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Piney Point Attractions
Recreation
With the Atlantic Ocean lapping at its eastern shores and the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay reaching like crooked fingers into the mainland, Maryland is a water lover's dream. Soak up the sun, relish the scenery or go swimming in the breakers at Assateague Island National Seashore, near Berlin. Once you've received permission to go scuba diving, slip into your wet suit and explore the underwater world of the William Houck Area in Cunningham Falls State Park, off SR 77 west of Thurmont. Phone (301) 271-7574 for details about submitting requests. Wind surfing is good at Chesapeake Beach; Gunpowder Falls State Park, east of Chase; Kentmoor Marina on Kent Island, 5 miles south of US 50 on SR 8; and Sandy Point State Park, east of Cape St. Claire. Sailing is huge almost anywhere you find water. Annapolis is especially scenic. For a rough-and-tumble adventure, check out white-water rafting on the Potomac and Youghiogheny (the "Yock") rivers. Runs on the latter have such colorful names as Meatcleaver and Backbender. Canoeing and kayaking trips are a peaceful diversion in the Patuxent River in Calvert County and the Patapsco River, near Ellicott City. The section of the Potomac River at Great Falls also is popular; portages are necessary at most locks.
Northeast
The primary route through Cecil and Harford counties, constituting Maryland's northeast region, is I-95, which enters the state from the north about 3 miles below Newark, Del. The scant 40 miles of this route, traversing a gently rolling plain, give little hint of the attractions to be found but a short distance to either side of the expressway.To explore the area leave I-95 at the first Cecil County interchange and take SR 279 south for about 2 miles. At SR 213 head north through Cherry Hill and on to Fair Hill. This small town is on the edge of Maryland's horse country. Fair Hill Races, where steeplechase and cross-country racing can be viewed, is a popular northeast attraction.SR 273 westward from Fair Hill marks the beginning of a scenic drive through grain and dairy farmlands, rolling hills and ever-increasing horse farms. About a mile west of Calvert, a diverting stop can be made at the Plumpton Park Zoo. Four miles farther along SR 273 is Rising Sun, an early 18th-century settlement and now a trading and banking center.Not far beyond Rising Sun SR 273 terminates at US 1. The scenic drive follows the federal highway south on through Conowingo on the banks of the Susquehanna River. As US 1 crosses the river over the Conowingo Dam the view to the north is of Conowingo Lake, a 14-mile product of the river's damming.Crossing the Susquehanna brings you into Harford County, a pastoral Piedmont area dotted with farms and small towns. Eight miles beyond the river turn north on SR 136. Just below the Pennsylvania state line this route swings to the west and terminates at Norrisville in the county's northwest corner.From here take SR 23 south to Madonna. Turn south onto SR 146 and go just beyond the intersection with SR 152 to reach one of northeast Maryland's outstanding attractions: Ladew Topiary Gardens in Monkton. A tour of the 15 seasonal gardens and the estate house displaying paintings, antiques and equestrian memorabilia should not be missed.On leaving Ladew Gardens, backtrack briefly on SR 146 to SR 152. Take this south to the intersection with SR 147 where a left turn leads to Bel Air. The Hays House Museum will lure American history buffs. Several miles east at the intersection of SRs 543 and 22 stands a marker on the side of the road to designate Tudor Hall--the house in which actor Edwin Booth and his notorious brother, John Wilkes Booth, were born.From Bel Air take SR 24 south beyond I-95 to Edgewood to begin a tour of northeast Maryland's more industrial and urban areas. From SR 24 a short drive up US 40 takes you to Havre de Grace at the point where the Susquehanna meets the Chesapeake.You will pass the entrance to the Aberdeen Proving Ground en route. Its chief attraction, the U.S. Army Ordnance Museum, does not open until ten but a visit could be planned following a tour of Havre de Grace. Then proceed north again on US 40.After crossing the Susquehanna and re-entering Cecil County, a side trip into Perryville takes you by both the site of Susquehanna Lower Ferry, a crossing much used by 18th-century travelers, and the now-restored Rodgers Tavern, a favorite stopping place of George Washington. Further up US 40, a turnoff onto SR 7 leads to Charlestown, a quiet waterfront village with another restored tavern reflecting its Colonial history.From Charlestown, SR 7 leads to North East, also an 18th-century town that early became a small manufacturing center. A basket factory and a museum displaying fishing, hunting and boating artifacts peculiar to the Upper Chesapeake region are among the area attractions.From North East SR 7 leads to Elkton, which grew in the 18th century as a shipping center. The availability of waterpower soon brought in the mills that turned it into a factory town. Despite commercial development a number of pre-Revolutionary homes have survived and, though private, are visible to motorists.From Elkton proceed south on SR 213 to explore the "Chesapeake Country" section of Cecil County. Cut off on SR 285 and follow signs to the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal linking the two bays that define the Delmarva Peninsula. At the Maryland terminus is Chesapeake City, a 19th-century town that grew up with the canal construction industry and continues as the center for maintaining the waterway and servicing vessels using it.Back on SR 213 proceed to Cecilton and turn west on Main Street. Four miles out is Mount Harmon Plantation. This 18th-century tobacco plantation, on the north bank of the Sassafras River, has a restored house furnished with antiques, boxwood gardens and the original tobacco press house.From Cecilton, your visit to Maryland's northeast section can terminate with the scenic drive north on SR 213 back to I-95. A turn to the south, however, can lead to another Maryland region with a wealth of touring attractions. As you cross the Sassafras River just beyond Frederickton you leave Cecil County behind and enter into the special charm of the Eastern Shore.
Catch of the Day
Greenbrier Lake in Boonsboro is a big fishing destination because of its trout, bluegill and bass. The coffee-colored waters of the Pocomoke River near Snow Hill are home to largemouth bass, catfish and crappie. Annapolis, Crisfield, Point Lookout, Solomons and Tilghman Island are favorite starting points for bay fishing, which yields bluefish, channel bass, croakers and trout. Excellent marlin grounds lie off Ocean City. Assawoman Bay, north of Ocean City, is a clamming hot spot. Popular spots for crabbing line the rivers and bay in southern Maryland and the eastern shore, particularly at Deal Island and Point Lookout. Flintstone's Billmeyer/Belle Grove Wildlife Management Area--with its plentiful populations of turkeys, ruffed grouse, woodcocks, deer, squirrels and rabbits--is prime hunting territory. Such waterfowl as Canada geese, wigeons, pintails, shovelers and black ducks abound at Deal Island. Contact the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for information about fishing and hunting licenses. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Trail (the C & O)--a 184-mile route between Cumberland and the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C.--caters to anyone who enjoys bicycling. You can take a pleasant, shaded ride at the Georgetown end or, if you're up to it, tackle the entire stretch. The 15 miles of paths in Patuxent River Park, south of Upper Marlboro, challenge off-road cyclists.
A Cultured Pool of Talent
A grave in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Frederick serves as a lasting tribute to Francis Scott Key, who was born and buried in the same state where he composed "The Star-Spangled Banner." Ragtime performer Eubie Blake perfected his talents in the honky-tonks of Baltimore, his hometown. Another Baltimore-born musician, Billie Holiday, gave her beautiful voice to the rich sounds of jazz and the blues. Acclaimed Shakespearean actor Ira Aldridge, of Bel Air, performed for a U.S. president, Queen Victoria and the archduke of Chambory. Although he never attended the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, let alone served so much as a day in any branch of the service, Baltimore resident Tom Clancy is a commanding author of military drama. A pair of Baltimore-bred writers, no doubt influenced by the city's decidedly blue-collar roots, shared a penchant for politics. Upton Sinclair espoused the cause of socialism in "The Jungle," while the writings of H.L. Mencken show a libertarian lean. It was in Baltimore that master of the macabre Edgar Allan Poe fell in love with his cousin, who was 13 when the two exchanged vows. Displays in the Enoch Pratt Free Library explore his mysterious life; Poe's grave lies in the city's Historic Westminster Hall and Burying Ground. A formidable literary inspiration was born in Charles County. Josiah Henson, who observed the treatment of slaves, was interviewed by Harriet Beecher Stowe and inspired her novel, "Uncle Tom's Cabin."
Sharing the Trails with Snakes
The hiking trails at Cunningham Falls State Park, south of Thurmont, are tough. Although the rocky, wooded terrain makes for an exciting trek, it's also an ideal habitat for copperheads and rattlesnakes. Stake out a spot on the water's edge and enjoy a secluded camping getaway in Janes Island State Park, west of Crisfield. The island is accessible only by boat. Catch some cold-weather exercise while cross-country skiing in New Germany and Herrington Manor state parks, both in Garrett County; or snowshoeing through Catoctin Mountain Park in Thurmont. Let the chill nip at your nose as you take on the downhill skiing runs at Wisp Ski Resort, in McHenry, or go snowmobiling on the ungroomed trails in Potomac State Forest. If you're up for an unusual pursuit, check out the state sport: jousting. Competitors on horseback charge through an arena and catch rings of decreasing size on a lance. Maryland's most renowned tournament is held the last Saturday in August in Port Republic.
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