Travel On The Level

History
 This area was a hot bed of  activity during the War of 1812 which celebrates its 200th anniversary next year.

Re-enactors bring the 1700s to life at historic Old St. Mary's.

Before that, there was Historic Old St. Mary's, the fourth permanent English settlement in the New World and Maryland's first capital, thanks to Lord Baltimore. Today it's a 17th century living history museum in a la Williamsburg and a delight to visit.

Tip: You will encounter stairs here, especially if you want to go down to the dock. Walking, too, but it's no real challenge.

Stairway at Sotterley Plantation.

Before Monticello or Mount Vernon, there was Sotterley Plantation on the banks of the Pawtuxent River, the only remaining Tidewater Plantation in Maryland open to the public. A National Historic Landmark, too.

You might find re-enactors at Sotterley, too.

Tip: You'll do some walking here and encounter stairs if the upper floor of the plantation is open.

Summerseat is where the buffalo roam.

The current Summerseat residence was built in 1884.

Another historic spot is Summerseat Farm in northern St. Marys County. Known by that name since 1678, the current Queen Anne-style house was built in 1884. Today it is a working farm where buffalo are bred and where visitors with reservations are welcome to have a look, visit the out buildings and petting zoo.






Kick Back

A gracious stretch of along Chesapeake Bay.

When you've had it with pounding pavement, standing on marble and climbing stairs in our nation's capital, Maryland's Western shore of Chesapeake Bay makes a great respite, a place to kick back, wade in water, indulge yourself and just relax.

Chesapeake Beach Resort & Spa is a good spot to headquarter.

There are many good places to stay but I was taken with the centrally located Chesapeake Beach Resort & Spa. Great views off your comfortable room's balcony, good food, pleasant service with fishing and boating a few steps away. There's a large indoor pool and an outdoor amphitheater for concerts too.

Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum.

Right next door there's also the small but interesting Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum, documenting the area's heyday when a train brought thousands from the hot cities of Baltimore and Washington, D. C. to the cool waterfront of Chesapeake Beach.