Maryland: the land between tide and time: from the shores of the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean to the peaks of the majestic Allegheny Mountains, Maryland is a state of natural wonders

Natural History, March, 2003

PADDLE THROUGH THE FERtile marshes of the lower Chesapeake as ducks, geese, eagles, and a swirl of birds soar above you. Bicycle on trails that meander through the unspoiled forests of western Maryland, or hike on the Appalachian Trail itself. Cast a line for blue marlin, brook trout, smallmouth bass, or striped bass ("rockfish" to the locals). Hunt for fossils along a shoreline of towering cliffs or prowl for owls on a night hike.

Looking for an adventure in the great outdoors? Visit Maryland's Western Region, nestled in the Appalachian Mountains. Here, you may climb the state's highest mountain, swim in Deep Creek Lake, discover a waterfall, do a little fishing, or brave whitewater rapids.

If you're a history buff, head to the Capital Region, where you'll find Frederick, Montgomery, and Prince George's Counties. Just outside the nation's capital, these counties offer the best of urban sophistication and the tranquility of rural life. Rolling farmlands, covered bridges, and vineyards mark the countryside. And you'll find a wealth of historic sites--from Civil War battlefields to the spectacular Chesapeake and Ohio Canal to fine colonial homes. Visit an aviation museum that celebrates the nation's beginning of aviation, then soar above of the ground at a state-of-the art amusement park, before heading to the Goddard Space Center for an out of this world view of space.

In Central Maryland, colonial history complements maritime heritage. Annapolis, America's sailing capital, hasn't changed much since it became Maryland's capital city in 1695. Today it has more eighteenth-century buildings than any other city in the U.S. It's also home to the U.S. Naval Academy and a center of boating and water sports, including fishing, crabbing, sailing, and swimming.

Historic fishing villages, picturesque small towns, first-class boating, a traditional lifestyle anchored in the Tidewater ... the banks of the Patuxent and Potomac Rivers and the shores of the Chesapeake Bay.... In Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary's Counties, you'll discover first-hand why Southern Maryland Is Fun. Birders flock to this region to gaze at bald eagles, great blue herons, and more than 300 other species of birds. And after a satisfying day of bird-watching, treat yourself to a scrumptious meal of Maryland's famous blue crabs, oysters, or a freshly caught fish.

On the Eastern Shore, enjoy the splendors of the Chesapeake Bay in the counties of Dorchester, Worcester, Talbot, and Queen Anne's. On the fringes of the bay, fragile marshes and winding waterways are teeming with birds and wildlife. Three of the nation's endangered species are here: the bald eagle, the Delmarva fox squirrel, and the peregrine falcon. Canoe through creeks and rivers, explore historic towns, hike through marshes and woodlands, fish and crab on the Bay--the unspoiled beauty of the area is all around you. Don't miss the natural barrier island of Assateague, one of the state's treasures, and its legendary ponies.

Wherever you decide to go, Maryland will amaze you with all there is to see and do.

Annapolis/Anne Arundel Country

ANNAPOLIS/ANNE ARUNDEL County brings you the best of Maryland's colonial history and maritime heritage. Fronting the shores of the Chesapeake Bay, the county is a center of boating and water sports, including fishing, crabbing, sailing, and swimming. Annapolis, Maryland's capital city and America's sailing capital, has more eighteenth-century buildings and houses than any other city in the U.S. It's also the home of the U.S. Naval Academy (410-263-6933), founded in 1845. Stop at the Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center for a map of the facilities, and don't miss the model ships and history exhibits at the Academy's Museum. If you prefer the countryside, drive along the rural western shore of the Chesapeake Bay, past fishing villages and farms dating from the colonial era, to the "lost" town of London, unearthed in the 1990s.

Calvert Country

IN THIS SOUTHERN MARYLAND county, you can take a cruise around Solomons Island, a historic fishing village where the Patuxent River meets the Chesapeake Bay. You can hunt for more than 600 species of fossils on the open beaches at Calvert Cliffs State Park--majestic cliffs, formed more than 15 million years ago, that dominate the Chesapeake Bay. Walk on the elevated boardwalk through the primeval beauty of Battle Creek Cypress Swamp in Prince Frederick, the northernmost naturally occurring stand of bald cypress in America. Visit the picturesque towns of Chesapeake Beach and North Beach. Here you'll find the Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum and the largest fleet of charterboats in the state. When you visit Calvert County, you'll discover why Southern Maryland Is Fun.

Charles Country

LESS THAN AN HOUR FROM Washington, D.C. and Annapolis, Charles County is a haven for nature lovers and history buffs on southern Maryland's coastal plain. Enjoy first-class fishing, 150 miles of spectacular shoreline, beautiful forests, and many lakes, ponds, and extensive wetlands.