Jenkins Creek & Blackwater Wildlife Refuge

Linda and I and our friend Robert enjoyed a three-day getaway on Jenkins Creek near Cambridge, Maryland. We rented a house with a swimming pool and hot tub spa. Getting into our kayaks wasn't as easy as we would have liked but we managed! We prefer a sandy "slide in" but we had to step in from the dock. That made us too dependent on the tides. We had two lovely days of beautiful weather and one very rainy/windy day. The house was comfortable and had a 52 inch TV, DVDs, books, Wi-Fi, a large kitchen and a screened-in porch.

The morning before we left we drove the short distance to Blackwater Wildlife Refuge for a drive around the wildlife loop and a little walk.

A beautiful September morning at Blackwater Wildlife Refuge.

Muskrat "houses" in the marsh.

Chestertown, Maryland

Exploring more of Maryland's Eastern Shore, Linda and I spent three days on the Chester River across from Chestertown. We brought our kayaks and were delighted that the river was so calm and the weather so beautiful. The river was about one kilometre or a little more than half a mile wide where we were staying and quite safe to cross. We only saw a few pleasure boats. One highlight was the large number of ospreys that we saw. Paddling slowly below them didn't disturb them at all.

"Chestertown has served as Kent County's seat of government since 1706. It has been a Royal Port of Entry and the hub of a thriving agricultural and seafood area which shipped its products on the once-ubiquitous steamboats."

Washington College, located here, was the first college chartered in the nation after our Declaration of Independence.

The physical aspect of Chestertown has changed over the centuries, especially the disappearance of the commercial wharves, but there are an astonishing number of original (1700s and 1800s) brick buildings still standing and lovingly renovated .

A ten mile drive took us to Rock Hall on the Chesapeake Bay also founded in 1706.

Lola Schindler

My dear friend Lola Schindler passed away on July 19. She lived 11 days past her 100th birthday! She lived a century with a loving extended family, through very good times and very bad times. Her life took her from Nowy Sacz in Poland to Melbourne, Australia. She will be missed by many people.

Lola Schindler

1912 - 2012

Berlin, Maryland

The small town of Berlin has made itself into a tourist attraction. The buildings from the nineteenth century have been cleaned up and have attracted lots of antique stores and cafes and restaurants. Events draw even more people.

Without the cars you could be walking in the 1800s

Windows in the Atlantic Hotel built in 1895

A carriage ride around the quiet streets...

Tucked away behind an old building is the largest Cedar of Lebanon
on the Eastern Shore, the 4th largest in Maryland.

Every year the "Bathtub Races" thrill the crowd!

Scenes of the Eastern Shore

       Maryland is divided by the Cheasapeake Bay and we live on the Eastern Shore, often known as the Land of Pleasant Living. We are more relaxed and rural. There are so many rivers and creeks and bays and inlets that everywhere you go you are near the water. Here are some pictures of small towns near us.

The free state run two-car ferry at Whitehaven on the Wicomico River

St Michaels

A place to relax by the water...

The Whitehaven Inn

A typical rural Eastern Shore house

Family Visit to Ocean City

Jenny, Josh and Elsie came to Ocean City for a visit in June! We all had a lovely time and some hot weather. We took them kayaking, they saw many friends and spent a lot of time on the beach. We all went out to lunch for my birthday.

Elsie is ready for fun adventures in her new dress!

Linda and Josh paddling on the Pocomoke River at
Shad Landing State Park

Visiting friends

Elsie reading the newspaper with Linda

A delicious lunch at the Palette Cafe in Snow Hill

Eating Thrasher's famous french fries on the boardwalk

 Elsie joined Tony and Bill at the bar in the Sunset Grille

Blue

Elsie - Six Months Old

Elsie is visiting Ocean City with her Team! Jenny and Josh say she is a good little traveller! She looks happy!