Day 49 – Maryland’s Eastern Shore Sampler

If you like this article, please share. Thanks!

Day 49 of a Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways

I’m afraid I don’t have much to write about today…it was that time of the month…time to get an oil change and the spark plugs replaced.  At my friend Charlie’s recommendation, I took VANilla to Rosemont Tire and Service to get lubed up for the rest of our adventure.  The staff was extremely accommodating, allowing the dogs to hang out in the lounge area with me for the morning. Thank goodness, because the outdoors was frosty and our short walk in the nearby park was VERY cold!

Unfortunately, one of the plugs cracked (which only had to be replaced for warranty purposes otherwise it wasn’t necessary), so it took until around 11 before I could start my journey down Maryland’s Eastern Shore.  The good news is I won’t need another spark plug change for 40,000 miles!

Chestertown’s Waterfront

Finally on my way, I drove south along a highway flanked with horse farms and the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal.  The canal connects the Chesapeake Bay to the Atlantic Ocean and saves boaters a 300 mile journey around the Delmarva Peninsula. Eventually, I made my first stop Maryland’s Eastern Shore at Chestertown’s waterfront.

At the waterfront in 1774, the townsfolk, disgusted with the British tax on tea, dumped a large shipment into the harbor.  This act, similar to the Boston Tea Party in 1773, is celebrated every year.  I walked the dogs along the waterfront and then delighted in a Maryland crab cake at the dockside as waterfowl flocked the area. Duck…Duck…Goose. Ok, so I’m silly tired right now…hope that brought back memories of Kindergarten for you!

• 

• 

• 

Wye Grist Mill

From Chestertown we continued south along Maryland’s Eastern Shore to the Town of Wye Mills which got its name from Wye Grist Mill.  The Wye Grist Mill, constructed in 1682, is one of the few remaining mills in on the East Coast. In addition, it is the oldest working mill in Maryland.  During the American Revolution, this mill along with many others provided flour to George Washington and his troops via the Chesapeake Bay. These actions dubbed the Eastern Shore “the Breadbasket of the American Revolution”.

Village of St. Michael’s on Maryland’s Eastern Shore

Further southwest on Maryland’s Eastern Shore is the Village of St. Michael’s.  After a quick drive by for a glimpse of the yachts scattered about the harbor, we made a hard left toward Bellevue where the Oxford-Bellevue Ferry has operated since 1683.  While we didn’t have time to take the nine car ferry to Oxford, I planned a stroll with the dogs to find a nearby hidden cache.  Unfortunately, there were too many muggles launching boats into the Tred Avon River to look for it inconspicuously.

Washington D.C.

With the opportunity to see my cousin Kari in D.C., we skipped the last two stops of this scenic drive along Maryland’s Eastern Shore and returned to Wye Mills where we crossed the bridge to Annapolis and Washington D.C.  I arrived at Kari’s efficiency in Arlington just in time for dinner; spaghetti and meatballs, kindly cooked by her boyfriend Will.

After dinner we went to a show that cast Will’s brother.  The show was a series of plays performed over five weeks to raise money for charity.  We attended week five, thus we saw the last “episode” or “scene” of each play.  The scene started up where it left off the prior week thus a narrator provides some back story for the new patrons. It was quite interesting.

• 

• 

At the end of the evening, the audience votes for its favorite play, and the charity associated with such play receives the proceeds from the night.  The play in which Will’s brother acted won 4 of the 5 weeks…awesome!  After enjoying the theater, we sipped a beer at Rock Bottom Brewery and suffered through the Ranger’s final loss of the World Series.  Well, at least they made it!  We had a great evening and stayed up until the wee hours of the morning comparing travels as Kari is a traveler too.  It was so fun! ETB

Map of My Road Trip Across the USA

For a summary about my road trip across the USA, click HERE. For the interactive map, see the below link.

Other Articles About Maryland You May Like

• Day 49 – Maryland’s Eastern Shore Sampler Part 2
• Day 55 – Maryland Panhandle
• Day 56 – Maryland Panhandle Part 2
• Day 57 – Maryland Panhandle Part 3
• A Long Weekend in Washington DC

Shop

Check out the photographic note cards and key chains at my shop.  Each card has a travel story associated with it.  20% of proceeds are donated to charity.

If you like this article, please share. Thanks!