My passion for traveling is in my DNA, a love that has been passed down through the generations. I grew up going on all kinds of family vacations, from smaller weekend trips to annual two-week-long cross-country trips during summer vacation. I had been to 43 states by the time I was 13 years old. As soon as I became a young adult and could travel on my own, my priority was always traveling, and I lived in Europe for several years in my 20s. Now that my life is markedly (and wonderfully) different as a stay-home suburban mom, my love for traveling remains, though travel takes on a different form.
Day trips and even occasional overnight trips are very doable as a mommy, and we are blessed here in Anne Arundel County to have many fun destinations from the beach to the mountains, driveable within an hour or two. I share some of my favorite places, great for either day trips or overnight weekend getaways. For me, these little trips, either solo or with girlfriends, are some of the best ways to recharge those mama batteries!
A few years ago I spent a lovely weekend in Berkeley Springs ALONE. It was actually before I was a mommy and was going through one of the worst workplace situations I have ever experienced. Berkeley Springs saved my sanity! Nestled in Blue Ridge mountains in northern West Virginia (and about 20 miles south of Hancock, MD), this charming small town is beautifully preserved from the days of George Washington, who visited often. Known for its mineral water springs, Berkeley Springs has baths available to the public at Berkeley Springs State Park, situated in the middle of town. This pure water from the nearby mountains is also some of the best drinking water in the country. It's available on taps in town and is also bottled commercially.
Aside from the water, Berkeley Springs is also known for its many local artists, and several have studios in town. For a being a small town, Berkeley Springs has a lot more to offer too: many wonderful local restaurants (there's not a chain restaurant downtown), spas, unique stores, several bed and breakfasts, a farmer's market on Sundays from April through December and hiking and outdoor activities in nearby Capacon State Park. Two places I ate and thoroughly enjoyed were Tari's Cafe with its fresh and unique dishes in an art gallery setting and Morgan Tavern, located in the historic and beautiful Inn at Berkeley Springs (which is where I stayed overnight as well).
I love all things natural, holistic and homeopathic, and there were several stores throughout town with many of these offerings. Every essential oil ever extracted or homeopathic remedy ever formulated can all be found somewhere in Berkeley Springs! I was a kid in a candy store at the Sage Moon Herb shop with all its loose teas and natural nasal remedies for my allergies.
Whatever you do, you will not regret any time spent in Berkeley Springs!
I'm sure for many of us fortunate to call Anne Arundel County home, the proximity to the water and having a host of water activities at our fingertips are some of the best reasons to live here! We do love our water in these parts, and one of the cutest waterfront towns I've been to is across the Bay Bridge on the Eastern Shore, St. Michael's.
I've only been to St. Michael's once, but during my day trip, my friend and I just enjoyed strolling along their main street (Talbot Street), popping into a few of the many adorable boutiques, window shopping, taking in the gentle breezes off the water and feeling the stress of everyday life melt away. We also enjoyed delicious ice cream at Justine's Ice Cream Parlour.
Just before leaving we had a fabulous crab dinner at a casual seafood waterfront restaurant, Crab Claw. We sat outside ON the water, a wonderful ending to a perfect day. There is an impressive number of restaurants in this small town of various genres and price points.
I learned recently that there are round-trip boat trips from Annapolis to St. Michael's. Ticket prices include admission to the Maritime Museum in town. Boats leave Annapolis mid-morning and you have just enough time to check out the town and museum, grab a bite to eat and get back on the boat for the journey home, and still be home for dinner. Furthermore, there's no need to worry about Bay Bridge traffic going this route. It looks like the perfect day trip this summer!
As a daily consumer of chocolate and self-admitted chocoholic, I do not need my arm twisted to go to Hershey for ANY reason! Though some may associate Hershey with kids activities, there are definitely plenty of adult-only interests. I've been fortunate to go to Hershey many times, with girlfriends, with my husband, and with my son. I've loved each trip, though they all have felt differently based on what I've done and with whom.
An especially memorable day was the one a girlfriend and I spent at the Hotel Hershey. We celebrated her birthday with an elegant high tea during "Chocolate Covered February." The tea sandwiches and scones with jam and clotted cream were all exquisite. Tea was served in the most elegant setting, on the veranda overlooking the center of the hotel. When funds allow, one of these days I want to actually STAY at the Hotel Hershey and enjoy their CHOCOLATE SPA. I've been on their mailing for a long while now, and I've learned the best times to go for the best deals at the hotel are in January and February.
On my visit to Hershey with my husband, we went to Chocolate World, where the HUGE store of everything Hershey chocolate is. If I can name only one very favorite item from that store, it's their chocolate candles. I've not seen them anywhere else, so I always stock up. My house smells deliciously like chocolate without ever having to make anything!
At Chocolate World, there are several activities for kids, but the one that my husband and I did that was enjoyable for even us adults was the "Create Your Own Candy Bar." Donned in aprons and hair nets, we entered the factory-looking assembly line, where we chose our own ingredients and designed our own wrappers. We followed our candy bars along the process from start to finish and was told this replicates the candy bar making process in their factories. It was unexpected fun! Indeed Hershey is the sweetest place on Earth!
My other favorite indulgence is wine, and I feel fortunate that within an hour or two of home are dozens of wineries that dot the Northern Virginia countryside. Some observers, perhaps optimists, believe that Virginia, including the region of Northern Virginia, is the county's next Napa Valley. Most of the wineries have tasting rooms, tours, and special events.
I've been to a winery just outside of Middleburg, VA. There are several wineries clustered close together just outside of Middleburg. One on autumn Sunday afternoon my friend and I picked a random one and enjoyed tastings on their grounds under a tent. The views of the vineyards and rolling hills made home seem a million miles away and was a great getaway. We ended the day by eating dinner at a restaurant in Middleburg, a charming historic town I highly recommend checking out as well.
Other towns with wineries include Fairfax, Leesburg, Linden, Front Royal, and Delaplane. One of my favorite drives in Virginia is through Madison County, which I drive almost annually now to a retreat in Central Virginia (see last entry below) and I pass lovely looking wineries along US Highway 29, all with incredible views of the mountains to the west. One of these times I will plan to stop. Cheers!
One more place...Yogaville
Though it's not within a couple hour's drive of Anne Arundel County, I can't write about wonderful getaways without mentioning one of my VERY favorite places on Earth: Yogaville in central Virginia. It's exactly 4 hours from my house in Pasadena. For the last few years, it's where I've gone to truly escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, to decompress, to meditate and to truly unplug and relax. I try to go at least annually now. I've gone with a girlfriend, alone and also with my husband. (It's actually where we became engaged five years ago!)
For me, Yogaville has a feel of a camp for grown ups. Days in Yogaville are filled as you choose, with several yoga classes and meditation sessions to choose from, delicious all-you-can-eat homemade vegetarian meals and miles of beautiful hiking trails in the Blue Ridge Mountains and along the James River to avail yourself to. You can also choose various levels of accommodation from camping to private rooms. Another thing you will love is that the prices are reasonable. I can't recommend Yogaville more highly! Who wants to go with me later this year? Namaste!
So grab those mom-friends, sisters, or go alone, but head out on an adventure!
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