Boats going through Kent Narrows Channel: S. Clyde
Unique Byway on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay
Queen Anne’s County Courthouse: S. Clyde
The State of Maryland offers a unique driving route with its Chesapeake Country All-American Road. The Chesapeake Bay cuts the state of Maryland in half, going north and south. This 419-mile byway route along the Eastern Shore side of Chesapeake Bay includes many spurs up and down the area. Many water access points invite you to pull off the byway and enjoy sailing, fishing, hiking, and pedaling land trails, and paddling the water trails. Many of the trails also offer opportunities to go jet-skiing, canoeing, floating, oystering, crabbing, or swimming. The Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail was the first historic national water trail and connects the Maryland system of water trails.
Black Heron at Blackwater Wildlife Refuge: Jill Jasuta
Water, Water, and more Water!
The Chesapeake Bay was formed nearly 12,000 years ago when the glaciers melted and flooded the Susquehanna River valley. The Bay is the country’s largest estuary (where fresh water meets salt water) and the world’s third largest estuary. The Bay’s watershed covers 64,000 square miles and over 150 rivers and streams from the north, east, and west drain into the Bay. The average depth of the Bay is 21 feet, and it is home to 3,600 species of plants and animals. Bring those binoculars! The Bay area is also an excellent site for birdwatching along the Atlantic flyway as it is habitat for many Bald Eagles, Canadian Geese, Brown Pelicans, Little Blue Herons, and other species.
Become a “Waterman”
Kayakers near the shoreline Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center: Jay Fleming
One of the best ways to have a “water” experience is to take a guided tour on a “waterman” boat (person who makes a living from the Bay.) Some of the watermen have become Certified Chesapeake Bay StoryTellers © and let visitors work the Bay by boat, capture its bounty, and have a meal served “dock to table.”
History Abounds
This natural area was also one of the original 13 colonies of the United States. The driving route takes you through many early villages and shares its history through museums, old mills, historic sites, landmarks, and lighthouses. Early settlers raised tobacco; however, today’s fields include soybeans and melons. Shipb
Sultana Downrigging Festival -Tall Boats: Micheal Wooten
uilders also could be found along the Bay communities. Skipjacks and other sail boats continue to dot the Chesapeake Bay. Washington College in Chestertown was the new nation’s first college, established in 1723 under the name Kent County Free School.
Community Connections and Driving Instructions
Bags of Flour at Wye Grist Mill Museum, Wye Mills, MD: Queen Anne’s County Tourism
The northern gateway is Rt. 213 at Rt. 285, north of the C&D Canal Bridge and follows Route 213 through Chestertown crossing Rt. 50 taking spurs to Mt. Harmon, Betterton, Rock Hall, Eastern Neck Island, Kent Narrows, Stevensville and the Old Wye Mill. Follow Route 50 through Easton with spurs to Denton, St. Michaels, Oxford, and Tilghman Island. Follow Route 50 through Cambridge to Salisbury with spurs to Blackwater, Vienna, Pemberton Historical Park, Whitehaven, and the Ward Museum. Follow signs to Crisfield and take the ferry to Smith Island. Head north on Rt. 413 to Pocomoke City.
More info
https://nsbfoundation.com/nb/chesapeake-country-all-american-road/
https://chesapeakebyway.org/itineraries.php
https://www.mpt.org/stationrelations/chesapeakebaybyair/ (Maryland Public TV- 1 hour video)
Events
Oct 21- Nov 2: Sultana Downrigging Weekend, Chestertown, MD https://downrigging.org/
Nov 14-16: Waterfowl Festival, Easton, MD https://waterfowlfestival.org/