Maryland

New Jersey, the land of jug handles, defying all left turns, and some right turns. Causing me to break out into countless fits of road rage. I was, I am sad to admit, excited to experience these wonders of driving. Which only exist, I believe, in this one, lolly, state. Which is about there best quality. That feeling of anticipation was short lived, after about, the first 2. Jug handles are a lose to me, and a waste of modern technology. NJ none the less was fun, we stayed a few nights with friends, enjoying a Bears win and a couple nights of drinking, good food and laughs. We left the state and leaving with it the rain of the last 3 days. On through to Maryland! With sunny skies, and warm weather in our forecast.

So as we have moved from state to state we have started to notice State flags, mottos and other ’stately’ things. Maryland, some of yours are, shall we say, interesting. Lets start with your state motto: "Fatti maschil, parole femine". An Italian proverb loosely translated to: Manly deeds, womanly words. Which apparently was largely used as a sexist statement. The history of it is complicated and riddled with speculation. An article going into a bit more detail about it all here.

Also a state flag that is, well, disgusting. Sorry, Marylanders but any goggle search of “worst state flags” will tell you that.

 

Also a state song that calls Lincoln a “despot” and a “tyrant”, and Union forces “Northern Scum”. 

“Traditions can become embarrassing. Sometimes they need be changed; or tolerated with a smile.”- Anthony Shugar. Haha. All of this however is, by NO means, a preface of how our time spent in Maryland was. We had a splendid time in the Old Line State! Great times and great people!!

Our first night was spent with Bob and Caroll on their farm just south of Frederick, in a small village called Adamstown. We arrived in the dark, which seems to be our MO. Directed by the flashlights of Steph and Bob I maneuvered around trucks and tractors, down to a grassy patch between an old RV and a chicken coop. Chatted with Bob for a bit and heard the sound of goats emerging from the darkness. We had a wander and had a brief encounter with them before we headed back to Rhonda to get warm and head to bed.

The wind HOWLED and shook Rhonda all night long. Temps dropped a bit that night as well. We have managed to find a fairly good system of blankets and sheets to layer, when in need of a bit more warmth through the night. We woke up to a beautiful sunny friday morning. Dropped the shades to find we were indeed surrounded by animals. Goats to the rights, chickens behind us, and beagle dogs to the way back corner, with a few more goats next to them. I got out to go and see if any of the chickens wanted come live in Rhonda and lay eggs for us for the next 6 months. Doubtful. Bob and Carol emerged from the house for the morning feeding of them all. We came out for an explore, and an introduction to Carol as well. They showed us around and we got to meet everyone, they also gave us a bunch of chard. (which we used in a delicious recipe later that week).

We decided against breakfast in Rhonda, more to do with our lack of groceries, then our desire to eat. Packed the car for the day, which included putting the bike rack on the back of the car. Side note— we hadn't done that before as we had the spare tire attached to the bike rack and it wouldn't all fit on the car that way. Also we had driven nearly all this way with Steph's bike in the camper, because, if some of you remember, the first hour into our trip we realized the bike rack, with the weight of the 2 bikes was bending the bumper of Rhonda, in an unsightly and unsafe way. After NJ it was decide that my bike would join Steph's, inside. It was surprising how much lighter Rhonda feels without all the weight out her backside. Ok. So, spare tire off the bike rack and inside Rhonda for now. All bikes and SUPs on the truck and off we go to Frederick for the day!

Frederick was an awesome city! Might have been my favorite thus far. We discovered upon arrival that its Sister City is: Schifferstadt, Germany, very close to Haßloch, where we lived while skiing at Holiday Park. (I think if we had to choose a place overseas to live permanently  it would be Germany). Frederick is full of trees, parks and water. Lots of old row houses with cool looking courtyards. A few blocks and street with much larger, brick, beautiful, stately homes. The city also has a great canal through the center of it. Which is surrounded by shops and restaurants. It finishes into a large park with an outdoor amphitheater at the west end of town. We went to the visitors center where they were a huge help in finding fun stuff for us to do and see. We biked the path they suggested, spotting lots of cool shops and places to eat and drink. The one thing we didn't see much of was the people. It was friday, so I’m sure most were at work or school but it was a beautiful fall day and there weren't many people out walking or shopping. I dont know, I just found it interesting.

Bob and Carol’s was about a 20 min drive out of town so we had thought maybe of finding a place to stay in town so we could enjoy some food and adult beverages. We rode around in search of our first, ‘Urban Boondoking' spot, since our failed one in Bar Harbor. We found a couple spots. Got back to the car and left to check out the Flying Dog Brewery just outside of town. Then to head back and grab Rhonda for a night in Frederick.

The Flying Dog Brewery, has a great brew pub area, a large indoor pub with bar seats all around, and a large outside deck area with space heaters and some “corn hole” games set up. We got a flight each. They were running a winter special that had them pairing: 3 of their beers with a local bakeries 3 cookies. The bakery was also making a new cookie to pair with one of Flying Dog's beers. So needless to say, someone was happy to have cookies with her beers! Everything was delicious and we decided to push off after one round and head back to Rhonda, pack up and head back to downtown to find our home for the night. We decided on a small side street with high ‘backyard fences’ on either side. No, ‘No Parking’ signs anywhere to be seen. We leveled off and got ready for dinner.

We rode around a bit and decided on an Italian place on the outskirts of downtown recommend to us by the lovely ladies at the visitors center, also with great yelp reviews. This night we were on a mission, it seemed, to consume some carbs. We decided to go with an order of their “pane”(bread), basically a large lump of warm, just out of the oven, moist, buttery, slightly toasted on the outside, gift from God! Not without a side of oil and balsamic for dipping. Next was an order of, fist-sized-meatballs, smothered in delicious marinara. In our attempt to consume some form of vegetables we decide on the roasted cauliflower. Then to top it all off, a pizza, with prischuittio, artichoke hearts and goat cheese. Amazing! Possibly a bottle of wine too; only seemed fair. We chatted with the lovely bar tender who helped direct us to a few good wineries for tomorrows trip up to Thurmont. 

We got back to Rhonda climbed into bed, Steph was going for a Yoga class in the morning and I was gonna to be moving us to a different spot as to not push our luck with where we were parked. We woke to a cloudy and cold morning. I moved us up to the visitors center lot, made breakfast and when Steph got back we packed up and headed out. Wishing to stay another night but in much need of a Blackwater dump and a fresh water top up, we headed north up to Thurmont, in search of a campground and some wineries. Finding both, we pulled into the campsite, which was, like pulling into a different world. Travel trailers, Rvs and trucks, from all eras were strewn about the campgrounds. The place would have been beautiful about 20 years ago. Now it was an over grown mess of old vehicles, garbage, weeds, and more garbage. We circled around until finding another person. Asked if we could stay a night. He made up a number in his head which was agreeable to us, we paid and parked Rhonda. She needs to go poo badly and we had some newly purchased parts for her to try out. A successful blackwater dump and fully hooked up to power and water we made our move to the winery for a bit more of a refined activity, like wine and spirit tasting! 

We landed at Springfield Manor Winery and Distillery. Beautiful estate, a old restored farm house and a large barn transitioned into a venue area and bar, with both wine and spirit tastings going on. Now I’m no expert, but, this was the first tasting I have ever been to where we had to pay to taste. Im not talking, “Ok you pay a one time fee and can taste as much as you want.” No. Maybe its Maryland law I don't know. We could only taste x amount of wines for a certain price. Not cheap by the way. So we split it up, she tasted half and I tasted half, stealing sips from each others glasses along the way. Good, but not much of a variety to choose from. Next the Spirits. Again same thing, you could only choose 3 and were paying for each. Again not cheap. But you only live once right, and they had some really cool spirits. A few apple and pear schnapps. European schnapps, bringing us right back to Germany! A white rum, a smokey rum, a sweet rum and a smokey/sweet rum. Next a gin, a lavender gin. The lavender field was right out front of the house. Delicious. They also had a corn whiskey and a Grappa, an Italian after dinner drink.  After, we went up to enjoy one drink from the ones we had tried. We would have bought a bottle I’m sure, if we weren't charged for the tastings. Oh well. Im sure they have a reason for it. It was a beautiful ambiance in the venue area. The barn was all open with all the lofts taken out, leaving us with a giant open area up to the rafters, with only the large timber framing exposed, which were lit up with white fairy lights. A small band playing some good tunes, a few oldtimers cutting up the dance floor. We sat and watched, ending up chatting with the couple next to us, who we found out were the owners. Cool couple with a very cool family. They have done an amazing job restoring the old farm house and retrofitting the old barn to a bar/entertainment area. There was a wedding being held outside which looked lovely with the fall tree colors and mountains in the background. Great end to the day.

The next day was “shower day”. In desperate need of showers we attempted to go to the bath house at the campground. Horrible idea. It was like something out of the first Saw movie. Dimly lit, flickering florescent lights. Stains, dirt and grime on the wall, as if the janitor packed up his mop and brushes 15 years ago and management went. “Well, we’re never gonna be able to find someone to do that job again. Fuck it, it'll clean its self.”. Disgusting. We passed. Went for a hike up to Cunningham Falls. Climbed to the top, had a great outdoors morning. One we haven't had in a while! Got back to Rhonda, packed up for our next stop on the east coast of the Chesapeake Bay area and another Boondockers Welcome house. We stopped at a truck stop along the way for a shower; no luck. Just as bad as the campsite. We were driving through Annapolis hadn't planned on stopping, but it was getting close to sunset and had heard there was great paddling there. We couldn't find an easy spot to launch and the sun was setting quicker then we had anticipated. We didn't paddle but were able to drive through downtown. It looked really cool and we kinda wished we had planned a night or 2 there after seeing it. Toyed with the idea of coming back tomorrow as our Boondockers was only a 30 minute drive away over “The Bay Bridge”. However the $8 toll one way made it seem less inticing. We opted not to come back. Some day though, hopefully.

We stayed in Queenstown on the Eastern side of the Chesapeake Bay. The house was great, tucked way back from the main road, down a dusty dirt road, the property backed up to a fishery lake. A bit too swampy around the edges to get the boards in. (We found a great spot for paddling later though.) The shower saga still continues, and we needed some laundry done as well, just towels. Easy, if you can find an open laundry mat on a Sunday evening. Google found one that didn't exist any more, so Steph ran into an Irish pub, hoping the Irish knew where we could get some laundry done. They did, and even offered to let us come to there house if the place was closed, for a few drinks and to do our laundry there. The laundry mat was open but we had only 35 min. Ok! Laundry in, I will run to the store for some food and wine. Back to load up the dryer and finish just at 7. We were lucky there was another gentlemens laundry in the dryer that wouldn't be done till after ours so we got a couple extra minutes of drying time. Showers; where are you? Its always nice to go to bed clean. We would not tonight. Went and tried another truck stop. They had only one working shower, which was in use when we arrived. By the looks of the bathroom; I was out. Steph was desperate and was willing to wait. Although, we ultimately decided that the gym, which was open tomorrow, which had a yoga class in the morning would be the better option for us. For 10 bucks each we got a yoga class and full service: showers, sauna, steam room. Those showers have been the best so far. (and Im writing this; 3 states and about 3 weeks later.) Oh how I miss them.... I think if you could plan it right, a gym membership to a large chain of gyms along your route would be the way to go…Depending on cost of membership. Anyways we were showered and clean the next morning after yoga. Onto our day trip down the Chesapeake Bay east coast. To Oxford, St. Michaels, and some paddle boarding for an amazing sunset over the Bay!

Oxford was sleepy and VERY quiet. We did manage to meet a nice lady running a gift shop that was from Wheaton, IL. The next town over from where I grew up. Small world. Her and her husband spend the better part of their marriage sailing up and down the east coast of the states. After years of that, they finally stepped back onto land and settled there in Oxford. We walked around a bit, nice homes but not really anything at all going on. Time to go. St. Michales was a bit more lively. Still a very touristy, seasonal town. Had a maritime museum, a large marina and a long Main St. full of shops, bars and restaurants which were mostly closed or closing for the season. Would be a cool place to spend a weekend during the summer when it was in full swing. We headed out to find a spot to catch the sunset and a paddle. We wandered down a dirt road that looked like it would head us to a spot on the coast following signs for Lowes Warf, hoping it was facing the right direction, uninterrupted by islands or peninsulas. It was a great spot to launch from and looked like it would be a really cool restaurant/bar to hang at in the summer. They were closed for the season but were nice and let us park and launch for our paddle. The bay; calm and shallow, let us be able to spot lots of crabs and horeshoe crabs on our paddle out. The sunset was unreal. Had a blast just hanging out on the water. As the sun dropped, so did the temps, we made our way back, packed up and headed home.

 We spent the next day doing, home things. A bit of blog writing, a few errands, some cleaning, yoga and repairs. We were leaving the next day for Ocean City and Assateague Island, and our “Points Vacation”!! More on all that later. Whew. I feel like I have been typing for days! Sorry if I have rambled on, on this one. Maryland was really a great time. Such beautiful state. We really got to see a lot that it had to offer. A bit of the inland, hills and mountains, the Chesapeake Bay area which has so much history and beauty to it. And there is still more to come, with Ocean City and Assateague Island. I will let my better half fill you in on all that. With an interesting little event from Virginia Beach as well. Till next time, Fatti maschil, parole femine. 

J

Seasons of Change

Morning walk musings near Lake Wylie, SC...

I've been thinking a lot about change. Maybe not even thinking - to say I've been "feeling" a lot about change, would be better. Feeling a thrill and curiosity with exploring each new place... along with an underlying anxiety when faced with the thought of having to pick "just one" and "settle down". This whole East Coast "#theroadtohome" excursion we've been on has been the very symbol and experience of change. A changing point in our relationship and in our careers. Looking for a completely new place to live, which will mean a new way of life for J and I.  I know a lot of performers go through feelings like this.  And all against the backdrop of the Atlantic coast autumn - making change seem  breathtaking, colourful, and even effortless. Oh Mother Nature - you have so much to teach me! 

For sure, at times out on the road, J and I are wondering what the hell we are doing and if we are even going in the "right" direction. Whatever "right" means ↔️↕️.  I'm grateful that we both have a very natural understanding that what is "right" for others/society isn't necessarily what will work for us. Our lives to this point have been so far away from the norm that we know that we must march to the beat of our own (organic) drum. Not that there aren't heaps of pressures from many directions (mainly our own struggling minds) to do one thing or another. 

Maple saplings

Anyways, I went for a walk this morning. It was early and J was still snuggled in bed. A few walking paths through a big open field, bordered with bits of forest and small peeks at the lake in the distance. And I noticed the ground was covered in tiny little maple trees. Not ones planted by humans, but ones growing by their own will. Just little 8-10" saplings with their leaves red and orange and yellow, making the paling yellow grass look brighter with their presence. I wonder if many of them will survive the winter... then I remembered that we are in South Carolina and that this is probably about as much chill as they will have to weather. Lucky lil maples. 

Learning a thing or two 

And then I came across a grandfather tree. Big and strong; I have no doubt his roots run deep. A thriving member of his field-community, thick vines climb high on his trunk, and soft green mosses snuggle his base. And it hits me. Change takes time. Sometimes A LOT of time. It's so easy to forget it in this society of instant connection to everything and everyone. We are not just accustomed, but expecting that everything in our lives should happen fast. But reality just isn't so, and it's so easy to forget it! Those saplings will not be giants in the spring... Or for many springs to come. And watching the saplings grow, we may not notice changes day to day or week to week. Just as we won't "figure out" life with one big decision. But, over time, looking back at a season, a year, or a decade....The changes and transformations will be outstanding, sometimes impossible to conceive where we began, or where we were along the way.  It will be possible to see our progress; to notice the growth we have gained from even our biggest setbacks, or especially from our biggest setbacks! With a keen eye we will see where the magic was unfolding, unbeknownst to us at the time.  

Today's lessons? Change is inevitable. Patience is golden... The seasons they will come and go. And me? I will strive to grow wherever I am. 

With love, 

 Steph xx

"For a seed to achieve its greatest expression, it must come completely undone. The shell cracks, it's insides come out, and everything changes. To someone who doesn't understand growth, it would look like complete destruction."
~ Cynthia Occelli