As an area with such rich history, Eastern Maryland is a not-to-be-missed destination for young and old alike. From the Revolutionary War to the War of 1812 to the Civil War, you can’t get any closer to the pulse of these events. Home to monuments, museums and battlefields, if you want to relive the events, this is where you want to come. Oh yeah, and when you’ve had your fill of scholarly research, there are great places to eat and have fun besides.
C’mon down to the eastern shores of Maryland
Coming east across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, you’ll want to follow the signs east towards Ocean City. After the split with Route 301, look for the 662 exit and take it south. You’ll follow 662 for 1.8 miles.
Wye Grist Mill
Think back to before the Revolution, and here you’ll find Maryland’s oldest working mill. Still in use today, this 1682 mill has been lovingly restored and is operated by The Friends of Wye Mill. Two huge grindstones still do their job, powered by an overshot waterwheel. The historical displays are very well done and very informative.
Nearby, if you’ve got some antsy grandchildren with you, there are six miles of hiking trails in the adjoining natural resources area where you can do bird and wildlife watching.
Then take Queen Anne Highway east and get back on US 50 heading south. Proceed about 5 miles south and turn left onto MD-662.
Councell Farms
If you didn’t see enough wildlife in the woods, there’s certainly plenty to do here at Councell Farms (11773 Old Skipton Road Cordova, MD; (443) 786-4915. This family-owned farm, located in a traditional, really red barn, is the place to go in Talbot County for fresh vegetables, fruits, home-made pies, 16 flavors of Vanderwende’s ice cream, and in season – pumpkins – thousands of them, in dozens of varieties.
Outside, the pumpkin patch and Field of Fun will keep kids and kids at heart entertained for hours. The signature piece is the large John Deere combine converted into a sliding board. More than 20 activities can be played, with five-foot diameter soccer balls, pump-the-duckie races, and a monstrous jumping pillow. The pumpkin patch is open seven days per week from mid-September through Halloween.
Coming out of the farm, turn right on 662 and head northeast for about a half-mile. Turn right on 3 Bridge Branch Road, and proceed 2.8 miles to 11138 3 Branch Road. Turn into…
Triple Creek Winery
This boutique winery (11138 Three Bridge Branch Road, Cordova, MD 21625 (410) 924-4190) has a tasting room, and you’ll be easily infected with their love of wine and love of life. Sponsors of an annual 5k run, if you are in the area in 2017 on June 3, you can take part. It’s the only 5k I know of where the completion is celebrated by a glass of freshly released, sweet wine bottled just for the occasion. There will also be pit beef sandwiches roasted on the grill and entertainment by the Wyes Guys.
Fox Meadows Cucumbers
This is also the site of Fox Meadows Cucumbers, started back in 2012. Raising English Cucumbers, it turns out is an amazing story. If you can grab Alex Spies, get him to give you the inside story on how they grow. I was amazed. Turns out these slender beauties are not only sweeter than standard cukes, they are also seedless, “burpless” and have a longer shelf life
Time to head further south, seven miles give or take, taking Cordova Road and then US-50 South to where we’d suggest spending the night in Easton, MD, county seat of Talbot County.
In the meantime, you might enjoy this Travel Guide to Talbot County. If you brought your bike, you’ll want this Talbot County Bike Trails Map
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