Photo Credit above: Cove Point Lighthouse by Beth Graeme Photography; photo credits below: Calvert Cliffs by Calvert Cliffs State Park, Jake’s Market photo courtesy of Jake’s Market.

By Bob Tagert

For those frequent readers of the Old Town Crier, you are aware that each month we take a road trip. Most times the destination determines the subject matter of this column but we decided to feature some things to do on the way. Most of you faithful readers know that Solomons Island is one of our favorite destinations in Southern Maryland and we have featured it in this space several times over the years. We decided, however, to take a couple of side trips off of Route 4 this month. We visited some of the interesting places along the way.

The easiest and quickest way to get there is to pick up aforementioned Route 4 off of the Beltway and head South. After you get through the first group of traffic lights you will encounter open roads meandering through the Maryland countryside. The only large town that you will encounter is Prince Frederick which is also the County Seat of Calvert County.

About a mile down the road, you will come to a small strip mall. The biggest landmark is the Mr. Tire sign but the gem in this this space in right next door – Jerry’s Place. Jerry’s is one of the best seafood restaurants in the state and home to the famous Crab Bomb – 10 ounces lump crab, a touch of Old Bay and baked to perfection. Jerry’s is closed Monday through Wednesday. Check their website for hours. http://www.Jerrys-place.com

About another mile down Route 4 is Broomes Island Road (there is a traffic light at the turn). For the last 25 years we have made this turn to get to Stoney’s Restaurant at Broomes Island. Unfortunately, the restaurant closed a few years ago, but we still make the turn to visit friends who live on the water. In fact, we were spending the weekend at their home on this trip.

You will see an Amish-style pavilion on your right that is home to fruits and vegetables from Jake’s Produce and plants from Linda’s Greenhouse. This pavilion is only a couple of years old. Before that, we made our selections of vegetables and fruit (seasonal products picked each day) from a wagon pulled behind Jakes tractor. Be sure you treat yourselves to some of the best sweet corn in Calvert County.

A few miles further down the road you will find another local favorite – The Gateway Restaurant. Gateway is family owned and if you are lucky Sheila will be behind the bar assuring everyone is having a good time. They have a varied menu, specializing in local seafood and the prices are very reasonable. A great place for lunch or dinner.

Heading on down Broomes Island Road, make a left turn on to Mackall Road and follow it to the entrance (on the right) of Jefferson Patterson Park. For years I thought that Jefferson and Patterson were two different people. As I found out early on at the Visitors Center, Jefferson Patterson is one guy. Patterson served as United States ambassador to Uruguay under Dwight D. Eisenhower from 1958 to 1964. Patterson bought a large tract of land in Calvert County to develop a family retreat. The land was subsequently donated to the state of Maryland in 1983 by the late Mary Marvin Patterson and is named in honor of her late husband. The 560- acre property has more than 70 identified archaeological sites offering glimpses into 9,000 years of documented human occupation. It is a fascinating place with hiking and bike tails, canoe launch facilities on the beautiful Patuxent River. The park is host to many popular events during the course of the year and well worth the stop at the Visitors Center and walking the grounds. For full details log on to www.jefpat.maryland.gov. Fun fact: The Patuxent is the only river that starts and ends in the state of Maryland.

Making your way back to Route 4 and heading south you will soon come to a sign showing the way to Cove Point Lighthouse. Cove Point Light is an active light house warning ships of the shoal off of Cove Point into the Chesapeake Bay. In 1881 the light keepers house was converted to a duplex to house a second light keeper and family. The keepers remained until 1986 when the light was fully automated. You cannot only tour the grounds and light house but also rent the duplex for a vacation stay.

The coast line at the Cove Point Light is relatively flat as it dissolves into the Bay. However, as you move north the shore line turns into the Calvert Cliffs. These cliffs are constantly eroding from the Chesapeake Bay and Mother Nature. As the land gives up to the sea, many artifacts are revealed. The massive cliffs, from which Calvert Cliffs State Park was named, dominate the shoreline of the Chesapeake Bay for roughly 24 miles in Calvert County. They were formed over 10 to 20 million years ago when all of Southern Maryland was covered by a warm, shallow sea. When the sea receded, the cliffs were exposed and began eroding. Today these cliffs reveal the remains of prehistoric species, including sharks, whales, rays and seabirds that were the size of small airplanes. Calvert Cliffs State Park is a day-use park featuring a sandy beach, unique fossils, an accessible recycled tire playground, fishing, a freshwater and tidal marshland and 13 miles of hiking trails. The cliffs are a favorite place to go shark tooth hunting.

Time to switch on your GPS and plug in Perigeaux Vineyards & Winery and head back north (if you are headed back to NoVA). This is a great place to wind down at the end of the day as well as one of my favorite Maryland wineries. It is a small winery with some very soothing ambiance and they have a great selection of wines. We chose a bottle of their Pinot Gris and retired to a pair of the big wooden chairs under a beautiful shade tree that looks out on the vineyard. This is a perfect respite from driving.

We have covered a lot of ground here. If you want to turn your road trip into a two-day adventure there are motels/hotels as well as several AirBnB’s and VRBO properties in both Prince Frederick and Solomons. In fact, Solomons is a full day of adventure in itself. There is history there the likes of the Calvert Marine Museum and Annmarie Gardens is a must see for you art lovers. Tack on one-of-a-kind-shops as well as several great restaurants, bars and local folks and you have yourself set up for a grand time.

You might consider treating Dad to a “Road Trip” this month….