Read around the country: Maryland

One of my goals this summer has been to expand my reading into new parts of the world. I'm a notoriously bad traveler (I get pretty terrified in new environments) so armchair traveling is a great way for me to learn about new things sans the fear of being very lost! While upcoming posts will look at more exotic locales, I wanted to begin in a nearby state.

I visited Maryland last weekend with my husband, sister, and brother-in-law for a wonderful vacation. We tried new restaurants, visited a wildlife preserve (it had some sad elements, I regret to report, but the jaguar came right up to see us!), did a ghost tour, visited a brewery, and wandered the streets of Frederick, laughing the whole time! The scenery on the way was also gorgeous: man-made gaps cut into the mountains that first rose in elevation, then shrank as we neared the coast. Blue hills shimmered in the distance and close-canopied forest held their darkness in on the roadsides. Our only animal encounter was with some creepy taxidermy in a curiosity shop and with the many dogs we asked to pet, but I hope to hike there sometime and see more.

Before my visit, all I knew about Maryland was that, on marching through it, Robert E. Lee told his soldiers to sing "Maryland, My Maryland" in hopes of winning the citizens to his cause. It didn't work.

A dour looking choir master!

In preparing for this post, I started to research what Maryland is known for and came up with some cool tidbits:

* The Baltimore Ravens are actually named for Poe's raven - a rare mingling of sport and the cerebral!

* Maryland is home to the oldest population in the states, with a handful of citizens living to over 110 years.

* The Maryland flag is the only flag in the U.S. to be based on English heraldry.

* The oldest continuously-published newspaper can still be read in Maryland; The Maryland Gazette has been in print since 1727!

* As I noted above, Maryland boasts a wide range of terrain, from mountains to coast.

* Nature-wise, Maryland is known for its blue crabs (I confess to chomping a few while visiting in the form of crab cakes and crab dip) and its wild pony population on Assateague Island.







So, what should you read if Maryland is one of your summer destinations (literally or armchair traveling?)? I recommend the titles below to get you started!

Song yet sung - A historical piece, this novel introduces readers to Maryland's geographic and ecological elements as a runaway slave navigates its swamps. 

The Hidden Galleon - Want to know more about the wild horses calling Assateague home? You can't go wrong with this tome!

Beautiful Swimmers - Since you're bound to encounter crab on the menu if you eat in Maryland, learn more about the process from sea to table in this book!

The Civil War of 1812 - Maryland is also known for Francis Scott Key, writer of our anthem. He wrote it during the War of 1812. This revisionist history introduces readers to the many convoluted and divided loyalties said conflict inspired.