Maryland Camping
We included Maryland camping in our Long Summer Trip 2019 and it was one of our favorites. Neither of us had been there before and were happy to visit two very different campgrounds, Cunningham Falls and Assateague State Park.
Cunningham Falls State Park
Cunningham Falls is a very nice state park and we had a good site with water and electric. We arrived on a Saturday night though and the campground was very crowded. There were lots of loud, unruly children producing much yelling and screaming. They had also trashed the men’s bathhouse. No one appeared to be providing any supervision. It was so unappealing that we closed our shades and spent the afternoon and evening in our camper.
The Lake and Falls
Sunday was Fathers Day and we checked out the swimming area at the lake. It was nice, but we did not get in the water.
The Falls were more of an attraction to us. We took the easy hike to the falls. The path was wide and though there was a bit of a climb, it was not too steep. There were lots of families on the path.
The waterfall was pretty and well worth the effort to see it. We stayed there for awhile just taking in the view and watching the people.
Back at the campsite, all the people with the unruly children had left and it was so pleasant to be there. My husband heard from all our children, wishing him a Happy Father’s Day. That made him very happy.
Gettysburg
Gettysburg is not in Maryland, but it was only a thirty-minute drive from where we were camping. We had the afternoon and I was afraid if we didn’t see it at this opportunity, we might never. Gettysburg was the site of the bloodiest battle of the Civil War with over 40,000 casualties. We have wanted to visit it for some time. So, we drove to Pennsylvania to visit the Gettysburg National Military Park.
We did not get to do everything, but toured the museum and saw exhibits and a movie. There was an enormous Cyclorama Painting depicting the battle. The canvas is 42 feet high and has a circumference of 377 feet. It took the artist, Paul Philippoteaux, and a team of assistants a year to complete. There is a show with lights and sound effects. I really preferred seeing the painting with full lights on though.
There was a bus tour of the battlefield, but we did not have the time for it. However, we saw part of it as we were leaving. It was worth the drive to visit this historic site.
Sachs Covered Bridge
The Sachs Bridge is very near the Gettysburg battlefield. It was built in 1852 in Adams County.
The truss bridge was standing during the Civil War and was used by both Union and Confederate soldiers. It has been designated Pennsylvania’s “most historic bridge”. It is also reputed to be severely haunted.
Maryland Camping at Assateague State Park
Assateague State Park was my favorite Maryland camping. We could only get one night there, but were nearby and very much wanted to see it. It is on a barrier island inhabited by approximately 150 wild horses.
Most importantly, the island is natural and undeveloped, a rarity for such a desirable vacation spot. The northern two-thirds is in Maryland and includes Assateague State Park and Assateague Island National Seashore. The remaining third is in Virginia and is managed by the National Park Service.
The park has a very nice gift shop and a restaurant. They warn you about the wild ponies—no food should be left out or taken to the beach. Plus, you are told to stay at least forty feet away from them.
We arrived at our site at about 2 p.m. There are very few sites with electricity, so we we dry camping. However, we were good for everything except the lack of A/C. It was very hot with zero shade. The wind was very high though, so it was fairly comfortable to be outside. However, inside the camper was hot.
The bathhouse was right behind us and was the nicest I have ever seen in a state park because it was very new and immaculate. The path to the beach was right in front of us, so we had a very good location.
The Beach
We spent some time on the beach. It was certainly windy. Our umbrella blew backwards and consequently, we had to retire it. I did put my feet in the water and it was a bit cold. While at the beach, we kept an eye out for ponies, but no luck.
Wild Ponies!
I read reviews of the park and sometimes people come and do not see ponies or they see the from a great distance. We had been in several areas of the park for a couple of hours and no ponies. I told my husband to be prepared for a visit without them. While he was in the restroom, I saw four walking along the road on our loop. Quickly, I got the phone to take some photos. While I was standing on the step at the door, they started towards me. I quickly ducked inside. The park information stated that they bite!
As my husband headed back to the camper, I signaled him to look a couple of sites down at the ponies. I did not want him to miss them. Later, I had to keep on him not to touch them.
The ponies stayed in our area all evening. One also came back and visited our site. We loved seeing them! It made our visit to Assateague so special!
Maryland Food
Generally, we had good food on the road, but we had some particularly good food in Maryland. Before entering the park, we had lunch at Crabs to Go Seafood Market in Berlin. Everything was good, but the fried scallops were divine!
We also had an extraordinary lunch in Annapolis at Red Hot and Blue. I believe it is a chain. I had barbecue and my husband had one of his top ten ever hamburgers.
Lastly, I had a delicious seafood dinner, including crab cakes at Rik’s Cafe in Hagerstown. However, the absolute best crab cakes I had was in Delaware, near Cape Henlopen at The Surfing Crab.
Maryland Camping was superb!
