Marshyhope Hike & Bike trail, Federalsburg, MD, 1/23/24

Our 3-day escape to Maryland's eastern shore brought us to Federalsburg, MD, just west of the Delaware border and east of Easton, MD.  Picnicked by a Marshyhope creek inlet and set off to explore the hike a google revue promised us.  As it was the tail end of a week of snow and bitter cold, we struggled at first to find an ice-free trail.

Then, heading north rather than south, we found a trail winding along the outskirts of town and crossing the wide creek twice.

 

 I decided to call it "the hike with the bridges."

The pale afternoon sun helped make this a delightful winter stroll.

Distance: 2.4 miles, no elevation.

Serpentine Trail, Soldiers Delight Natural Environmental Area, MD, 12/25/23

Set out to explore an area recommended by friends on this sunny Xmas day. 

And with good reason: we walked over serpentine rocky terrain formed 500 million years ago,  bordered by beautiful expansive savanna-like grasslands. In addition, the area is of historical importance as the soil is rich in chromium ore that was mined from the early 1800s until 1860. 

Above you can see the serpentinite rock that easily dissolves and erodes, leaving this stony unfertile soil. The area used to be called "serpentine barrens" as in barren of trees. The area is the largest grassland ecosystem of the eastern US. It was once part of the 100,000 acres of the Great Maryland Barrens in the Appalachian piedmont. 

Distance: 2.5 miles with ~ 300 elevation change. 

Caprock Coulee Trail, Teddy Roosevelt National Park, SD, 12/1/2023

 

Trough Canyon, South Branch of Potomac River, Romney, WV, 10/11/2023

Day outing with our Film Society friends to Romney, WV, to catch a ride on the Potomac Eagle

 The main attraction of the ride through the 6-mile canyon is eagle watching. With its 2000 feet cliffs, the canyon is a prime breeding ground for bald eagles. While we saw a number of them, perched on tree tops or flying low of the water, my camera did not allow me to capture any on film. 

Luray Caverns, Shenandoh Valley, VA, 9/29/2023

A one-day bus outing organized by Howard County Recreational Services led us to 

Luray caverns, the largest caverns in the eastern US. We strolled from one large room with stalagmites and stalactites to another. 

Can't remember which is which? Stalactites stand for "T" or top, and stalagmites stand for "G" or ground. Here at Luray, the rate of growth is about 1 cubic inch every 120 years.

Above, a stalagmite and stalagtite joined somewhere in the middle. 

Look carefully and you will see the water level in the middle of the picture and the stalagtites reflected in the water.

More phantasmagorical formations. 

And, in the middle of it all, an organ. 

 The Wishing Well.  

Good business for the privately owned caverns. We were told that at the end of each year two to three feet of coins are collected from the bottom and donated to charity.    

Berkeley Springs and Cacapon State Park, WV, 9/11/23

 Treasure tour of Berkeley Springs starting at the Roman bathhouse,

passing by George Washington's bath and residence,

and strolling along the many flowering borders. 

Above, an Obedient plant in full bloom.  

Finished the afternoon with a meandering amble along moss covered trails at Cacapon State Park. 

Below, a happy Monarch butterfly caterpillar munching on milkweed.   

                                                                                      

We spent a relaxing three days in Berkeley Springs, WV,  enjoying our ultra comfortable cabin, the surrounding rolling green hills and trails, as well as the town, know for its historic thermal hot springs.   Our first trip away since my shoulder surgery two months ago. 

Patuxent River State Park, MD, 9/2/23

To mark the long Labor Day weekend, and my return to active life after shoulder surgery mid July, we decided to check out the Patuxent River State Park Nature Center.  The volunteer rangers do a fine job of sharing nature's gifts.  The ranger explained that the park is located along the upper 12 miles  (headwaters) of the 115-mile river as it travels to the Chesapeake bay.

Above, our lunch spot along the river.  

Thriving along the river's edge: 

Jewel weed, with it's delicate orchid-like flowers (Impatiens capensis) 

 We were not alone.... see what's peaking around the bend. 

All in all, we spend a pleasant 2-3 hours traveling the almost 3-mile out and back trail. 

A perfect "re-entry" hike!