For anyone who has not traveled to the east coast and not
visited the Eastern Shore of Maryland, I’m here to tell you that you are
missing out on lots of great food, fishing and fun. The Chesapeake Bay area is one of the most
beautiful on the east coast. Maryland
crabs are world famous and you can get them fresh from the bay!
My mother’s family is from that area and I still have
relatives living in Easton, Maryland. My
mother’s cousin was mayor of Easton many years ago. As a matter of fact, my husband and I eloped
to that small hamlet almost 19 years ago this month and were married at the
courthouse, followed up by a wonderful seafood feast at the world-famous
Tidewater Inn.
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| This 19 year old souvenir pencil still looks good! |
Founded in 1712 the
Tidewater Inn is a step back in time while modern conveniences offer a mix of
comfort and charm to guests. It is the place for tourists from all over and you
will also find lots of locals who gather at Hunters’ Tavern for food and
friendship. The hotel is currently under
a remodeling project of the lobby. But
don’t worry it will still be business as usual.
Easton is the gateway to the rest of the Eastern
Shore. Head west to the “Town that
fooled the British”, St. Michael’s on the Miles River. Here you can rent a small cottage in town and
walk to restaurants and shops or rent a mansion on the Miles River and relax in
comfort. Have your own private dock and
catch crabs for a crab feast.
When the British invaded the St. Michael’s residents put
lanterns high in the trees so that when the Brits fired shots they overshot the
homes and the town was saved. The town
has it all including a rich history. Visit the lighthouse and don’t forget the
many wonderful restaurants.
Continue southwest and you will wind up at the end of the
road – on a small island by the name of Tilghman Island. This area was literally the summer
destination for many Baltimoreans back in the day. My parents owned a summer home there and at
that time it was just a sleepy fishing village (crabs and oysters). At some point a restaurant critic from New
York discovered the island and all heck broke out! Tourists by the car loads starting spending
time and money on a three-mile stretch of land called Tilghman Island.
There is a restaurant at the bridge as you enter Tilghman
that has had so many owners and different names over the years it’s hard for me
to remember them all. But I will say
that back on a January day in 1998 my husband and I put away about 4 dozen
fresh oysters, the best oysters I ever ate and I mean that seriously! If it wasn’t a 14 hour or longer ride I would
pack up and head there right now just thinking of those oysters.
Over the next few years we made many trips from our home in
New Jersey to Tilghman Island. We stayed
at Harrison’s Inn, which is where fishermen from all over stay in order to charter
a boat for a day of fishing on the Chesapeake Bay.
We took our chicken legs, string and dip net to the dock
near where my parents’ home was. We
caught crabs and cooked them on a Coleman stove in a parking lot by the
bay. It was pure delight.
There is so much to say about this area that I will have to
continue this at another time. But let
me end by saying this….the people who live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland
refer to it as “God’s Country” and they are right. It is a wonderful place to visit for so many
reasons.
Check out the links, find a
place that fits your needs and head there this summer!
Links:
