June 17th, 2015
A few weeks ago two of my usual suspects and I took a day trip to Oxford, St. Michaels, and Easton….Maryland’s Eastern Shore!! Today’s weather reminded me of that trip. At times it is better not to plan. Our trip was unexpected and we had the most fun. These women are interesting, exciting, and always ready for a road trip.
We had lunch at the Robert Morris Inn, ice cream at the Highland Creamery and then stopped at a very cute shop called The Treasure Chest, located at 214 N. Morris St. Tel. 410-924-8817 They are on Facebook.
The shop opens Wednesday through Monday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Skipper Bags, Stained Glass, Pottery, Tervis, Joan’s Gems, Port of Oxford merchandise and much more is what Joan Nubie-Miscall offers to her customers, along with plenty of friendly conversation.
The Oxford-Bellevue Ferry is America’s oldest privately owned ferry. It was established in 1683. The 2 Debbies and I were taking it, crossing the Tred Avon River. The ferry runs 7 days a week. Please note that in November, it only runs Saturday and Sunday. There are continuous crossings every 15-20 minutes. It closes at sunset. Tel. 410-745-9023. Website? http://www.oxfordbellevueferry.com. On Facebook find it as Oxford Bellevue Ferry. Fares are subject to change. You can take your bikes, motorcycle, car or just be a walk-on passenger.
It takes no time to cross the Tred Avon River. The ferry is very small….on that day only my car and two other passengers with their bikes were on board.
The mail to St. Michaels was coming with us, as well. Oxford is a small town.
Meet my two friends. Debbie and Debbie.
Arriving at Bellevue Landing….The scenic route between Oxford and St. Michaels is one of the top 25 bicycle routes in the U.S.A.
We went directly to The Inn at Perry Cabin. This Manor Home Resort & Spa is owned by the Belmond Group. It is located at 308 Watkins Lane in St. Michaels, MD 21663. Tel. 410-745-2200. Website? http://www.belmond.com/innatperrycabin It is pet friendly.
Manicured gardens and cozy corners to take a seat and relax.
The Inn at Perry Cabin is a destination for weddings, sailing, spa relaxing treatments, and other celebrations. We decided to make ourselves at home. So much so, that we did not even take a walk in downtown St. Michaels.
Sipping Cucumber Water, we sat for the longest time enjoying one beautiful scenery and the best company.
Our day was not over….our next destination? Easton, Maryland…Stay tuned.
“Travel becomes a strategy for accumulating photographs.” susan sontag……Guilty!!
June 1st, 2015
I scream for Ice Cream!! I love ice cream. It is my donwfall. I really don’t keep it in the freezer, no way!! My problem is that I usually do not discriminate. I can have a Frosty or I can have the best homemade ice cream in the world. Which is why I am writing this post today….and passing the info. to you.
A couple of posts back I wrote about the Robert Morris Inn in Oxford, Maryland. No dessert was needed after our fab. lunch….we were walking towards the Scottish Highland Creamery located at 314 Tilghman St., Tel. 410-924-6298. Website? http://www.scottishhighlandcreamery.com. If you are on Facebook, check them out there, as well.
Oxford is usually pretty quiet in the middle of the week. The Creamery always has a line. I have to admit it; this is the best ice cream ever!! It is so good. Fresh ingredients with flavorings imported from Italy. They also have sugar free and gluten free ice cream. Note: They do cater parties!!
My usual suspects, the 2 Debbies and I had the following….Please do remember that only cash or checks are accepted. From left to right….2 scoops each. Italian Lemon Cookie with Coffee Hazelnut Crunch on the bottom. Both had very distinct flavors with bits and pieces of cookie and hazelnut crunch. Next was strawberry on top of vanilla. And last was Coffee Hazelnut Crunch on top of Pomegranate!! And, you know how ice cream prices take you to the poor house? The Creamery is very affordable!! Voted “Best of the Eastern Shore.”
We sat down to enjoy our delish sweet ending, overlooking one beautiful scenic town.
Oxford’s Picket Fences are Up!!
This is a fundraising event…Since 2009 picket fences have been painted by local artists. The fences are displayed around the town of Oxford; smaller ones are usually inside businesses and the larger ones are outdoors scattered through downtown. You can vote for them, but you will have to wait until the end of the summer when they will be auctioned off. Residents that have bought them in the past display them with pride.
Artists paint them and offer proceeds to a charity chosen by them. Please visit http://www.portofoxford.com, then click on Special Events. You will be able to see the picket fences for 2015. Here a few of them:
No Dogs Allowed – By Maggii Sarfati. Charity: Talbot Humane Society. You can find this fence at the Scottish Highland Creamery.
The next one is Forward and AFT by Sean Wells. Charity: Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. You can find this beautiful one at the Oxford-Bellevue Ferry Dock.
Land of Pleasant Living is a smaller picket fence painted by Bible Praire and Prayers Painters. Charity: Character Counts Mid Shore, Inc. You will find this one inside Benson & Mangold’s Window.
Have a great day!!
May 28th, 2015
Oxford is one of Maryland’s oldest towns. It was the first and only port-of-entry on the Eastern Shore mandated by the Maryland legislation back in 1694.
Oxford is such a charming town. Sailors, cyclists, kayakers enjoy the scenery and the peace emanating from this quaint town. It is picture perfect and streets are lined with beautifully manicured, elegant and historic homes, framing the banks of the Tred Avon River.
On the road for the day with my friends, the two Debbies, it only took us about an hour and a half from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Our destination was the historic Robert Morris Inn. It is 300 years old!! Located at 314 North Morris Street (Main St.). Tel. 410-226-5111. Websiste? http://www.robertmorrisinn.com. The Inn serves breakfast, lunch, afternoon teas (by reservation) and dinner. It is open year-round.
There are 14 historic bedrooms located on the second and third floors. Adjacent to the Inn they have the Bottle Cottage…..two modern, waterfront rooms.
On this day the temperatures were a little warm but the cool breezes kept us very comfortable. Oxford is very walkable. Park your car, cycles and just walk and enjoy the beautiful town.
Robert Morris was known as the “Financier of The Revolution”. He arrived in Oxford in 1738. President George Washington was a friend. A part of Robert Morris’ residence is incorporated in the Robert Morris Inn.
A little trivia? James Michener outlined his famous novel, Chesapeake, at the Inn.
The Robert Morris Inn has been enlarged several times since its time as a private home. The murals in the dining room were made from wallpaper samples used by manufacturers salesmen, 140 years ago.
The Tavern has a slate floor that came from Vermont. Timber beams, panelled walls and open fires.
This fireplace is from the 1800s and the spot for many to have their photos taken.
It was great to see my friend, Susan Campbell. She joined our small group for an outdoor lunch. Her family owns Campbell Boatyards with 3 locations in Oxford. They are a full service, high quality marine and boat building facility. Please visit http://www.campbellsboatyards.com.
We were looking forward to the offerings of Celebrity Chef, Mark Salter, of Scottish descent.
Spring Pea & Mint Soup with Crispy Shallots was served warm. It had the perfect consistency. The peas paired with mint…a pretty good combination of flavors. I think this soup could also be served chilled in the heat of summer.
The Grilled Asparagus Salad with Panko Crusted Goat Cheese, organic greens, toasted walnuts, dried fig chutney and a blackberry balsamic vinaigrette was a signature salad dish. Perfect for summer and for those trying hard to keep their girlie figures.
Chef Salter is Scottish…so, Fish n’ Chips is another signature dish offered at this time of the year. Battered Cod, buttered peas, remoulade and shoestring fries. It was awesome!! Not in the least greasy!! Light and perfectly seasoned.
An order of the Chicken Salad Sandwich….except no bread, so it became a Chicken Salad entree with lettuce, tomato, celery, red onion, dried cranberries, and toasted almonds. Homemade chips!!
Thanks for such great service and suggestions!!
Friends are the best, and sharing a meal with them is always priceless!! No dessert…..heading towards the Scottish Highland Creamery on Tilghman St.
Note: Some info. was taken from the Robert Morris Inn’s brochure.
September 2nd, 2011
Someone said that a blog is like a home. That it shows personality and passion. You know…all the things that decorate life. I could not have said it better myself because when I started this website which is written in a blog style, I wanted to make sure that it was honest, fun and from my heart. Sometimes I think I write too honestly, and others I can’t believe I wrote that on paper. But, hey, it is a diary of sorts.
During the past year some of us have met in Miami, others in Puerto Rico, Colorado, Philadelphia and just before hurricane Irene, in St. Michael’s, Maryland.
When I tell you I have not seen Tita in probably about 40 years, I am not kidding. It took her to visit St. Michael’s with her family and for me to drive over to reconnect. The funny part is that even after all those years, we just started talking like I had seen her the other day. Her family? Just as easy going.
I am supposed to be the one that knows the area, the ins and outs. Well, I got so lost. I even got lost in St. Michael’s. The town is so small, how could I? They knew their way around much better.
St. Michael’s looked good. It dates back to the mid 1600s. It was a trading post for area tobacco farmers and trappers. St. Michael’s is keeping its colonial past pretty much intact. Tourists love the town. It is so pretty and the streets are lined with trees and plenty of restaurants and shops. A longer visit will have to wait. This one was strictly for my friends. And they were hungry.
If you want to know more about St. Michael’s, please visit www.stmichaelsmd.org.
We stopped at The Crab Claw right in town. Some wanted lobsters; other fish. I just wanted them to try a blue crab.
The lobsters looked good. The crabs ordered were on the small side. A lesson on how to eat open a crab followed. The other dishes were okay.
The Crab Claw has been the place to go in St. Michael’s for years but I found it a bit too commercialized. It is located at 304 Burns St., St. Michael’s , MD 21663. No credit cards are taken; cash or check. Website? http://www.thecrabclaw.com.
Our next destination? Take the ferry over to Oxford, Maryland. You can drive it but it is more scenic and fun on the ferry. Tita and her family were looking at me skeptically. I am sure they were thinking, could she even get to the ferry?
And, they were wondering where it was. Then, almost in no time it was right in front of our eyes. This ferry is called the Bellevue-Oxford Ferry, and it is very small. It can fit more than a few cars, though. It only took about 10 minutes to cross the Tred Avon River. The view was gorgeous. It was such a pretty day and some sailboats were anchored at Port Oxford. This area is practically known as sailing capital.
The ferry was established in 1683 and it is the nation’s oldest privately operated ferry. More info? Please visit www.oxfordbellevueferry.com.
Arriving by ferry to Oxford is the way to go. You really get to appreciate the beauty of this quaint town that dates to 1694.
From The Treasure Chest in Oxford
It is the perfect get-away. And, you really are away from it all; nature, water, and beauty surrounds this historic town. Its residents want to keep the town the way it is; retaining its charm is on all residents minds. They even think that St. Michael’s is too big.
Walking around Oxford you could feel the wonderful breezes and enjoy its quietness. I am sure my friends were really feeling it because having come from San Juan, Puerto Rico, where noise is a way of life, this was a welcomed change and a haven from the hustle and bustle of that city.
We stopped at The Treasure Chest. This shop is located at 214 N. Morris St., Oxford, MD 21654. Tel 410-924-8817. You can find it on Facebood as The Treasure Chest in Oxford. It is a small shop; Susan is the shopkeeper.
Just like everyone you meet in Oxford, Susan is friendly and ready to tell you about Oxford. Her store has art by local artists, nautical gifts, tee shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, jewelry, hats, bags and souvenirs that promote the port of Oxford.
We bought a few things. You could not help it. You can find something for a friend, for your boat or just your own little indulgence.
In her storefront window, The Treasure Chest is keeping one of the 2011 Picket Fences called Don’t Fence Me In by Joanne Boughner/Sara Koch. These artists’ charity is CaringBridge.
Picket Fence "Don't Fence Me In" at The Treasure Chest
Early photos from the town of Oxford showed that there were picket fences gracing lawns around the mid 1800s. The town does not know who installed the first picket fence or who imagined its distinctive and exotic design, which is an onion dome with a center hole.
2011 marks the 3rd year for this popular event. Half of the profits from the picket fences will be donated to the favorite charity of the artist whose fence raises the most money at the Auction!! If you are interested in purchasing a fence but cannot attend, then, please visit www.portofoxford.com to find out how.
As you walk around the town you will be able to spot the fences. There are 18 in all.
It was hot and Susan sent us to the Scottish Highland Creamery (the Creamery) on 14 Tilghman St. Website? www.scottishhighlandcreamery.com. You can also find them on Facebook.
As we approched the Creamery, we heard a customer say “this is the friendliest ice cream store we have ever been”. It was true. Susan (different from the other Susan) was the owner.
One taste of the coffee and I was sold. It was delicious. That true coffee flavor with chips of dark chocolate. The Creamery also has sugar free and gluten free ice creams. All homemade using local ingredients, fresh milk, cream. We ate our ice creams in a most relaxed atmosphere; by the water with not a care in the world.
Soon we were back on the ferry again. I had to get back to Delaware. Seeing Tita was great. Friends are priceless!!
Note: Oxford’s 1st Nautical Festival and Flea Market will be Saturday, September 3rd from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Causeway Park. It is free and open to the public. Please, also note, that The Treasure Chest will have a table selling brand new Oxford t-shirts (short and long sleeves) and Oxford sweatshirts (crews and hoodies). The Treasure Chest will also be open at their location.
From The Treasure Chest, Oxford, Maryland
See you and have a good one!! Talk to you later…
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