Cycling the Michael Castle Trail in Delaware

To date...

this is my favorite ride. 

Beginning of the trail. 

Disclaimer...

it was a beautiful day 

as well. 

Several bridges cross the canal.

Start in the historic 

Delaware City, DE 

located along the 

Delaware River. 

There is parking available. 

Delaware City, DE

Ride to the 

Chesapeake and Delaware Canal Trail 

aka Michael Castle Trail

and pedal 14.8 miles to 

Chesapeake City, MD. 

Have some refreshment near the end point 

in Chesapeake City

at Schaefer's Canal House. 

You can explore the city as well. 

Here is info on that. 

If you are so inclined, 

extend your ride off trail

to Green Point or Emily Point 

or take the bridge over the canal 

and ride Randalla Rd to the tip of the bay. 

Another option is

the trail around Lums Pond. 

Just don't miss the hard right 

on the Canal Trail just after the RR bridge 

where you have 

to work your way to and through 

a marina to get back on the trail. 

(See map below)

The canal activity provides added interest. 

And when you return to Delaware City, 

visiting Ft. Delaware State Park by ferry to 

Pea Patch Island is a great option. 

I've done that visit previously. 

Then you can end your day at Crabby Dick's 

for a well deserved dinner. 

Three sections of the trail.

Also nearby is Ft. Dupont State Park:

For more images of this ride, click here. 

There is plenty to fill a day in the area.

so have a great day! 

  

Day Tripping to St. Mary's County, MD in Winter

Sun

Water 

Fishing 

Boating 

Sailing 

Crabbing 

Kayaking 

Swimming 

Fishing Charters 

Golf

UNLESS 

It's winter... 

Then what do you do when it's winter? 

St. Mary's County, MD

Clearly St. Mary's County in Maryland is a summer destination, 

but with the PAX River NAVAIR base drawing people in, 

you would think there would be more winter happenings. 

St. Mary's County, MD

Our soccer boy 

turned PSU Nittany Lion

is now a Maryland crab, 

so to speak. 

He lives in St. Mary's County. 

The Front Porch Restaurant, Leonardtown, St. Mary's County, MD

We visited one winter weekend - 

although it was almost 60 degrees! 

If you find yourself visiting in winter, 

here is what you need to know...

cause their tourist info is sadly lacking. 

St Mary's County is divided into 6 communities. 

Obviously being surrounded by water 

you can take advantage of the scenic views 

at any of the wharfs, landings, or marinas.  

And then visit...

South County

Point Look Out 

11175 Point Lookout Rd, Scotland, MD 20687

Civil War Museum, Ft Lincoln, Lighthouse, Confederate Cemetery and Memorial

All are small attractions and only open to walk around in winter.

As of 2/2020 the lighthouse is under renovations

 and is not accessible. 

Point Lookout, St. Mary's County, MD

Historic St. Mary's City

18751 Hogaboom Lane, Visitor Center, St. Mary’s City, MD 20686 (240) 895-4990 or (800) 762-1634

You can walk the grounds in winter. 

17th c living history with building reproductions on 800 acres.

The Maryland Dove, Historic St Mary's City

Lower Potomac Area

Piney Point Lighthouse Museum and Historic Park

Open Daily 12-4, when closed you can walk the 6 acre grounds and pier. 

Piney Point Lighthouse

Drayden African-American Schoolhouse 

18287 Cherryfield Road, Drayden, MD 20630 (301) 994-1471

You can peek in the windows but to go inside you need to arrange a tour.

Drayden African American Schoolhouse

Patuxent-Chesapeake Corridor 

This is where the military base is located. 

We were able to get a tour by our son since he is employed there. 

Patuxent River Naval Air Museum and Visitor Center
22156 Three Notch Road, Lexington Park, MD 20653 (301) 863-1900

Escape From the Past: Southern Maryland’s Orignal Escape Room
22595 Three Notch Road, California, MD 20619 (301) 247-1721

Historic Sotterley Grounds only Nov - Apr.
44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD 20636 (301) 373-2280

Leonardtown Area

Leonardtown is a historic town and County Seat of St Mary's County

located around a town square just up from a public wharf. 

It seems to be leaning mostly toward the arts offering 

art classes and related shopping opportunities. 

It makes a nice place to walk around and have lunch. 

We enjoyed Sunday brunch at The Front Porch. 

Leonardtown Wharf Park

Leonardtown Wharf Park (free access)
22510 Washington Street, Leonardtown, MD 20650 (301) 475-9791 

Leonardtown Walking Tour Map

Tudor Hall
41680 Tudor Place, Leonardtown, MD 20650 (301) 475-2467

Old Jail Museum, Leonardtown, MD

Old Jail Museum (Closed winters but walk by this and the courthouse.)
11 Courthouse Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650 (301) 475-2467

Escape Rooms Southern Maryland
22715 Washington Street, Leonardtown, MD 20650 (301) 690-0704

Seventh District Area

Hmmm...I couldn't find anything to do here.

North Country

Amish moved from Lancaster, PA to this region. 

You can take a scenic ride through the countryside

and watch for the Amish horse and buggies. 

Since we live near Lancaster, PA

I can see the Amish farms anytime. 

So we didn't venture into North Country. 

Really, that's all I can find. 

Let me know if you know of something more to do here in winter.  

Gov. Thomas Johnson Bridge, Maryland

I'm saving the best for last. 

But you need to cross the bridge into Calvert County 

 onto Solomon's Island. 

The Pier Restaurant at Solomon's Island, Calvert County, MD

Solomon's Island, Calvert County 

This popular weekend destination is a happening spot even in winter, 

except for the tiki bar which I hear is the place to be in summer.

In winter about 75% of the parking spaces on Main Street were full. 

Drum Point Lighthouse, Solomon's Island, Maryland

Calvert Marine Museum and Drum Point Lighthouse  $

14200 Solomons Island Rd, Solomons, MD 20688 410-326-2042

Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center $

We enjoyed dinner at The Pier Restaurant 

on the water as the sun was setting. 

We all had their delicious crab cakes, 

skip the side salad though, it was boring. 

We stayed at the Holiday Inn

since my husband had enough points for a free night. 

The HI is a 9 acre waterfront property with a marina. 

Hidden Harbor, Solomon's Island, Calvert Co, Maryland

Click here for more of my images from St Mary's County, MD.

If you go....

You may find this interactive map helpful in planning your trip. 

Maryland Counties highlighting St. Mary's County. 

Crab Lovin'

What would I do for a tasty crab cake?

Travel a
long
straight
narrow
black
road...
17.8
miles
 out
 of
 my
 way -


Crab Capital of the World...so they say.

To make a visit to the self-proclaimed
Crab Capital of the World.


Fishing and Crabbing Ahead 

Ummmm...but where's the crab?
Where are the fisherman?
Where are the boats?
Where are all those wonderful photo-ops I anticipated?


Just Looking

There wasn't a heck of a lot here...
except boarded-up ramshackle houses,
Section 8 housing,
and a mostly defunct Main Street.


Open for Business

(Sadly, the effects of Hurricane Sandy are still evident.)


Don't you love his name? 

So, I snooped around,
snapped some photos
and got my crab cake elsewhere.


Crisfield, MD

Crisfield has some serious marketing going on.
It got me in but I didn't spend a dime once there.
Mostly because I couldn't find a place to spend it.



Despite the depressed community,
they have a really nice public pier.
I'm just not sure the pier was worth the
long
straight
narrow
black
road...
17.8
miles
 out
 of
 my
 way.

The Party's Here! Where I am linking these days.

            

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All images by Rebecca Haegele have been registered with the U.S. Copyright Office. Click on any image to go to its gallery for purchasing information.

Facing the Wind

Crisfield, Maryland
ISO 400, f 6.3, 1/1600s, 200mm
with a crappy lens.

The Party's Here! Where I am linking these days.

            

 My blog posts to my facebook page:  

All images by Rebecca Haegele have been registered with the U.S. Copyright Office. Click on any image to go to its gallery for purchasing information.