Tour de Garrett

Type: Nontidal
Region: Western
Location: Garrett County

Today was another day on the road visiting Award Centers in Allegany and Garrett Counties. It never fails to impress me how much the climate changes when you cross Savage Mountain; as soon as I began to come over the crest there before me was the last vestiges of a winter�s snow, covering the shaded north slopes. This was the first snow this flatlander from the eastern shore has seen since early February. Traveling down Route 219 I came upon this roadside historic sign that noted the Bear Creek Trout Hatchery; one of our oldest and still functioning hatcheries. At Deep Creek Lake the lake seemed to be hanging in a sort of limbo; stuck between hard ice and open water. Although most of the lake still was covered with rotten ice, the edges were open. At the Wisp ski slopes a few die-hard skiers were trying to make the last runs of the season; but it seemed to look more like ice skating to me.

I have always been intrigued with early American history and especially the Revolutionary War and the war of 1812 due to the fact that I grew up near several battle sites. Today I discovered this roadside sign above Deep Creek Lake in the town of McHenry and found it most interesting to find out how Fort McHenry in Baltimore got its name. Next year our nation will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the epic bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British during the War of 1812 that inspired composing of our national anthem.