Small Town: Cockeysville (Part 1)

  • Date of Visit: July 31, 2021
  • Weather: Sunny, somewhat crisp, temps in the low to mid-70’s
  • Music: Ninja Sex Party

This Saturday’s excursion was a bit more abbreviated than I had initially anticipated. I took my husband out to get coffee, but he didn’t like the place we ended up going, and they were out of all the sweet treats we both wanted to try. We also did not go to the place I wanted to go to for dinner because my brother-in-law decided to make homemade Japanese food, and I am not going to say no to that.

I have a bit of an advantage in going to places in Cockeysville as I live QUITE close to it, and have been in and around the environs for the better part of a decade. It’s more suburb than rural small town, but it still comes in within the population limit I set for myself at the beginning of this adventure (21,038 in 2019). Cockeysville was founded in Baltimore County in the 1700’s by members of the Cockey family. Thomas Cockey settled himself in the area in 1725, and his son Joshua Frederick Cockey was responsible for constructing one of the first homes in 1798, as well as the first hotel in 1810. His son, Joshua F. Cockey, built the train station in the 1830’s and some of the prominent commercial buildings. The local Episcopal church, Sherwood Episcopal, was established in 1837 during this time of growth. Joshua’s son, Joshua F. Cockey III, founded the National Bank in 1891, and developed home along what was then known as the York Turnpike, and is now present-day York Road. [1] Part of Cockeysville are more developed than others, mostly to the South. The farther North you go, to the East and West, things become sparser, and the suburbs give way to a more rural feel.

On this sunniest yet crisp last day of July, we drove out to John Brown Coffee off Falls Road. Every day, their Instagram page shows the goodies they have for sale. We went about two hours after they opened, which was a mistake only because there was nothing left by the time we got there. If you truly want to have a chance at getting some of their goodies, you must stop by when they open, or very soon after.

Though sad, I was undeterred, and got myself an iced vanilla latte. I’m sure many of you have noticed a theme of my getting iced coffee from these coffee shops. And, well, iced coffee is the bomb, especially during the summer. The barista used whole milk, and it was delicious and creamy, with just a hint of vanilla. I am looking forward to going back for another or trying another of their specialties. They also have concoctions such as honey thyme lattes, cold brews, chocolate dirty chai, and London fog. I think the London fog is calling my name for next time.

The cashier told us that the butcher’s next door might have some cookies, so we went into John Brown General and Butchery. Almost immediately when you enter, you can smell cooking meat, and you see the large meat case with almost every type of meat you can imagine: whole chickens, pork cheeks, racks of lamb, sirloin tip steaks, dry-aged rib eye, and no less than three different types of Japanese wagyu beef. There is also a case on the other side of the register with house-made sausage (ask about the Frito Pie sausage). We continued browsing, and towards the back saw their freezer cases where they are dry aging their meats, before getting to their extensive collection of wine and other spirits near the indoor eating area.

In addition to all these products, there are numerous bottles of different kombucha brands; cheeses; prepped meats in bags to bring home; house-made broths; lard; ice cream from a local farm; specialty mustards; miso paste; different vinegars; and spice rubs, among with items. They were even selling bread behind the counter, and a loaf of sourdough came home with us, along with the special mustard, and prepped pork shoulder. In addition to all of these, if this wasn’t enough, you can also order lunch from the counter. Their menu changes often so make sure to come back more than once. We will certainly be coming back to see what sandwiches we can get and experience how delicious they are, along with some other goodies.

  • Our bounty has come home

The next time I venture out to Cockeysville, there will be more than just one stop, but sometimes life gets in the way, and we have to improvise. I hope I’ve once again inspired you to take a little visit somewhere you might not have otherwise known about. As always, enjoy the journey!

John Brown Coffee- 13501-13523, Falls Rd, Cockeysville, MD 21030
Hours: Tuesday-Friday: 7 AM-4 PM, Saturday and Sunday: 8 AM-5 PM
Website: https://www.johnbrowncoffee.com

John Brown General and Butchery- 13501 Falls Road, Cockeysville, MD 21030
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday: 10 AM-6 PM
Website: https://jbgbutchery.com

[1] “Cockeysville, Maryland”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cockeysville,_Maryland.

Small Town: Westminster (Part 1)

  • Date of Visit: July 25, 2021
  • Weather: Sunny, humid, with temps in the 80’s and 90’s
  • Music: True Crime Obsessed podcast

This past Sunday, hot and humid that it was, I decided to take a solo trip to Carroll County and stop in at the town of Westminster for my breakfast. As a lot of my outings the last few weekends have been achieved by way of the back-roads, I decided to take the highway to Westminster (though you can get to Westminster from my area by back-roads, it’s just way more round-about), and went down 83 South to 695 West, to 795 North, to MD-140 West and onto MD-27 South to get to the Main Street area of Westminster itself. From points south, you can reach Westminster by going North on 97.

Westminster was founded by William Winchester in 1764 after he moved to the area, purchasing some 167 acres called “White’s Level” by its previous owner, John White. William Winchester named the community after himself, Winchester’s Town, but it was changed in 1768 to Westminster because “the mail was too often mistakenly delivered in nearby Winchester, in Frederick County, Virginia”. [1] The town was incorporated in 1818 and was originally on the boundary between Baltimore County to the East and Frederick County to the West before the formation of Carroll County in 1837, which is the county the town is in today. [2]

I arrived in town a little before 10 AM, making use of a parking lot on Railroad Avenue that boasted free parking on the weekends (metered during the week). I initially planned to go to the tCUP Café for breakfast, but the shop was closed, and I couldn’t discern the reason for it aside from a hastily scribbled note on the front window (I checked social media and didn’t find anything). I was slightly disappointed, but I decided to try my luck further up Main Street, and found myself near the historic district at the Rare Opportunity Bakehouse. The shop is in what looks like a home from the Victorian era, and indeed was most likely a residence in the 1800’s. There is a small porch with three tables for outdoor seating, along with a bench at street level to the right of the stone steps leading inside.

There were a lot of options on the menu to choose from, not to mention all the baked goods on display: scones, brookies, cake slices, cookies, black bottom cupcakes. I wanted to try everything (and indeed, I did come back for an almond scone after my breakfast), but I settled on a sausage, egg and Muenster cheese sandwich, an iced vanilla coffee, and the lone black bottom cupcake to eat out in the early morning sunshine (it wasn’t too sticky yet). The food was incredible, and so was the coffee, and I am looking forward to trying the options on their lunch menu, and maybe a cold drink the next time I come in.

In addition to baked goods and things from the kitchen, they also sell bags of Zeke’s coffee, bagged tea, jams and jellies, and local honey, among other sundries. They have stalls at farmer’s markets around the area, including on Saturdays at the Westminster Farmer’s Market (May 16- Nov 21, Saturdays, 8 AM-12 PM), and if you can’t make it into the shop, I highly encourage you to find them at the farmer’s market to get your fix.

After breakfast, I took a leisurely stroll up Main Street, iced coffee in hand, drinking in the old buildings. I have a deep love of history (I have 2 degrees on the subject), and I can’t get enough of old buildings. If I see a historical marker on the side of the road, or even one on the street, I will stop and look at it if I can. I passed by the Carroll County Historical Society, and spotted a historical marker detailing when Confederate troops passed through Westminster during the Civil War in June of 1863. This website offers a map of a self-guided tour you can take through Westminster, and important stops along the way: http://carrollcountytourism.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Corbits-Charge-Tour.pdf

The weather started to get a little muggy, so I left Main Street, and went back onto MD-140, with my destination being Baugher’s (pronounced “boggers”) Orchard. Previously, I had only been to Larriland Farm in Woodbine for pick your own fruit (a separate entry will be coming on Larriland in the next few months). Baugher’s was a little different in that you bought tickets to get into the fields, and an open-air bus/wagon/tractor took you out there with others to get your fruit or vegetables. When I went, they were advertising  pick your own nectarines, and those did sound nice, but it was even hotter and more humid by the time I got there, and there were a lot of people, so I just opted to look at the orchard market and bought myself a few things: a large container of applesauce for only $3.99, some maple walnut fudge, a small basket of peaches, sugar-free maple praline syrup, and two coasters with the Maryland flag on them. They had many more products I am eager to get on my next visit: popcorn, raspberries, English walnuts, honey, beauty products, pies, homemade ice cream, jams and jellies. There are truly too many items to list here, and I don’t want to spoil the surprise for you when you make your way out there (you’ll go out there, right?). Baugher’s also has a restaurant with an adjacent fruit market, which I will also have to check out the next time I return. There’s always more to explore! Until next time, enjoy the journey!

Rare Opportunity Bakehouse- 172 East Main Street, Westminster, MD 21157
Hours: Wednesday-Saturday: 7 AM-3 PM, Sunday: 7 AM-2 PM
Website: http://www.rareopportunityfarm.com/

Baugher’s Orchards and Farm- 1015 Baugher Road, Westminster, MD 21157
Hours: Monday-Sunday: 9 AM-6 PM (May-June: 7 days a week, July-August: Friday-Sunday, September-October: Saturdays and Sundays)
Website: https://baughers.com/index.php
**Always call ahead before coming for the pick your own: 410-857-0111**

[1] “History of Westminster”, http://www.westminstermd.gov/264/History-of-Westminster.

[2] Ibid.

Small Town: Rising Sun (Part 1)

  • Date of Visit: July 18, 2021
  • Weather: Sunny then cloudy, with temps in the upper 70’s and lower 80’s
  • Music: Rick Steves’ Travel Podcast

The town of Rising Sun, MD is in Cecil County, in the northeastern corner of the state, less than 20 miles away from both Delaware and Pennsylvania: about 17 miles away from the University of Delaware, and less than 4 miles from Pennsylvania. The town was settled in 1720, originally as part of Chester County, Pennsylvania, and much of the land, called the Nottingham Lots, was given to the Quaker friends of William Penn in 1702, to the consternation of the Calvert Family [1] (no less than five of whom were the colonial governors of Maryland [2]), members of the Catholic majority in the colony of Maryland. The land dispute over these lots, and where they fell within the borders of Pennsylvania and Maryland, continued until the 1760’s when Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon drew the boundary that separated them once and for all. [3]

Getting to Rising Sun, you can take I-95 North (be prepared for a toll going North, but none going South) and get off on exit 93, or you can make your GPS work for it, and take the back roads until you get to Route 1, then onto Route 273 after you cross over the Susquehanna River on the imposing Conowingo Dam. From where I came from, I took the back-roads, enjoying the lush greenery of the undeveloped woods. There were produce stands every few miles, selling eggs and vegetables from backyard plots on the honor system, gorgeously appointed large homes, and lots of farms. The two-lane road gradually brings you into neighborhoods, and before you know it, you see a sign welcoming you to Rising Sun. Soon enough, you will hit the four-way traffic light, and be smack in the middle of the action, such as it is. I do not say that with any derision whatsoever, please be aware. Rising Sun is lovely, it is small, and it is quiet (quiet enough that at noon, I could hear various church bells all around me tolling the hour), and further on down Route 273, you have a strip mall with chain stores and restaurants, plus a large grocery store, and several apartment developments. I don’t know if I could personally live here because I do like a little more action (a local bookstore would be a welcome addition to the town, and if I did not see one, I would love for an eagle-eyed reader to correct me), but this is a great home for many people who prefer quieter lives.

  • A mural on the side of the Sun Pharmacy
  • Free Little Library in front of the Town Hall

My first stop, after scoring what I understand is the rare street parking spot (there is a municipal parking lot on Queen Street adjacent to the Rising Sun Pharmacy and Gift Shop), was the Rise ‘N Grind Café. This woman-led café was established in August of 2018, and is bustling in the mornings, especially on weekends. The line was almost out the door when I arrived around 9:30 AM, but it moved quickly enough. The girls behind the counter and in the kitchen operated like an efficient machine and made sure no one waited unduly long to get their morning sugar rush or caffeine fix.

There were a lot of things on the menu I wanted to try, but I opted for a frozen chai latte, an apple cider donut, and a tomato frittata. While I was waiting, I browsed a little bit and saw the items they had on display in their small gift shop, and looked longingly at their ice cream station before I took my breakfast out on the side patio.

Everything was delicious: the frittata was piping hot and fluffy, the apple cider donut was fluffy and flavorful (and I wonder how it would be fresh out of the oven), but the stand out was the frozen chai latte. I forgot that it came in three flavors (original, apple, and pumpkin), and so just had the original. I likened it to “autumn in a cup”: it was spicy and just sweet enough, and every sip took me to my favorite season. I’m looking forward to coming back and getting their hot chai latte…maybe pumpkin spice flavored the next time, and a different pastry to go along with it. The strawberry cream cheese Danishes looked very inviting.

In addition to pastries, hot drinks, and ice cream, the café also offers two cold cases with bottled Wild Bay kombucha, bottled water, and HumanKind bottled tea, which provides 50 gallons of drinking water to those who need it the most. [4] The lunch time crowd can get wraps or sandwiches, and if you just find yourself in need of a bag of coffee beans, there are several next to the register to choose from. Why not grab a bag to go along with your pastry?

Because I was on a time limit due to a family reunion at the Calvert Grange in town, I wasn’t able to see everything I wanted to (that’s what another visit is for, right?). When I went to Rising Sun, it was on National Ice Cream Day, and so it was only natural that I sought out a local creamery to see what they had to offer. Kilby Cream was that place.

Leaving the Main Street area going west (your GPS will help, I am clueless with cardinal directions, I am sad to say), and taking Wilson Avenue which turns into Hopewell Road, you will see Kilby Cream on the left side of the road. At the end of a long gravel path, Strohmaier Lane, large rows of corn on either side of you, you will come find the creamery on your left, with ample parking and, when I was there, a food truck that offered fries! I did not get any fries because I was planning to have lunch at my family reunion, but I don’t see anything wrong with getting a pre-lunch dessert on National Ice Cream Day (or any other day, for that matter).

I left my usual chocolate/vanilla/butter pecan/strawberry comfort zone, and ordered a scoop of black raspberry ice cream in a waffle cone. In addition to ice cream, Kilby sells eggs, meat, cheese, milk, butter and even maple syrup, among other items. I admit I only took a cursory glance at their cold case since I was going to the reunion and would surely be without a refrigerator for several hours to ensure any food I bought didn’t spoil before I took it home.

I took my ice cream outside, eating quickly so it wouldn’t run down my hands, and looked at the small petting zoo in the back which was a hit with the numerous children there with their parents. There is ample seating directly in front of the store, along with picnic tables, and a few scattered seats around, giving you opportunities to sit and enjoy your ice cream with your family and look at the farm. There’s even an area to play the game corn hole if you’re so inclined. The ice cream was delicious and rich, velvety smooth and creamy. It’s another place I’m looking forward to returning to once I am back in Rising Sun, and not on a time limit. Who knows? I might even take the toll road back up this way the next time. Until then, as always, enjoy the journey!

Rise ‘N Grind Café- 8 East Main Street, Rising Sun, MD 21911
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 7 AM-3 PM, Wednesday: 7 AM-7 PM, Saturday and Sunday: 8 AM-2 PM
Website: https://risengrindcafe.com/

Kilby Cream- 129 Strohmaier Lane, Rising Sun, MD 21911
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday: 11 AM-8 PM, Friday-Sunday: 11 AM-9 PM
Website: https://kilbycream.com/about/

[1] “Origins of Rising Sun”, The Town of Rising Sun, 2021, https://www.risingsunmd.org/department/division.php?structureid=55.

[2] “Baron Baltimore”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baron_Baltimore.

[3] “Nottingham Lots”, The Town of Rising Sun, 2021, https://www.risingsunmd.org/department/division.php?structureid=54.

[4] “Rise ‘N Grind- Because We Care”, https://risengrindcafe.com/.

Small Town: Hampstead (Part 1)

  • Date of Visit: July 11, 2021
  • Weather: Sunny with temps in the mid-80’s and low 90’s
  • Music: Britney Spears, Rihanna, Orville Peck

Accessible through two-lane roads that take you on a scenic route past farms, old churches and beautiful homes before you get to the small town itself, Hampstead is a small community in Carroll County. Main Street is the main thoroughfare (not just a clever name) that cuts through town, with most of the commerce and a fair number of residences on each side of the road. It’s very quiet, and quaint, and my husband and I even contemplated buying a house on Main Street back in March 2020 right before the pandemic began.

We arrived in Hampstead for lunch a little after 2 PM, now quite hungry after our visit to Ladew Gardens. Our initial choice for lunch is closed on Sundays, and we did not get a chance to hit up any of the breweries I had found in my research, but we still found a great place, nonetheless: Illiano’s J&P Pizzeria on Main Street. Like many restaurants during these times, they have outdoor seating, and we took advantage of the shade and the breeze that cut through the heat of the day, enjoying our cold drinks and delicious food outside. For a Sunday, Hampstead was somewhat busy, and Main Street/Route 30 in front of us was bustling with other people going to their various destinations, but it was not excessively loud.

Our food took a little longer to get to us than I was used to, but that was not a problem overall, and it was more than worth the wait. We split my friend’s order of French fries (covered with mozzarella cheese and bacon), and each ordered our own burger. Mine, the Deluxe Burger (with provolone and feta cheese, tomatoes, mayo, lettuce, mushrooms, and bacon) was delicious and came with its own order of fries. We both got to-go boxes because we both got a little full on the split order of fries, and wanted to save room for ice cream at our next stop a little further down the road- JJ Hoffman’s Creamery.

The Creamery, which makes its own ice cream on the premises, has a lot of character to it, not the least because of the wall of pet photos that you see when you first come in. They have a large selection of both daily flavors old stand-bys. Some of the daily flavors include Mango, Pistachio, Raspberry, and Dutch Chocolate. My friend ordered a cup with a scoop of Black Cherry, and Butterscotch Ripple, and I treated myself to a Strawberry Cheesecake waffle cone. It was one of the most delicious ice creams I’ve ever had, and I am anxious to go back. It’s no wonder that they have been in business since 1947. They’re a true small town staple, and I’m sure they’ll be around for an even longer time to come.


Stayed tuned for my next excursion into Hampstead to explore more places in the town, as well as an excursion up to Cecil County and the town of Rising Sun. As always, enjoy the journey!

Illiano’s J&P Pizzeria- 903 S Main Street, Hampstead, MD 21074
Hours: Monday-Saturday: 11 AM-10 PM, Sunday: 11 AM-9 PM
Website: https://www.illianojandp.com/

JJ Hoffman’s Creamery- 841 S Main Street, Hampstead, MD 21074
Hours: Daily: 12 PM-9PM
Website: https://www.jjhoffmanscreamery.com/

Small Town: Monkton (Part 2)

  • Date of Visit: July 11, 2021
  • Weather: Cloudy then sunny, temps in the 80’s and 90’s
  • Music: AJR, Bo Burnham, Britney Spears

My second excursion to Monkton was as much of a delight as the first one, and this time, I had company. One of my friends came over, and we drove the scenic backroads of Monkton towards our first stop of the day for breakfast: The Monkton Hotel and Café. The building itself pre-dates the Civil War, built in 1858 [1], and is a landmark on the Northern Central Rail (NCR) Trail that snakes its way from Cockeysville, Maryland to York, Pennsylvania. Before the NCR Trail was established in the early 1980’s, Monkton was one of the many stops coming north or south, and the railway station is situated less than 500 feet away from the front of the building. In addition to being a hotel, there is a café on the ground floor where you can get breakfast, lunch, and other treats to eat in the seating area in front, or take to go. You can also opt to rent bikes for exploring the surrounding area or the Trail, or tubes to use in the nearby Gunpowder Falls waterway.

  • The Monkton station on the NCR Trail

When we got to the parking lot, there was a small back up of about 3 or 4 cars in front of us, the occupants of which were taking up space while they got tubing equipment and got ready to go into the water (shedding outer clothing to their swimsuits underneath, putting on water shoes, etc). After waiting for awhile trying to figure out what to do, we had almost made the decision to leave when one of the café employees came out and made them move so we could park. We both appreciated that he had done that, and found out that that happens a lot when the weather is hot. As an aside, there is a lot of roadside parking along MD-138 W, with access to the hotel and the other outdoor recreation areas I mentioned. You may have to walk a little to get back to the hotel.

The café is quaint and cozy: a small table of local craft wooden bowls for sale greet you when you step over the threshold and onto the blue and white checkered floor. There is a small cooler with cold drinks next to the butcher block topped white counter, and there are baked goods from Stone Mill Bakery on the counter next to the register. The menu above, written in what looks like chalk marker, is sparse but straight forward. We both ordered smoothies- my friend had mango vanilla, and I opted for the mixed berry (raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, and blueberries)- and we opted to split a chocolate croissant, and a hot bagel sandwich. Everything was very delicious and hearty, and kept us full for hours, but I will be coming back specifically for that bagel sandwich, and won’t be splitting it with anyone the second time.

Once we were finished with breakfast, we drove out through more backroads and down Jarrettsville Pike, arriving at Ladew Topiary Gardens, a landmark in the area (crossing over into the Harford County portion of Monkton). The gardens were designed by Harvey S. Ladew after he purchased the land, which was previously known as Pleasant Valley Farm, from a descendant of the original family who had owned the land since the 1740’s: the Scarffs. The Manor House’s original foundation dates from 1747 and has been expanded throughout the centuries. There are 22 acres of gardens filled with various flowers, berries, and different topiary sculptures. Everything we saw was beautiful, and we didn’t even see everything while we were there, but some of my favorites included the Portico Garden, the Water Lily Garden, the Rose Garden, the Keyhole Garden, and the Temple of Venus.

  • The Herb Garden
  • The Portico Garden
  • One of the numerous frogs in the pond

I could have spent most of the day in the Portico Garden, thanks to both the serenity of the space, and the small water lily pond with small fish, and more than a few frogs that popped up to say hello. Ladew also boasts a seasonal butterfly house near the (currently closed) café that houses a variety of native butterfly species, and a few moths. I am looking forward to my next visit to see all of the places I missed, though I will make sure to wear sunscreen, as the weather turned from cloudy to sunny and I got a sunburn from standing out in the sun without protection. Once we were finished with the Gardens, we went over to Hampstead for lunch, which is detailed in the next entry!

  • The entrance to the Rose Garden
  • The Water Lily Garden
  • The Temple of Venus
  • The Keyhole Garden with a view of the Garden of Eden
  • Monarch butterfly in the Butterfly House
  • Black swallowtail butterfly in the Butterfly House

Monkton Hotel and Café- 1900 Monkton Road, Monkton, MD 21111
Hours: Tuesday-Friday: 10 AM-5 PM, Saturday and Sunday: 9 AM- 5PM
Website: https://www.monktonhotel.com/

Ladew Topiary Gardens- 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD 21111
Hours: Thursday-Tuesday: 9 AM-3 PM
Admission: Adults- $15, Seniors (62+) and Students- $10, Children (2-12)- $4, Children under 2- free
Website: https://ladewgardens.com/

[1] Monkton Hotel: About, https://www.monktonhotel.com/about.

Annapolis Showcase (Part 1)

  • Date of Visit: July 4, 2021
  • Weather: Sunny, with pockets of clouds, hot but not humid, temps in the upper 70’s
  • Music: First Sunday Arts Festival musicians

Annapolis is one of the main tourist attractions and school field trip destinations within the state of Maryland. You would be hard-pressed to find a Maryland resident who hasn’t taken a school field trip to the State House or the Naval Academy, or a tourist who hasn’t seen the City Docks, or the tall ships on the Severn River and strolled along the old historic streets. Visiting Annapolis is almost like stepping back in time: many of the buildings, which now house sushi restaurants, Starbucks, comic shops, or even a spice store, date back to the colonial, Georgian, and Federal periods. Annapolis was founded in 1649 by Puritan settlers, and in 1695 became the colonial capital after it was moved from St. Mary’s City, and named Annapolis in honor of Princess Anne Stuart. [1]

While Annapolis’s population is too large to be considered a small town by the criteria I have set for myself on this blog (39,728 in 2019), I want to showcase it as it does still have a small town charm and vibe that attracts so many people to it, myself included. I fully embrace that I have a bias towards Annapolis in that it is one of my favorite places to visit and it will feature prominently on this blog in between posts about other small towns within the state. Not all the time, of course, but enough. I swear I am not on the tourist committee for the town (yet).

Due to the prior COVID-19 restrictions, large scale festivals and celebrations were put on hold in 2020. 2021 marks a return to some semblance of normalcy we saw pre-pandemic, and the Fourth of July holiday weekend was home to more than a few celebrations: live music, dancing in the streets, Tall Ships at the City Docks, tours of some of the historic mansions, the Fourth of July parade in both Annapolis and the bordering neighborhood of Eastport, and of course, the First Sunday Arts Festival.

The First Sunday Arts Festival takes place on the first Sunday of every month from May through November from 11 AM-5 PM. In December, it changes to the Chocolate Binge Festival, and goes from noon-5 PM. The event began in 2001 and has grown to feature over 100 local vendors/artisan stalls on Calvert and West Streets. Walking through the festival area on the sunny 4th of July morning, I was excited to see just how many local artists had their items on display: photographers, painters, bonsai artists, jewelry makers, potters, even a fudge stall. The stalls were flanked by numerous restaurants, offering lots of food to eat, and abundant outdoor tables to eat at. Different musicians had set up in different areas, and so at any given time you might hear some rock music or splashy jazz, or anything in between as you took in the Festival.

My friend and I perused through, stopping at stalls that held our attention, and making mental notes to come back to some specific places. We stopped at a stall run by Randalia Farms, selling farm fresh honey, natural body care products, and some other products made from honey, such as soap and lip balm. My friend bought a large jar of honey, and I bought 3 lip balms (3 for $5): coconut, peppermint and mint julip, before we left the Festival area in search of some lunch.

Because COVID is still very much a thing, and despite being fully vaccinated, I wanted to get food to takeaway and eat in a less crowded area. We walked down to the City Docks, and stopped at Pip’s Dock Street Dogs, close to the Docks, as well as the Naval Academy. This place looks a little like a hole in the wall, but they have incredible food, selling burgers, cheesesteaks, and specialty hot dogs, along with different fries, and they have Jones soda on tap. We took our food down to the City Docks and ate there, enjoying the breeze off of the water. After lunch, we walked over to the edge of the City Docks to look at the boats in the marina and see the Tall Ships, which are replica sailing vessels that would have been seen in the 19th century, one of which is called the Pride of Baltimore II, used to promote historical knowledge of the ships of this era.

Because of the heat, we walked back up the hill to get ice cream from The Red Bean, a specialty ice cream which also offers coffee and tea. I got a waffle cone with vanilla ice cream and Reese’s peanut butter and M&M mix ins, and my friend got an affogato (vanilla ice cream topped with hot espresso in a cup), which we enjoyed on a bench in front of the State House, shaded by old growth trees. Once the treats were done, we walked back to the Festival and stopped by two other stalls we had seen before: I got 3 maps from the stall for Wimsey Cove Maps and Art: a 1560 view of London, a map of the New England states, and a map from at least the 1700’s showing Maryland and Virginia, and my friend got some floursack napkins from a nearby stall for her kitchen. This done, we left the Festival, but there are more than a few places I want to come back and see on another First Sunday weekend.

All in all, Annapolis is a fun place to spend an afternoon or a day, and aside from the places highlighted in this blog post, there are numerous other places I would like to feature on the blog. I think its safe to say that Annapolis will be a recurring place on the blog, in between the posts about other small towns. As always, enjoy the journey!

Pip’s Dock Street Dogs- 118 Dock Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
Hours: Tuesday-Friday: 11 AM-4 PM, Saturday and Sunday: 11 AM-5 PM
Website: http://www.pipsdogs.com

The Red Bean- 220 Main Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
Hours: Tuesday- Saturday: 9 AM-10 PM, Sunday: 9 AM-5 PM
Website: https://www.theredbeanannapolis.com

[1] Leonard M. Adkins, An Explorer’s Guide to Maryland (The Countryman Press: Woodstock, Vermont, 2013), 257.

Small Town: Monkton (Part 1)

  • Date of Visit: July 3, 2021
  • Weather: Sunny, breezy, temps in the lower 60’s for the morning
  • Music: NPR

Most people might not know where Monkton is, or that it’s even a place within the state of Maryland. That’s both the beauty and the curse of a small town; not a lot of people know it’s there so you are not inundated with tourists, but you’ll get a confused expression when asked where you are from or where you’re going and will have to name a more populated town (usually Baltimore) to give someone a location context. Growing up in the small town of Elkridge, MD, I always told people I was from the suburbs of Baltimore, just to prevent this.

Monkton itself is an unincorporated community in northern Baltimore County, accessible via Interstate 83 North or York Road/MD Route 45 North. You will be driving down two-lane backroads, so ensure you travel at speed, keeping watch out for bicyclists and slower moving vehicles. Monkton’s history dates to 1713, when the 3rd Baron Baltimore, John Calvert, set aside 10,000 acres as a gift to his fourth wife, naming his estate “My Lady’s Manor”. [1]

Monkton feels like an out of the way place: surrounded mostly by farms and undeveloped woods and land, it’s a quiet corner of northern Baltimore County. With a population of around 4,856 as of the 2019 census, spread out across numerous acreages, it’s peaceful and almost rural. Two lane roads are de riguer, and most of the time, you will not find many cars out on these back roads. And so it was when I made my way to the Monkton Refillery on the morning of Saturday, July 3rd, for breakfast.

The Monkton Refillery is on the corner of Shepperd and Troyer Roads, where State Roads 138 and 562 go in separate directions. It’s a small yellow building with three tables for seating on the large front porch, and more inside, which was very reminiscent of an old general store. The seating area is the perfect place to sit outside and enjoy your breakfast: it’s quiet, except for the birdsong, and the occasional growl of a car or truck going by, and the breeze is welcome on a summer’s morning.

Stepping inside, you might not at first realize that the Refillery is more than a coffee shop. Yes, there are delicious hot and cold beverages, breakfast sandwiches kept warm wrapped in foil, and a small assortment of pastries to go with your food (the apple turnover was particularly delicious), but the store is also a small natural market. Along with handmade soaps, reusable tote bags, konjac sponges, bamboo hair and toothbrushes, and other goodies, they allow you to bring in resuable glass or plastic containers to fill or refill with products you use daily: laundry detergent, liquid hand soap, shampoo, and conditioner, etc., and therefore reduce your plastic waste. It wasn’t something I would have expected to find attached to a coffee shop (or is it the other way around?), but I liked this place, and I plant to return for more breakfasts, or if my dish soap is running low.

Monkton Refillery- 17052 Troyer Road, Monkton, MD 21111
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 7 AM-7 PM
Website: https://www.monktonrefillery.com/

Further down the road, or just up York Road, depending on your direction, you will find Dough Run. Dough Run is a cute little bakery that serves delicious scones, granola confections, and gruffins, along with coffee, tea, lunch and breakfast sandwiches, and other goodies. Parking is in the rear of the building, along with the entrance, and there are outdoor seating areas as well for you to enjoy your morning coffee or your lunch al fresco. There is also a pick-up window on the back porch for order-ahead orders.

Inside, the women-led bakery is small with pink walls, with the dominant smells being coffee and baked goods. I recommend trying the mixed berry gruffin, or the maple pecan scone if they have it (“Both? Both? Both. Both is good.”)

Fresh off of my visit to the Refillery, I opted not to get a cup of their Black Acres Roastery coffee (a local roastery in the Highlandtown area of Baltimore City (https://www.blackacrescoffee.com/)), but that remains at the top of my list for my next visit. The mixed berry gruffin was moist, but not dense or too heavy. The maple pecan scone was a delight, and the light sweetness of it was enhanced by coffee my husband had brewed at home.

In addition to the above, Dough Run sells ice cream, bottled drinks, bags of granola, t-shirts, and bread, and numerous other items are available at their online store (https://dough-run.square.site/).

Dough Run Bakery- 16949 York Road, Monkton, MD 21111
Hours: Monday-Friday 6:30 AM-1 PM, Saturday 7:30 AM-Noon
Website: https://www.doughrun.com/

There are quite a few other places to explore in Monkton, so stay tuned for the other gems I have found in this often-unexplored corner of Baltimore County, including a brewery, a topiary garden, and a place to stop for dinner and bask in the history of the building. Until then, I hope that you may take a trip to these places I have found, or at least begin planning. As always, enjoy the journey!

[1] Monkton, Maryland, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monkton,_Maryland

Welcome and Enjoy the Journey

Welcome to the Small Town MD Traveler travel blog! On this blog, I will be traveling to different small towns within Maryland and highlighting the places therein that make them so charming. We all want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the busy cities and suburbs once in a while, and I hope this blog will help inspire your next out of town excursion, all without leaving the state of Maryland, though sometimes it might feel as though you have!

Each post will feature a different small town. A small town for my purposes is any town with a population between 2,500 up to 25,000 that is also outside a metropolitan area. Maryland has many small towns within its borders, and I hope to experience each one of them, and in turn, share my experiences and impressions with all of you.

Any small town that is featured will have the following criteria covered:

  • History of the Town: the date of its founding/incorporation, and any famous residents or events
  • Fun Facts and Trivia about the town
  • Places of Interest: these are not exhaustive, but will include historical sites; vineyards/wineries/cideries/breweries/etc.; bakeries; cafes/coffee shops; restaurants; antique shops; bookstores; orchards; beaches; docks/piers; parks; trails; mountains; cemeteries; battlefields; and churches, to name but a few
    • A Best of the Places of Interest will be featured as well, but please rest assured that the “Best” will be of my own opinion as I experience them. You may visit these places and find otherwise.
    • Recommendations on the best accommodations for overnight stays to enjoy the town will be featured as well
  • Best Season to Visit/Activities in that Season: sports to participate in; seasonal festivals/events; and foliage will be among the criteria listed for which season offers the best experience
  • Distance from a Major Town/City: since many of you, I imagine, won’t be living in the small towns I am showcasing, and I personally do not, I will provide directions to get there from larger towns/cities/major metropolitan areas
  • Hidden Gems of the Area: not too many, as I don’t want to take away from your first time visit.

Stay tuned to see the first small town I will introduce. Enjoy the Journey!