The Trail Less Traveled

Story and Photography by Michelle Brosco Christian

If you embark on one of the new Southern Maryland Trails some sunny weekend, it might be wise to keep in mind Robert Frost's famous poem "The Road Not Taken" in which he describes two roads one might take-the one less traveled making all the difference.

Whether you've grown up in Southern Maryland or if you've just grown fond of it, you will make surprising and worthwhile discoveries down the less traveled roads that often lead to art galleries, artists' studios, natural areas, farms, restaurants, and historic inns and B&Bs. Some of these finds will be familiar to you, while others might make you feel that you are the first to discover them.

Launched in fall 2005 by the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission, the Southern Maryland Trails are made up of one-of-a kind events, handmade art and food that's homegrown, and unique people that will provide you with interesting new experiences.

The trails are a network of partner sites published in an informative guidebook. Currently, two trails are arranged to make it easy for visitors to plan a "trail trip" for a day or a weekend and to encourage visitors from inside and outside Southern Maryland to explore the farm-based activities, original arts and local hospitality of the area.

Initially, the region's first two trails are based predominantly in Calvert and St. Mary's counties, but the trails will eventually encompass Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince Georges and St. Mary's. More trails will be added in spring and summer of 2006, with another major celebration planned for September of 2006. And, there are already a number of sites in Charles, Anne Arundel and Prince George's counties to visit.

"The Trails' emphasis is on quality and authenticity: things that are hand-made, locally grown and harvested," said Christine Bergmark, director of the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission, the organization that spearheaded the trails project.

The "Barnwood and Beach Glass Loop" begins in northern St. Mary's County at the North St. Mary's County Market in Charlotte Hall and the second stop takes the visitor to Forrest Hall Farm-a quintessential Southern Maryland farm complete with white fence, apple orchard, country store and more.

"We think it's such a good way for us to help broaden the agricultural knowledge and experiences of people living in or visiting our area," said Mary Wood, who, with her husband and family, runs Forrest Hall Farm. "We like people and we like having them visit our farm. We hope they will learn something and have fun doing it."

If you're lucky enough to meet Mary at "Avie's Place"-the farm's quaint store that sells in-season produce and crafts-she'll be more than happy to answer your questions. Mary is a wealth of information about the farm's long history, about how they design and cut their annual corn maze, or about a myriad of other farm-related details.

Toward the end of the loop, you'll definitely take the road less traveled to the home-based pottery studio of Sarah Houde (pronounced "Hood"). Make an appointment ahead of time to visit Sarah's studio and perhaps get a glimpse of her intense Raku pottery process, which involves removing pottery pieces blazing hot from the kiln.

"The trails concept is something I'd thought about for a long time; I'd been reading about artists' trails. I was enthusiastic about the idea from the beginning," said Sarah, who's marine-themed pottery is often inspired by the Chesapeake Bay and its inhabitants. "I just think it's a great idea to bring more people to artists' studios to see how and where they work."

The trails guidebooks can be found in area visitors' centers, libraries, at many partner sites, and at the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission, located in Hughesville. The books will also be made available by mail to tourists from outside the area.

New trails participant sites will regularly be added to the trails network. Those located in Southern Maryland may apply for inclusion based on trails criteria. A planned feature of the trails program is a collection of "packages" in which several partners will team up to offer a themed series of events to groups. For example, a weekend-long package may include a tour and wine-tasting at a local winery, a session in a potter's studio making a wine goblet, a stay at a local bed and breakfast, and a dinner featuring local wine at an area restaurant.

To find out more about the Trails, contact the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission, Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland, P. O. Box 745, Hughesville, MD 20637; phone: 301-274-1922; fax: 301-274-1924; cbergmark@tccsmd.org; Trails sites: www.somdtrails.com; Sarah Houde: www.sarahhoudepottery.com; Forrest Hall Farm: www.forresthallfarm.com