Exploring Maryland’s Iconic Casselman Bridge State Park

“We build too many walls and not enough bridges.” — Isaac Newton Like Thomas Shoals Lighthouse outside of Annapolis, the Cassalman Bridge in western Maryland is an iconic Maryland image. Casselman Bridge once carried the National Road across Casselman River in Garrett County. It remains one of Maryland’s most picturesque places, instantly Facebook and Instagram […]

The Virginian Hotel: Experience Lynchburg Luxury in Beau Arts Style

The Virginian Hotel does not disappoint — we spent a luxurious few days there while we explored Lynchburg, discovering all the wonderful things to see and do there! When it opened in 1913, the hotel was Lynchburg’s premier grand downtown hotel. Built in the glamorous Beaux Arts style, no detail was missed. Throughout the years, […]

See the Secret Place Where Eagles Soar Aboard the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad

The Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad is a heritage railroad based in Romney, WV. The railroad operates excursion trains over a former Baltimore and Ohio Railroad line that runs between Green Spring and Petersburg. Since 1991, Potomac Eagle has operated scenic rail excursions through the South Branch Valley in West Virginia.    As you wind along […]

Hiking in the Patuxent Research Refuge

The Patuxent Research Refuge offers several nearly level hikes that include a lot of interest, including a the 1.8 mile Cash Lake Loop Trail, the 4.9 mile North Tract Loop, and the 2.4 mile Forest Trail. Stretched for time, we chose the shorter “hike” (more like a walk, although there were a few muddy spots […]

Mysteries of the Hudson Highland State Park: Cornish Ruins Hike

Why are ruins so fascinating? Do we expect to see the ghosts of the people who lived or worked there to suddenly appear? I don’t know the answer to that, but I’m fascinated by ruins. There’s something sad and creepy and symbolic about beautiful places that have been abandoned.  There’s almost a fairytale set of […]

Take the Most Peaceful Walk in the Park Ever through the Trap Pond Loop

Trap Pond is the feature of this small but lovely Delaware state park. Freshwater wetlands once covered a large portion of southwestern Sussex County, DE, where Trap Pond State Park is located.   Featuring the northernmost natural stand of bald cypress trees in North America, Trap Pond State Park retains a part of those wetlands’ […]

Cool Sights Along the Maryland Creamery Trail in Frederick County

Our goal was simple and sweet: head out to sample two stops along the Maryland Creamery Trail in Frederick County. Along the way we enjoyed the pretty farmland countryside, discovered some hidden Civil War history, found some instantly instagramable old trucks, and — oh yeah, enjoyed the best summer snack ever! About a decade ago, […]

Discovering History: Washington’s Headquarters at Newburgh

None of Washington’s military headquarters during the War for Independence is of greater historical significance than the Hasbrouck House at Newburgh, NY. The private home that became General George Washington’s headquarters between April 1782 and August 1783 was where he made some of his most important contributions to the United States of America. It was […]