Reset search
2025 Local Tripping
  • ColdCruise
  • ColdCruise

2025 Local Tripping

Trying to get out and about n the Delmarva.
Hopefully, I’ll be I nspired by others on Finding Penguins and a woman at work who posts about interesting or oddball trips she makes in the area. Read more
FollowInsightsInsightsCalendarCalendarPhotosPhotosShareShareBucket list
InsightsCalendarPhotos
  • Trip start
    January 1, 2025
    ColdCruise2025 Local TrippingTraveler

    Miss Toya’s

    January 28, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 46 °F

    Met some friends here to catch up over dinner. The shrimp and grits were off the chart. Adding the restaurant to the approved list and plan to return for Valentine’s 💘 .

    They did a good job with decor and seating arrangements for a single-wide storefront.

    Too busy talking, forgot to take photos 🙀    Read more

  • ColdCruise2025 Local TrippingTraveler

    Picnic in the Grove of Trees

    March 9, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F

    We started our outing at the National Arboretum with a light picnic of purchased sandwiches under the trees. The best spot was in a protected area near the parking lot but was taken by a large group with children. The remaining tables were near the top of the bowl, or on exposed slopes. There, the trees were bare, the picnic tables in major need of replacement, and the wind sharp and cold. Needless to say, the picnic was brief.Read more

  • ColdCruise2025 Local TrippingTraveler

    Dogwood Grove & Anacostia River overlook

    March 9, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F

    This will be a nice point to look out over the Anacostia River once the dogwoods actually bloom. However, for this early warm spring day, the early spring bulbs were starting to put on a show. 🌼

    Daffodils, crocuses, snowdrops, grape hyacinths and camellias were poking their faces out in the sun to varying degrees.

    This was a nice day and we enjoyed being out in nature after about 2 months of majority temps in 20s & 30s — unfortunately those were Fahrenheit, not Celsius 🙁    Read more

  • ColdCruise2025 Local TrippingTraveler

    Camellias in the Asiatic Gardens

    March 9, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 57 °F

    There were several camellia trees in bloom scattered around the Asiatic Gardens. Most of the blooms were in the red family and at the higher elevations in this area near the Anacostia.

    There were also a (very) few dogwoods starting to bloom, some star magnolias near the roadways, and a couple other early blooming trees.

    With reports of the Japanese cherry 🍒 trees in bloom near the basin, we’d hoped to see those at the Arboretum but alas, it was too early. Hope to be back in a week or two and catch them in bloom. The staff had already put out the signs for the self-guided cherry tree trail, so we found some cheery cherry trees … just not in bloom. 🍒 🌳    Read more

  • ColdCruise2025 Local TrippingTraveler

    Bonsai Museum

    March 9, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F

    Our final stop of the trip was at the Bonsai Museum, Staff told us they’d just finished moving the trees into the outside exhibit spaces.

    Besides the promise of cherry blossoms, we were also drawn to the temporary exhibit in the Bonsai Museum. It was a combination of story boards and journal drawings. However, we spent too much time in the Asiatic Gardens and had to really rush through the exhibit. Another reason for a quick return?Read more

  • ColdCruise2025 Local TrippingTraveler
    Local tradition....
    Parading a youngster around the hallOne of the food standsGerman charcuterie (different stand)Hubert spritz

    German Fest in Timonium

    July 12, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 88 °F

    Attended the annual German festival at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium. It was contained in 1 building. Music was ok, shuhplatter dancers (might be misspelled) were fun to watch.

    Several food vendors and stands selling different, mostly German themed, items lined the walls and were down about half of the middle. I thought most were selling schmuck (not food) so we ate at the large stand on the short end. We got brats. Would recommend not choosing that and focus on the smaller stands along the back wall - more variety and interesting options. Good assortment of beer and lesser selection of wines than expected, given Germany’s wine tradition.Read more

  • ColdCruise2025 Local TrippingTraveler

    Joan Jett & the Blackhearts

    August 22, 2025 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 72 °F

    Lovely evening at Merriweather Post. The temps came down from the 90s for just the second time since June and we had perfect outdoor concert weather!

    What better way to spend a Friday evening than sitting on the lawn listening to Joan Jett and the Blackhearts? (Or really any good band) This was such a blast from the past!

    Good music, good vibes a good Orange Crush made for a good time with my honey.

    All the better since stinky foot (on the blanket next to me) hadn’t taken off his shoes yet 🤣🤣😮    Read more

  • ColdCruise2025 Local TrippingTraveler

    Billy Idol

    August 22, 2025 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 68 °F

    And the “headline act”
    70 year old Billy Idol really brought his game tonight. Lots of energy. Good vocals. Killer guitar by Steve Stevens.
    Crowd was good (except for stinky foot next to me who shed his shoes and danced in his stinky socks 😤 🤣 and someone smoking a stinky)Read more

  • ColdCruise2025 Local TrippingTraveler

    London Town & Gardens

    October 3, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    A visit to colonial era London Town, south of Annapolis, has been on my radar a few yard. Just didn’t make the effort to get there. Today we made it happen.

    Strolled through the woodland garden…

  • ColdCruise2025 Local TrippingTraveler

    London Town Sound Garden

    October 3, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    There was a cool “sound garden “ at the edge of the woodland trail. It featured several cool metal installations that made melodic sounds drums, 3 xylophones, flowers, etc. Very cool, especially for youngsters, but we played with the various sounds (big kids 😜)Read more

  • ColdCruise2025 Local TrippingTraveler
    Carpenter building showing atypical "M" roof
    Inside the carpenter's buildingTenement House with Barn

    London Town Colonial aspect

    October 3, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    Checked out the handful of replicas of typical buildings. These were recreated based on archeological findings from excavations and using historical documents.
    A carpenter shop
    A Tenement building - typical for poorer, middle class and the less wealthy.
    A barn
    A garden showing examples if food plants that were typical    Read more

  • ColdCruise2025 Local TrippingTraveler

    Home, Tavern and ….

    October 3, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    The majestic William Brown house has been in this location for about 300 years.
    During colonial days it was the most prominent house in the 100 acres that comprised London Town. It was used as a private residence, tavern and other functions through the years. What I found most astonishing is that it was used as an almshouse (poor house) in the 1900s despite lacking modern features. Its last use was to house poor elderly people as recently as 1965!
    Astonishing! Apparently they were housed in horrible conditions (per story board)    Read more

  • ColdCruise2025 Local TrippingTraveler

    South River views

    October 3, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    The whole site was overlooking the South River. The water views from the woodland paths were intermittent due foliage. The best views (least obstructed) were from the “big house” and an area that was prepping for a wedding, so we stayed away.

    The pier is situated where archeologists believe Transatlantic ships docked.

    Back in the day this was a busy port for colonial trading ships. Trade was in both goods and humans.

    Apparently a lot of indentured English people arrived in the colonies here, both those who willingly indentured themselves for varying periods as well as convicts who were sentenced to 7 or 14 years of indentured servitude.

    And then the darker side of transatlantic trade - enslaved Africans were traded here as well. The site has several story boards providing examples of their lives.    Read more

  • ColdCruise2025 Local TrippingTraveler

    Marsh at Jug Bay Wetlands

    October 17, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    We were driving towards home and decided to stop somewhere for a walk. I remembered there was a park on the farm where a friend used to board her horse. We decided to go there but that park was closed due to deer culling.

    Jug Bay Wetlands Park was adjacent to, so we drove a bit down the road and turned in.

    Late afternoon we were I a bit of a time crunch as the park closed about an hour after our arrival. $6 parking fee, payable at the Visitors Center, discounts available.

    Nice location for a stroll - looks like the wooden stairs leading to the marsh as well as the boardwalk along/over the edge have been recently replaced or rebuilt with ew wood.

    Due to being a bit rushed, we didn’t really have time to pause and wait for wildlife. Very serene though, we should return!    Read more

  • ColdCruise2025 Local TrippingTraveler
    Deer exclusion area to protect native reforestation effortsPath through meadow adjacent to parking area

    Jug Bay Wetlands Forest

    October 17, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    After returning from the marsh area, we used the trail map to select a series it marked trail segment to maximize our walk and return to our car before the staff closed up.

    The trail paths are well marked and the ones covered were wide enough for 3-4 abreast. Marking consisted of trail signs & paint blazes all in conspicuous places. I’d think it would be hard to get lost ☺️

    Again trails were pretty clear, there were mostly newer wooden stairs for any significant elevation changes. I guess that does keep people from making a track up and down the small “hills” as I’ve seen those get pretty eroded in other parks.

    Park & trails are definitely well maintained!

    No wildlife sightings but they’re probably smart enough to wait until the humans leave at 5 and then they safely have the run of the park. Plus the nearby deer culling could also have the animals lying low. Hunting has to end 30 minutes after dusk, if I recall.    Read more

  • ColdCruise2025 Local TrippingTraveler
    Park History
    One of the old farm implements along the pathsDead but interesting treeCould not match this bush...what IS it?Typical path conditions

    Quiet Waters Park - Green Trail

    October 18, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F

    Nice park on the south end of Annapolis. Several well marked paths or trails, picnic pavilions, and a concert stage & amphitheater, there were random art installations and old farm implements along the path for interest.

    We had some business in Annapolis, so when we finished we decided we had time for a walk in nature. This is a nice well maintained park. The paths we walked were a combination of asphalt and dirt, mostly paved.    Read more

  • ColdCruise2025 Local TrippingTraveler
    Gated dog beach
    Dogs rule in this coveFishing along the pathView of South River from dog beach

    Quiet Waters Park - Dog Play Areas

    October 18, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F

    In addition to people areas, there are a couple fenced dog parks (segregating small and big dogs) and a nice sized fenced beach area so your thick-furred dogs can get all wet for the ride home 😂

    Dogs are very welcome in this park. Probably 25% or more of the people groups were accompanied by their 4-legged family members, sometimes even a brace. Walkers, runners, strollers, bikers…. Dogsled!    Read more

  • ColdCruise2025 Local TrippingTraveler

    Station 7 Trail of Terror

    November 1, 2025 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 50 °F

    This was exceptionally well done by the supporters of Davidsonville Volunteer Fire Station 7. The trail through the woods was about a mile long with all sorts of frightful designs inhabited by ghouls goblins and scary people.

    Photography was restricted to the entrance area or waiting zone, which was well done to get you in the mood for the horrors to come.

    They sent groups through every few minutes so they were spaced out and each group’s experience wasn’t diminished by seeing the group a head of it get whacked by the ghouls. Each group was people who knew each other, ie our group was just us and the friends we came with. This was way more better than several other such fright events we’ve experienced.

    It was a lot of fun for a reasonable $20 or $25 that supported the VFD. I’d return in future years.

    In preparation for the frightening evening we fortified ourselves at a nearby Mexican eatery with heavy carbs and margaritas. 🪇🪇🍹🌮    Read more

  • ColdCruise2025 Local TrippingTraveler
    A bit of history about Annapolis' ancient water system

    Brunch, history and health

    November 8, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    Brunch
    Went to brunch at Miss Shirley’s. Ordered shrimp n grits, then when they arrived, I remembered ordering the same dish before and what a disappointment it was … then and now.

    Miss Shirley’s used to serve a nice, traditional bowl of cheese grits with shrimp in the iconic “ gravy” topped with crumbled bacon.

    Now they serve a deconstructed version, which is served on green fried tomatoes - 3 sliced of tomato topped with a dollop of dry grits and a decorative shrimp. looks more like a large canapé then shrimp and grits. I was sorely tempted to send it back but could truthfully only blame myself for not remembering how a classic southern brunch dish was turned into an abomination. Should have taken a photo to remind my future self.

    History
    OTOH, as we returned to the parking garage, we were delighted to see a vintage motorcycle with sidecar. (Pictured)

    The city has added an information board about the history of Annapolis’ water system. No doubt it was cutting edge in its time (1842), but unfathomable the city is still using some of that 1849s infrastructure in 2025. Reminded me of the pensioners home that the city used up into the 1960s, in an unmodernized colonial era house in Londontowne (Oct visit).

    Health
    We left Annapolis and drove over to the community college for a wholistic health fair. Tickets on Event Brite at a nominal cost. Interesting presentation on communicating with your pets. Probably around 50 exhibitors. Worthwhile. (No photos)    Read more

  • ColdCruise2025 Local TrippingTraveler

    B&O Path & a bit more history

    November 8, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    Decided to go for a short walk after the health fair. Went to the nearby section of the B&A Trail - nice multi-modal paved path on the defunct Baltimore & Annapolis Railroad right of way. Beautiful day for a stroll.

    Lots of good information panels about fortifications and connectivity    Read more

  • ColdCruise2025 Local TrippingTraveler
    Male alpaca basing in the sunHerd of female alpacasThe Alpaca shop

    Alpaca Time

    November 29, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 43 °F

    Visited a small Alpaca farm that has an open house a couple times a year. Very nice owner, retired from the military, opens her farm with tours, smores and a little shop that sells a variety of alpaca yarn and fleece creations. They have alpaca in various states of creation from skeins of alpaca yarn from their own fleece, scarves, cowls and other items made from their fleece to some really nice sweaters, shawls and blankets imported from Peru and Ecuador. For alpaca garments the prices are reasonable.

    During the tours you can pet and feed the alpacas. They range in ages from 1.5 to 15 years. 15 males are 29 females.    Read more

  • ColdCruise2025 Local TrippingTraveler

    Two Lions Winery

    November 29, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 43 °F

    A few miles from the Alpaca Farm puts you on a small wine trail. Two Lions is the first winery encountered. Ran out of daylight today, but will try to visit the other wineries in this area later (3-4 others according to the staff).

    Two Lions offer wines by the bottle ($38-52), glass ($13-16) and flight ($18-25). There were 5 flights offered,,3 samples per flight, 2 of whites and 3 red flights. The whites must be more popular as both white flights had 1 of the listed wines sold out (you could sub a different wine to fill the gap. Overall they make more reds.

    We ordered a couple of their red flights. All were light-bodied so could be pleasing to a lot of people. I felt the pours were a bit short for the price (3 samples for $25). The wines were pleasant, the tasting room spacious with nice unobtrusive decor.

    The highlight was the staff - a great team of women with varying backgrounds who work here on weekends. We were lucky as the winery closes for winter in 2 weeks (mid-Dec till March), this allows time for the owner/winemakers to focus on preparing the next releases after the holiday.    Read more

  • Trip end
    August 27, 2025
  • 2026© FindPenguins
  • Home
  • About us
  • Group Tracking
  • Press
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy & Cookies
  • Help Center
  • Legal notice