country roads along the bay’s edge drive type chesapeake country 419 It is said that life in “Chesapeake Country” fl ows gently with the tide of North America’s largest estuary and its tributaries. Take your time experiencing the special beauty of this tidewater region with its pristine waterways and vibrant historic waterfront villages. miles from chesapeake city to crisfield t he lifestyles and livelihoods of generations of watermen, shipbuilders and farmers have been shaped by an unspoiled landscape that, even to this day, makes it easy for visitors to imagine earlier times when goods were shipped to “faraway Baltimore” in wooden barrels lashed aboard schooners. The pace of life is slower here. Charming small towns are often accessed by boat as well as car. Popular pursuits include biking, kayaking, enjoying the cultural scene in arts communities and dining on some of the nation’s best seafood. dwarfi ng Victorian homes and shops along the banks. The C&D Canal Museum captures the history of the 165-year-old waterway. Head south along winding roads that lead past spectacular scenery. Then, as you enter Cecilton, plan a stop at Crystal Beach, a summer town on the Elk River that is popular with swimmers and anglers. Nearby is the Stemmers Run Managed Hunting Area, which, outside of hunting season, is known for its hiking and fi shing. A side trip reveals the graceful beauty of Mount Harmon Plantation in Earleville. This 200-acre Colonial plantation, featuring an antiques-fi lled manor house museum and walking trails, is on a peninsula surrounded by the Sassafras River. Across the river is Georgetown, which the British burned during the War of 1812 but has been rebuilt and is a popular place for dining and entertainment. Continue toward Galena and on to Kennedyville, incorporating a stop at the Kent Museum to see displays of antique tractors, horse-drawn sleds and household equipment. Sidetrack to the town of Betterton, a beach resort that still boasts fi ne examples of Victorian-era architecture. Back on the byway, farms glide by as you head to Chestertown, a Colonial port that is home to Washington College, founded in 1782 and named for its patron, George Washington. Among the elegant brick town homes in the city’s historic district, you can take a horse-drawn carriage ride and enjoy concerts in the square. Veer west to Rock Hall, which has more than a dozen marinas o ering mooring and charter services. The town also prides itself on excellent seafood dining, an ice cream Upper Eastern Shore section from Chesapeake City to Kent Island INCLUDING MD 213 & MD 18 From Chesapeake City, you can look out over the 14-mile-long Chesapeake and Delaware Canal to see modern-day ships 48 | maryland scenic byways byways
MD Scenic Byways Digital Guide: Page 48
