June 18th, 2014

Day Tripping, Easton, Maryland, Hunters’ Tavern, Tidewater Inn, Shopping, Marc Randall, Women’s Apparel, Accessories, Plein Air Easton Art Festival, Most Prestigious Juried Plein Air Painting Competition in the U.S., July 12 – 20, 2014, Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Talbot County

I called this post day tripping because that’s exactly what it was.  Driving to Easton from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, takes a little bit over an hour.  I take the back roads.  Easton is the jewel of Maryland’s Eastern Shore.  It is a very sophisticated town with much history.

My first stop was to have lunch with Louise and Powell at The Hunters’ Tavern inside the Tidewater Inn, located at 101 East Dover St., Easton, MD 21601.  This is a beautiful historic hotel; very centrally located.  Tel. 410-822-1300  Website?  http://www.tidewaterinn.com.

The Hunters’ Tavern has indoor and outdoor seatings.  Tel. 410-822-1300  Website? http://www.tidewaterinn.com/dine/hunters-tavern.  The restaurant is well aware of customers with a gluten allergy.  Check the website.

We started with the Snappy Turtle Soup.  This soup is tomato based.  It is totally delicious.  I have had it before, I have written about it before….and now I am doing it again.  Don’t forget to add plenty of Sherry.  And if you want to take some home, they have it to go, as well.  Just tell them how much you want.

We had 2 salads:  Nuts & Berries with mixed greens, strawberries, candied walnuts and Chapel Bay Bleu Cheese.  Light and refreshing.

The Bibb Salad had a champagne terragon vinegar dressing, and Chapel Bay Bleu Cheese.  It was accompanied by Blackened Ahi Tuna.  This was my salad and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

No dessert….time to hit the town.

SHOPPING:

Some time ago I saw a boutique called Marc Randall.  I wanted to check it out.  Easton has so many stores, but this particular one is different.  Women’s fun and fine apparel.  Unique handbags and jewelry.  The location is 3 Dover St.  Tel. 410-820-4077.  Website?  http://www.marcrandall.com.  The shop is shophisticated with cutting edge appeal.  Everything is different from the rest of the shops in Easton.

The Ket Sao collection of jewelry caught my attention….These pieces of jewelry are beautiful accents to your wardrobe for Summer 2014.  I loved the mixed metal and beaded jewelry.

You can read more about this jewelry by visiting http://www.chickboss.com.  This company is helping young Guatemalans and when you purchase a piece of jewelry, you are helping too.  The metals are sealed to retard the natural oxidation process.  You can clean it with a polishing cloth if needed.  Store it in a dry place.  That’s all the care you need.

Next time in Easton stop by and meet Marc.  He is very friendly.

PLEIN AIR EASTON ART FESTIVAL

This Art Festival is held every year in July.  It is the largest and most prestigious juried plein air painting competition in the U.S.  Instead of producing art in a studio, Plein Air Painters produce art from life.  There is representation from all over the U.S. and beyond.

Last year’s art sales totaled $325,000 with 313 paintings sold in two and a half days. Approximately, 6,000 to 8,000 people participate in the festival throughout the week.

You have ambition and $10…then you are in Plein Air Easton’s Quick Draw.  Plen Air Easton is at the center of the modern plein air movement.

More info?  Please visit http://www.pleinaireaston.com

Have a great day!!

January 1st, 2014

Hunters’ Tavern, Restaurant, Tidewater Inn, Hotel, Easton, 8th Best Small Town in America, Maryland, Talbot County, Maryland’s Eastern Shore…Happy New Year!!

My sister in law, Susie, and I decided to do something different on this first day of 2014….To meet in Easton, Maryland at the corner of Harrison St. and East Dover.  This is where the beautiful and historic Tidewater Inn is located.  The actual address is 101 East Dover St.  Tel. 410-822-1300.  Website?  http://www.tidewaterinn.com.  I drove from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, going through the backroads; leaving Sussex County behind and entering Caroline County and finally Talbot County.  It took about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

The Tidewater Inn is a landmark in Easton.  It was designated a Historic Hotel of America by The National Trust for Historic Preservation in 2006.  It has been owned by the Carl M. Freeman Companies.  The hotel is elegant.

At this time of the year we decided that eating indoors would be a must, but if the weather turns a little milder then outdoor seating is also available.

At the Hunters’ Tavern we got comfortable and we both had their amazing Snapper Soup.  It is awesome and it is served with Sherry.  Put as much or as little as you want.  It is so delicious I decided that there was no way I would be starting my diet on January 1st.

It was followed by a Caesar Salad with their signature crabcake.  And, rock fish fingers!!  Rock fish is local.

A sweet ending with Smith Island Cake…ready to walk the town, but not before I thank our server.  She was very friendly and attentive.

Easton has beautiful tree line streets, porches and old houses…Colonial and Victorian architecture.

It also has plenty of art galleries, gourmet restaurants, and gift shops.  The attraction to this town is also fishing, hunting, golfing and sailboat racing.

The Avalon Theatre offers entertainment…opera, blue grass, comedy.  It is located at 40 East Dover St.  For more information, please visit http://www.avalontheatre.com.

Easton is “the 8th Best Small Town in America”.  Maryland’s Eastern Shore is so scenic, so get in your car and spend the day or a few hours like we did.  For more information, please visit http://www.eastonmd.org.

Leaving Easton…going home, I passed the town of Bethlehem…