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!

Vermont - Day 3

Our last full day in Vermont we kind of just winged it. I really wanted to go to the Champlain Islands. In my mind, they were going to be wild and wonderful, sparsely populated, with moose abundant and winding roads that gave you gorgeous views of the water.

I was wrong.

It's probably the most populated area of Vermont. I saw more houses per square mile than in and around Smuggler's Notch. Apparently the islands are a center for ice fishing in the winter and water sports during the summer. The islands are South Hero, Grand Isle, North Hero, and Isle La Motte. From what we explored, there are a few apple orchards, a couple of places to eat, marinas, and some wildlife. We stumbled across two foxes crossing the road within two minutes of each other, and we helped a turtle make it across the road. Other than that, we mostly drove around to see what there was to see. There is everything from expansive farmland to quaint lake houses, but it just didn't meet the expectation I had in my mind. Plus, it was overcast on our day up there. If we had brought our fishing equipment, a stop at one of the parks on the island probably would have been arranged.

After spending the morning driving around, we decided to head back down to Burlington to "bar hop." I feel like I should note, for all of my conservative friends who may stumble across this, that the beer scene for me isn't about getting drunk. Drinking alcohol has never been about that, for me. I enjoy the creativity and passion that others have for what they do, even if that means making cheeses, weaving baskets, or harvesting maple syrup. Tasting the flavors of beer that people come up with by playing around with hops variations or ingredient brightness is something I thoroughly enjoy. So, the last half of this post will be about beer. If you don't agree, then you don't have to read.

We ate at Vermont Pub and Brewery, which makes its own beer in the basement of the restaurant. Apparently when the weather is right, it's perfect to grab a bite and sit outside. Located on College street, it certainly has some interesting views. Because Robby is a porter guy, he got their Lake Champlain Chocolate Stout. It had a delicious chocolate full-bodied flavor that was full, dark, and sweet. I tried their Burly Irish Ale, by recommendation of our waitress. It's one of their most popular, and I can understand why. It was so smooth and easy to drink! With a slight caramel flavor and medium body, it hit the spot. They have so many other ales, and a lot of them sound incredible. They also do experimental batches weekly. Definitely a place to check out if you're in town.

Our next stop was Zero Gravity Craft Brewery, located exclusively in the Burlington American Flatbread. It's right down the street from VPB, so we swung by. Up until about 5 PM, the restaurant only does light fare, but the bar is open. It's an English-style pub setting, and their beers reflect that. Robby tried their Black Cat Porter, and him and I both tried Conehead. The Black Cat was certainly a dark ale, robust in flavor, with coffee and chocolate in the palette. Conehead - I have to say that I'm not a huge fan of IPAs, but this one was amazing. It wasn't very bitter, and to balance out the bitterness of the hops was a strong citrus punch (because they used Citra hops). It was grapefruit all the way, and simply delicious. We really enjoyed conversing with the bartender, Chris (who apparently goes by Steve). He was friendly, and gave us frank opinions on local breweries as well as tips of things to see before we left the area. Out of the breweries we visited, this one was definitely the one that made me feel most at home.

After that, we decided to walk up and down Church Street. They have restaurants and places to shop all up and down the way. Vermont doesn't have taxes on clothing, but, as one of the sales attendants told us, they make up for it in other areas. There are pretty big state, land, and food taxes. But buying a cute pair of socks for what it said on the price tag was reminiscent of Delaware shopping. Church street is a fun destination to just see. Even if you don't want to buy anything, you get a real taste of local life by perusing the shops and people-watching. And, if you do want to shop, you're in luck. You can pick up your "Eat More Kale" bumper sticker and some UVM gear and be good to go!

After our excursions in Downtown Burlington came to a close, we quickly visited Switchback Brewing Company. Unlike Zero Gravity and VPB, we got free samples. When I say we, I mean Robby. I wasn't really interested in trying any more beer at this point. The people here were equally friendly and more than willing to tell you about the story of their company and the stories behind their beers. I did try their Extra Pale Ale, which was designed by the employees themselves and took a couple of years before the company actually decided to brew it. It was a good twist on an IPA, with less bitterness than normal. Switchback is also one of the newer brewing companies that is giving Magic Hat a run for its money.

We also swung into Citizen Cider. I'm a cider gal through and through. If it tastes like apple juice and not beer, I'm for it. What's neat about Citizen Cider is they do all sorts of crazy things with cider that other companies just haven't hit quite as well as they have. You can get a sampler for $6, and pick five to try. I had had a glass of Unified Press, their signature cider, at Zero Gravity and loved it. Think Martinelli's - not as sweet as Angry Orchard, and definitely more dry. Our sampler included bROSé (an off-dry cider fermented with Vermont blueberries), AMERiCRAN (an off-dry cider fermented with local Vermont cranberries), The Dirty Mayor (their cider made with ginger and lemon - tasted JUST LIKE ginger ale), The Full Nelson (A beer-like cider made with Nelson Sauvin hops that reminds you of champgne, an IPA and cider all in one), and Citizen's Cellar special: Pear Wild (an off-dry cider with light notes of pear that's crisp and clean). They are doing some crazy things with cider, but everything we tried was fantastic. I picked up a growler of The Dirty Mayor to take home. I'm a little sad that they only distribute to VT, MA, IL, and NC, so I'm going to stop by my local and see if they'd be willing to order some as a test run. It's just too good to leave up north!

Our last stop was to Fiddlehead Brewing Company just down the road in Shelburne. It's a lot smaller than the other breweries we stopped at, with only two beers on tap when we arrived. The owner was one of the original brewers for Magic Hat, and broke off to start his own. What's interesting, beside their awesome logo, is that it's connected to probably one of the best pizza places I've been to. So, if you stop by, pick up a growler and go next door to order a pizza from Folino's. The pizza place itself is BYOB, and they have a whole fridge stocked with frosty glasses to fill. I wasn't too impressed with the beer itself, but then again, there were only two to try. You get free samples, and I bought a growler for $3. Stay tuned, because I'm going to turn the ones I got into lamps :)

After eating a delicious meal, we headed back to our place. All of these breweries have websites, so definitely check them out if they catch your interest. Vermont is doing some cool things in what they produce, and they're pretty darn good at it. So, if you enjoy good cheese, good beer, or good maple syrup, I would suggest a trip. Overall, my time there was quite enjoyable - it's certainly a state I would move to . . . just maybe for the summers. I'll post my last blog about it tomorrow and give more pointers, tips, and resources for those interested in planning a vacation.

Vermont - Day 2

Our second day in Vermont, we focused most of our energy in Waterbury and Montpelier. We took a great route between Smuggler's Notch and Stowe that's usually closed in the winter. It's winding road goes down to an unmarked one lane curving course with boulders blocking your visibility. It was my boyfriend's dream come true to drive, but as a passenger, it was a little intimidating.

Waterbury is a cute town with popular destinations like Ben and Jerry's, Cabot Creamery Annex, and Green Mountain Coffee. We went to all three of these places and they weren't disappointing. We stopped at Cabot Creamery first and it was awesome. They have all of their cheeses out for you to sample. If you're lactose intolerant, have no fear! Their cheddar cheeses are naturally lactose free, so sample to your heart's content. My personal favorites were the Vermont Cheddar, the Private Stock, and their Artisan Reserve. They suggest serving the cheese at room temperature in order to really savor all of the flavors. And trust me, their cheeses are savory in flavor with lots of complexities and depth. I never considered myself a cheese connoisseur, but I'd like to be one after that! They also have fun flavors like Buffalo Wing, Garlic and Herb, and Smoky Bacon.

Right next door is a Lake Champlain Chocolates store. It's not the original factory that you can tour (that's in Burlington), but they sell pretty much everything that LCC makes. They have a decent selection of fudge, chocolate candies, caramels, hot chocolate, and gift baskets. It's worth swinging around for. I picked up an organic chocolate bar, and it was okay. Growing up on Hershey's, nothing really compares to that - except possibly Cadbury.

A few minutes' drive down the road is Ben and Jerry's. If you get there early enough, you can probably miss the crowds. We came at the brink of it, I think. As we were leaving, which was around 1:00 PM, there were buses full of kids rolling in. It's true what they say about tours filling up quickly. It's a $4 charge, but it's worth it for a tour and a "free" sample at the end. The flavor of the day for us was Cotton Candy . . . and it was delicious. I normally like cotton candy ice cream, but this was better than anything I'd ever had before. Again, though, their factory was like any other you see. A lot of metal objects that mix things together, and package them for mass production. However, it was neat learning about my favorite ice cream flavors and watching the movies that show you how things are done. Ben and Jerry were (and still are) total hippies - and their passion for peace, love, and ice cream is definitely reflected in their business. The people who work there say Jerry stops by a few times during the summer just to see how things are running. We didn't see him, but there's a chance you might be able to if you're there for the warmer months. Apparently Ben is working in DC "trying to save the world." After the tour, there's a gift shop and scoop shop where you can buy to your heart's content. I really wanted to try their signature Vermonster . . . but for $40 a pop, and only two people to eat it, I decided it probably wouldn't be wise after the cheese and chocolate from the stops before. However, you can get a Lil Vermonster for $15. I'll look into it next time around. Also, make sure to stop by their Flavor Graveyard to pay your respects to your retired flavors. I was sad to see one of my favorites, Vermonty Python, there. But at least it had a good spot to rest under the shade of the maple trees.

If you're following your Vermont Brewer's Passport, The Alchemist is also in Waterbury. However, when we stopped, it wasn't open to visitors. I don't really know how you're supposed to get your stamp, but it's right off the main road. They can all of their beer, and I believe their signature brew is The Heady Topper. If you're desperate for a stamp, you can always wait outside until you see someone . . . or probably just give them a call.

We also swung by Green Mountain Coffee. It's in the Waterbury Amtrak Train Station, but it has a neat little museum on Waterbury and also on how GMC gets their coffee. Since it was sold to Keurig, you can stock up on your K-cups while there. They also have free samples of their coffee. I have to admit, they had THE BEST iced coffee I've had to date and the cheapest - just over a dollar! Most certainly worth the trip.

Our last stop was Montpelier. With a population of around 8,000, the capital of Vermont was . . . underwhelming to stay the least. Don't get me wrong, it's Main Street was cute and quaint, very charming. But there doesn't seem to be a lot going on. So, if you're driving to Montpelier with big hopes and dreams, don't get too excited. Our main stop was Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks. It's the oldest maple family in existence in Vermont, with more than 3,000 trees on their property producing syrup, and you can tell. It's touristy, and their gift shop is huge, but their maple syrup selection is also quite extensive. You can sample all four grades and see for yourself if you like the real stuff (the brands you get in your grocery store isn't the real thing . . . sorry folks). Not to mention, you can walk around and see how the syrup is tapped from the tree all the way to being brought to your shelf. They also have Maple flavored everything. I was a little disappointed - their creemees weren't as good as Bob's from Burlington. And yes, I had ice cream twice in one day. However, this is your place to stock up on gifts for the family.

Overall, it was a great day. It was relaxing, and hassle-free. I never felt pressed for time or rushed while in Vermont, which was lovely. Everyone seems to just go about their business at their own pace. If I could Montpelier over again, though, I would definitely stop at their State House and probably take a stroll downtown. There are cute bookstores and restaurants that I would've probably enjoyed going into. So, if you see something you want to do, make sure you take the time to do it! :) And if you're not sure, I'm positive that if you asked a local, they'd be more than happy to give you suggestions.

Vermont - Day 1

Our first day in Vermont, we visited Magic Hat Brewery, the University of Vermont, and the Lakeside Boardwalk. Magic Hat Brewing Company essentially started the microbrewery revolution in Vermont. It puts out 400+ bottles a minute and includes 48 beers in its repertoire. You can tour the brewery for free and sample their seasonal and in-house beers on tap afterward. When we went, they had eight beers to sample: Single Chair, Number 9, Circus Boy, Hocus Pocus, Elder Betty (their summer seasonal), Dream Machine, Humdinger, and Big Hundo (their in-house special). You can try four samples for free, but because my boyfriend and I were together, we got to try them all :) It was an interesting experience as Magic Hat's vibe is definitely eclectic. Their tour includes a unique video, and local art adorning their walls as well as music posters from venues they've been featured at. While it was cool sampling their beer and talking with our "bartender," a factory is a factory is a factory. It was neat to see, but it looked like every other factory I've been in.

We went to the University of Vermont next. Burlington has, like, four colleges in its vicinity, which makes for a packed town during the school year. However, we came at just the right time. School had just gotten out and the tourists hadn't come in for the summer, which was wonderful. We felt like locals walking around. The University of Vermont is pretty cool, if you enjoy seeing colleges (which I do). Their bookstore and gift shop is in the Davis Building, which you can see from Route 7, I believe. It was founded by Ethan Allen's brother, Ira, in 1791. If you see the abbreviation UVM around, which you will, it stands for its Latin name, Universitas Viridis Montis - the University of the Green Mountains.

After that, we found a meter along College Street and walked down to the lakefront. It had a neat boardwalk that you can walk along the lake. We grabbed a Maple Creemee from Bob's Ice Cream and admired the Adirondack Mountains of New York from across the way. If you're a local baseball fan, the Vermont Lake Monsters have a tucked away gift shop by the ferry. Look for the green lake monster outside. There is also fun little shopping places a street up. We stayed by the water, but the walk is certainly worth it. People take lunch along the boardwalk, or sunbathe in the commons. There's a bike path, so make sure you keep aware of what's in front and behind you. If you enjoy biking, there's a suggested bike path around Burlington, and bike rentals are all along the water. North Star Sports is probably the most popular. There's also a cool Naval memorial and the ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center through UVM. The Burlington Community Boathouse serves as the city's marina, and also has a restaurant, Splash, that serves food and drinks and has excellent views of the sunset over the lake.

Because we started our days around 9 AM, we never really ate in the towns we visited. We made food at our place and saved money that way. There are a lot of cute places to eat in Burlington, so if you'd prefer that route, it would be worth your time. Especially if you enjoy trying new restaurants. After we explored the Lakefront, we went back to Smuggler's Notch. The scenery is stunning, and I never quite got over the views. We didn't really push ourselves the whole time we were there, and we ended up coming back to Burlington on Wednesday. There's a never-ending selection of things to do.