafood joints to stop while Milton is home to Dogfish Head's brewery. Both have cute restaurants and great streets to walk down.
• Honorable Mentions. Some other places I love are Ryan's Rooftop Mini Golf ($4 a game, cash only), The Spice and Tea Exchange (literally any kind of tea, spices, sugars, even catnip, that you can think of), and La Tonalteca (not on the boardwalk, but just past the Outlets. Great Mexican food for a good price).

Robby and I, on our way out, visited Dogfish Head Brewery because we've been long admirers of Sam Calagione and his brilliant mind. I've read his book, and we've ate at his Brewpub and affiliated Alehouses, we keep track of his beers and when they come out. We don't drink his stuff to get drunk - we drink it to experience his experimentations with flavors, ingredients, and sometimes to go back in time. Although getting a tour proved to give us an hour wait, there were plenty of things to do in the meantime. There are two regulation Bocce ball courts, as well as two Cornhole game areas. There's also a tasting room, and a gift shop. We had no problem filling up time there. The tour was cool, but prepare yourself for at least 45 minutes of packed-to-the-brim facts. We knew most of it already, but it was still neat to see the Palo Santo tanks and witness bottling and packaging of some of our favorite brews.

Here are some things to keep in mind if you decide to visit:

• Wear close-toed shoes. Most people coming from the beach don't think about this when coming, but in your tour, they actually take you into their factory. If you forget your shoes, you're stuck wearing provided Crocs, which could be questionable. You don't know whose feet have been in there before yours.
• Get there early. If you want to avoid long wait times, get there in the morning. We got there around one in the afternoon, and had to wait an hour for a tour. But, like I said, there are plenty of things to do in the meantime. If you're looking for a quick in-and-out, just stick with the tasting room and gift shop.
• Minors and Alcohol. If you have people who are under 21 in your group, they have to maintain a 6-ft distance from the bar area in the tasting room. That's about the only restriction though, so don't feel like you can't bring them with you.
• Prepare for a hike. Not a literal one, of course, but there's a bit of walking included with the tour. When they take you to where they bottle and package, it's close to a quarter of a mile walk (according to the tour guide - it really doesn't feel that long). As well, you're standing on concrete floors. So, if you have hip, back or knee problems, it may not be the tour for you.
• Visit the Website. If you have more questions, or would like to know more about the establishment, then that's the place where your questions can be answered.

Sam was originally an English major in college - nothing like a good quote from Emerson.

Much beer. Many feels.

Sorry this was so long overdue! Happy adventuring! :)

Appalachian Trail and Beyond

Something that I love about my location on the East Coast is how close we are to the Appalachian Trail. Pretty much anywhere you go along the coast, you can pick up some part of it. It's perfect for an afternoon hike, or an all-day adventure.

For those that don't know, the Appalachian Trail is about 2,200 miles long, beginning in Maine and ending in Georgia. My uncle and I have talked about hiking the whole thing for years, but we're both too out of shape (myself more than him - he used to be a Marine . . . no big) for something like that.

Anyway, on Sunday, Robby and I decided to get out of the house and do hike part of it. We're both a little tight on money, and nature is always free. It was such a beautiful walk. I love summers on the East Coast - everything is green. Thunderstorms roll in and out in the span of 15 minutes. Lightning bugs. The list goes on and on and on. We didn't walk for very long, but we came across a ton of wild red and black raspberries and blackberries. We saw fern groves, a stream, and didn't come across people the whole time. We jumped on the trail at Pen Mar State Park, which apparently used to be a hopping mountain resort in the late 1800s into the mid-1900s. Who knew! People from Washington, DC would come for the weekend to get away from the bustle of city life. Now the resorts are torn down and High Rock is nothing more than an art show in spray paint. But walking along the AT takes you away from all of that and drops you back into a place where human contact is something left far in the future.

Maybe one day I'll hike the whole thing, but for now, it's just fun to make an afternoon of exploring the nature in my backyard. An adventure doesn't have to be an extravagant affair. Rather, an adventure can take place every day if you're doing something you've never experienced before.

Happy adventuring!