Maryland Interesting Places to Visit
This state offers spectacular mountain scenery, lakes, streams, and beaches. The state itself it divided by the Chesapeake Bay.
The Canyon Trail is considered to be one of the most beautiful in the state and leads from Swallow Falls to Muddy Creek Falls. Another hiking trail crosses a swinging bridge which stretches above sparkling Muddy Creek Falls. This falls is the highest vertical waterfall in Maryland with a plunge of 53 feet. The water feeding the falls originates from the Cranesville Swamp in West Virginia and merges with the Youghiogheny River within the park. Here one can observe deer, wild turkeys, beavers and occasionally a fox. Black bears also roam the forest. A favorite with fishermen is the Youghogheny River which is stocked with trout several times a year.
Washington Monument State Park and Appalachian Trail Crossing - In 1827, several hundred townspeople from Boonsboro, including three veterans of the Revolutionary War built a stone tower atop of nearby South Mountain in memory of George Washington. In 1882 the monument had to be restored. Finally when the monument fell in disrepair the present 35-foot monument was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and was dedicated on July 4, 1936. The tower can be reached by a steep trail lined with plaques highlighting George Washington's life. Inside the monument is a winding staircase which leads to the top offering a spectacular view of the countryside to the northwest. The Appalachian Trail goes by the tower. The Cumberland Valley is on a major north-south flyway for migrating hawks and eagles, which can be seen from about the middle of September through November. The visitor center houses a small collection of firearms, Indian relics and Civil War memorabilia.
Montpelier Mansion on Rte. 197, Laurel one can find this Georgian mansion which was built for Maj. Thomas Snowden just after the Revolutionary War. Its English boxwood gardens, planted in the 1700s are considered to be among the loveliest in America. When Major Snowden married Ann Ridgely in 1774 the vast plantation was named Montpelier in honor of his bride's birthplace in Anne Arundel County. George and Martha Washington occasionally visited Montpelier. Another visitor was Abigail Adams who had nothing but praise for the plantation. Montpelier was acquired by the state in 1961.
Port Tobacco - As early as 1608 an Indian settlement called Potopaco was shown on a map drawn by Captain John Smith. In the 1630s an English community was established and some 100 years later the town of Port Tobacco became the seat of the colonial government in Charles County. Planters profited from the tobacco trade and were able to build stately homes. Some have been restored and can be seen today around the village green and scattered through the town. The reconstructed Old Courthouse now includes a 19th century courtroom and a museum of Indian artifacts, Civil War relics and local memorabilia.
The canal and river that once provided access to the Potomac and the sea is now filled with slit. However Port Tobacco still retains the quiet charm of an 18th century seaport village and is worth a visit. Port Tobacco even comes with its own legend - The Legend of the Blue Dog. This legend has been told in the county for more than 100 years. The spirit of a large blue dog protect his murdered master's treasure which is supposedly buried somewhere on Rose Hill Road outside Port Tobacco. According to resident Charles Stuart, whose property contains the fabled rock where the Blue Dog and his master were killed.
This legend dated back to 1897. The houses former owner, Olivia Floyd told the Port Tobacco Times that she had seen the ghost of the Blue Dog. Although Stuart himself in his 20 years of residence has not seen the Blue Dog he doesn't doubt the accuracy of accounts. Charles Thomas Sims, a soldier and his dog were killed on February 8 on Rose Hill Road while returning from a Port Tobacco tavern. This was following the American Revolutionary War. Local myth says that Henry Hanos of Port Tobacco killed Sims and his dog for Sim's gold and a deed to an estate. Hanos buried the gold and the deed under a holly tree along Rose Hill Road. When Hanos returned to get the treasure he was scared away by the ghost of the Blue Dog. Afterwards he felt ill and died suddenly. To this day the Blue Dog reportedly continues to watch over his slain master's treasure.
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge - This preserve consists mostly of salt marsh and saltwater ponds along with stands of pine and mixed woodland and encompasses over 25,000 acres on Maryland's beautiful Eastern Shore. The refuge is on the Atlantic Flyway and attracts many migratory waterfowl. Species include whistling swans, geese and some 20 kinds of duck which winter here. There are also great blue herons, bald eagles, peregrine falcons, and fish-eating ospreys for which nesting platforms have been built. One can take a 5-mile auto drive through the area. There is also a short walking trail and a marsh edge trail on a boardwalk which puts you right into the marshy habitat. Mammals seen here are the muskrat, otter, skunk, opossum, deer and the red fox. The Delmarva fox squirrel is on the endangered list and its habitat here is being expanded. An observation tower provides a wide view of the refuge and its various inhabitants.
Crisfield - This large marina has a public boat landing, wholesale and retail fish markets and numerous crab houses and restaurants. This waterside community is the southernmost town in Maryland and is located on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. Crisfield is famous for its seafood especially the Maryland blue crab. There are three small museums. One is the Ward Museum, a branch of the North American Wildfowl Art Museum, which displays decoys and related items. The famous decoy carvers The Ward brothers lived and worked in Crisfield. Jane's Island State Park beach which is accessible by ferry offers swimming, crabbing and fishing. The park campground is on the mainland side. Crisfield is also the point of departure for boat trips to nearby islands like Smith Island which has three quaint fishing villages. Tangier Island has a number of restaurants, craft shops and guesthouses and can be toured by six-passenger beach buggies.
Post Comment