Daytrips Offer Adventures Beyond the Beltway
By Moira E McLaughlin
The summer before I entered seventh grade, my mother (the consummate organizer) and two of her friends decided to take their gang of six kids on various day trips throughout the hot months. The point was fun, of course, but we were also supposed to learn something. Because we lived in the Washington, D.C. area, we went to Baltimore, Manassas, Va., and Chesapeake Beach, Md.
I realize now that those trips were not just about the kids. They were about the moms, too. Driving in the car to some random place solidified their friendships, which have lasted long beyond the day we got stuck in that rainstorm or the day we were spooked by the “ghost” of Edgar Allan Poe.
My mother had only two rules for our trips, and you should, too: Bring your sense of adventure, and always pack a bathing suit.
Bayfront Park, Chesapeake Beach
Throw a beach bucket, a few small plastic bags and a sand sifter (if you have one) in the car. Today, you are archaeologists!
Millions of years ago, Southern Maryland was underwater. That means that, today, fossils (mostly sharks’ teeth) are waiting for you to find on the shores of Bayfront Park in Chesapeake Beach in Calvert County. Wade into the calm water, no farther than kid-knee deep, scoop up a couple of handfuls of sand, put it in your sifter or bucket, and then look carefully.
For adults looking to relax, this is much more of a day at the beach than your average drive across the Bay Bridge. The water gently laps on the shore. The breeze blows softly. No crowds. And you won’t have to watch the kids’ every move in the waves. (No waves here.)
Where is it? About 35 miles from the (U.S. 495) Beltway. From the Beltway, take Route 4 south to Route 260 south/east into Chesapeake Beach. Take a right onto Route 261 when you get to the water. Drive about a mile. At the bottom of the hill, there is a parking lot on your left. Park there, and walk the short paved path to the beach.
What’s it cost? Free.
What now? In the 1920s, before the Bay Bridge and before the 1933 hurricane that took out Chesapeake Beach’s boardwalk, which ran 350 feet into the bay and featured an amusement park, verandas and bathing houses, this was where beach-goers from Baltimore and Washington came. Today, it still has that beach vibe. Leave your fossil hunt to walk the boardwalk into town for lunch at the Boardwalk Cafe, where you can sit outside and have a burger ($9.99) or a crab cake sandwich ($17.99).
On your way out of town, drive down Route 261 to North Beach. Go right on Seventh Street to Bay Avenue and Sweet Sue’s (9132 Bay Ave., North Beach) for dessert and coffee.
Mackintosh Fruit Farm
You know there are many kinds of apples out there, but did you know there are that many types of peaches, too? Pack a picnic for this day trip. You’re heading to the Shenandoah Valley for fresh fruit and fresh air.
Mackintosh Fruit Farm is a small family operation owned by Bill and Lori Mackintosh. No frills here. Grab a plastic bucket, and head out to the green fields and the 3,000 peach trees. Go after July 15 for the best peaches; blackberries and about 10 varieties of tomatoes will be ripe for the pickin’ then, too.
If you’re looking for more of a party atmosphere at the farm, go to the Peach Festival on July 27. The day will feature elderberry wine and live music starting after 1 p.m.
Where is it? The farm is at 1608 Russell Rd., Berryville, Va., about 70 miles from the Beltway. From the Beltway, merge onto Route 267 west toward Dulles Airport (toll). Take Exit 1A to Route 7 west. Pass the signs for Berryville, and then look for the Mackintosh sign on your right. It’s open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
What’s it cost? Less than $1 per pound for pick-your-own peaches.
What now? Explore the 50 acres of farmland to find the best spot for your picnic blanket. (There’s a pond back behind the fields.) Make sure you buy a piece of whatever dessert the farm is serving that day. It’ll be made locally from fruit picked right there. (Think fresh peach pie or peach cobbler a la mode.)
Harpers FerryNational Historical Park
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park combines beautiful Blue Ridge Mountain vistas with bloody Civil War history. It’s the meeting place of three states (Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia) and two rivers (the Potomac and the Shenandoah). Two train tracks and the C&O Canal run through town. This untouched land, coupled with the small town’s restored pre-Civil War feel, might give you a sense that you are farther from Washington than the mere 67 miles. (Shenandoah Street is lined with living history exhibits and museums.)
Start the trip by taking an hourlong walking tour through town with a costumed guide. On the 3 p.m. tour, you’ll learn about abolitionist John Brown, who seized the Harpers Ferry armory in 1859, and about the Civil War battles that ensued. (Harpers Ferry changed hands eight times during the Civil War.) The noon and 1 p.m. tours focus on other historical aspects of the town; the noon tour will take you onto the canal.
The town is small, so it’s easy to walk around and pop in on different exhibits, such as the one on Meriwether Lewis, or grab an ice cream cone on Potomac Street. There are also plenty of places to eat lunch.
Where is it? The park is about 60 miles from the Beltway. From the Beltway, merge onto Interstate 270 north to Interstate 70 west. Then merge onto Route 340 west. Follow signs to the visitors center, where there is plenty of parking. Take the free shuttle, which runs about every 10 minutes, down to the lower town (parking is limited there). Tours start in the field next to where the bus drops you off. Shuttles run from 8 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. Tours are also offered from the visitors center, including an 11 a.m. guided hike. Go to www.nps.gov/hafe, and click “more” under “Schedule of Events” to check the calendar.
What’s it cost? $6 per car.
What now? The mile-long hike to Upper Harpers Ferry off High Street is worth it, although less for the history than for the great treetop views.
Cunningham Falls State Park
Some days you have to just let kids be kids. Today is one of those days. At Cunningham Falls in Maryland, kids can run around in the woods, dig in the sand and splash in the water.
First take a hike to the 78-foot waterfall via one of the two well-marked trails. One is steeper and runs almost a mile. The other is a half-mile. Don’t forget water, and make sure everyone is wearing decent hiking shoes (no flip-flops). Swimming is not permitted in the falls, but people do it anyway. Regardless, the green, shaded trail will offer a little respite from the hot day.
Luckily, down the trail to the lake, you can swim, and lifeguards are on duty daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.. You can change in bathrooms by the lake. The beach is small and peaceful and a perfect spot to let the kids play and the parents chat.
Where is it? The park is at 14039 Catoctin Hollow Rd., Thurmont, about 55 miles from the Beltway. From the Beltway, take Interstate 270 north to Frederick, then U.S. 15 north to Thurmont. Follow the signs to the falls. The trails to the falls start right behind the lake parking lot.
What’s it cost? Visitors pay $4.
What now? If you didn’t pack a picnic, the snack bar at the lake (offering burgers and dogs) is open weekdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Circle C Oyster Ranch
This is a different kind of day. If you are looking for a formal tour or a fancy restaurant, this is not for you. But if you’ve heard about the lack of oysters in the Chesapeake Bay and you’re curious about what that means for the environment, this trip could be interesting. Here, you can speak with a real oyster rancher.
The best day to go is Thursday, when the ranch normally harvests the oysters. You have to try the oysters. Bring a cooler with you, so you can buy a dozen for $10, pack them on ice and bring them home for dinner.
Where is it? The ranch is at 49944 Airedele Rd., Ridge, Md., about 70 miles from the Beltway. From the Beltway, take Route 5 south (which turns into Route 235 south), and turn left on Airedele Road. You might pass the driveway on the left, mistaking it for a residence; the name is in small print on the mailbox. Details: 301- 872-5126.
What’s it cost? Free to check out the ranch.
What now? Keep your adventurous spirit alive, and have lunch at Courtney’s Restaurant, where what you eat was probably swimming that morning. Turn right onto Route 5, left on Wynne Road and then drive until you can’t drive anymore. Be warned. There is nothing fancy about the place. (Rumor has it, though, that you can sometimes catch Ted Koppel or Ben Bradlee dining there.)
Want to find a beach before you return to the city? Drive up Route 235 north to Hollywood. Turn right onto Slotterley Gate Road (Route 245 east), and then take a right onto Steerhorn Neck Road to Greenwell State Park. Entrance fee is $3 per car. Take the first left up the gravel road, and you will find a restroom where you can change. The beach is secluded and beautiful.
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