Maryland

Vintage Fun Map of Maryland

Maryland is one of our smaller states but has a large population.  A portion of its land was donated to  form the District of Columbia for our country’s Capitol, the city of Washington.  The Chesapeake Bay almost cuts the state in two as you can see on this postcard, so there are miles of waterfront.  A small southeastern portion faces the Atlantic Ocean and most of the southwestern border is shaped by the Potomac River.  Do I need to tell you that water activities of all kinds are the main tourist attraction in Maryland? 



Toll Gate House built in 1833 on the National Road
LaVale, Maryland

This is one of those states that I have traveled through many times but have not visited as a tourist.  There is much to see besides ships, harbors and lighthouses.  There are a few places that I would most like to visit in Maryland.

First I would like to visit The U. S. Naval Academy in Annapolis.  The Naval Academy Museum has many exhibits dating back throughout the history of the United States.  Annapolis is also the Capitol city of Maryland and has many other museums and sites to visit.

The second place on my list would be a day trip to Assateague Island.  This is a barrier island that has shared ownership with the state of Virginia.  The northern two-thirds of the island is Maryland’s share.  The island has been designated as a World Biosphere Reserve.  Assateague National Seashore and the Assateague State Park own and preserve the entire Maryland portion of the island.   The rare opportunity to observe the wild horses who reside on this island would be wonderful.  There are also beaches to enjoy on the ocean side of the island.  The bay side offers many coves and marshes to explore,   The National Park Service for the island is http://www.nps.gov/asis/index.htm

1980 view of Skyline and Inner Harbor

Baltimore has several special places that I would like to see.  The USS Constellation is the last all sail warship still afloat and is in the Inner Harbor in Baltimore.  Fort McHenry is also in Baltimore and is the place where Francis Scott Key was imprisoned when he wrote our National Anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner”. 



U.S.F. Constellation



These are just a few suggestions of the places I would most like to see in Maryland.  There is so much more that I have not touched upon.  If you plan a visit to the area (Washington, D. C. is just across the state line), check out the state tourism website at http://visitmaryland.org/Pages/MarylandHome.aspx.