Department of Tourism

Have you ever called your county's department of tourism? It never occurred to me until yesterday, when I wanted to plan a hike with my sisters and niece. When I called the department, a receptionist told me about a trail built on the original B&O RR roadbed, plus he clued me in about parking options, historical sites, and the terrain. This is a resource that I will use again!

Armed with sunscreen, water, and those delicious Nature Valley peanut bars, we set out with enthusiasm! 

After hiking down to the Patapsco River,

we splashed around,

crossed a metal suspension bridge,

and finally arrived at a roaring dam.

I could sense a calmness--almost a reverence--as the children sat on the riverbank

or stared up at the treetops.

What a beautiful, sacred earth we have. 

After we came home the boys stripped themselves of calmness, put on capes, and requested pictures of themselves jumping off the ottoman. Yes.

Here's Jacob,

Zachary,

and a double!

What kids! I guess they can't always be calm, but they can entertain themselves for hours, without as much as a single phone call to a county office.