Poconos – Baltimore – Washington

by Rod Burkert on November 7, 2009

Ty & Buster having breakfast in the car.

Ty & Buster having breakfast in the car. Let's go already!

It took about three hours to drive down to Baltimore.  If you have some extra time to spend in the city, we highly recommend two hidden gems.  The first is the Benjamin Banneker Historical Park in nearby Oella.  Encompassing 138 acres and containing extensive nature trails, the focus of this park is the museum highlighting the contributions of the first African American man of science. Well behaved, leashed pets are welcome on the grounds, but not in the buildings.

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We sauntered along the Main Nature Trail behind the visitor’s center to the Trolley Line No. 9 Trail and walked about 20 minutes into historic Oella.

The trolley line is wide and paved.

The trolley line trail is wide and paved ...

has a babbling brook just off the trail ...

has a babbling brook just off to the side ...

and benches to rest pooped paws.

and benches to rest pooped paws.

From the end of the trolley line we walked into Oella, the second gem.  The village grew from efforts to establish the first chartered textile business in Maryland.  For a brief period, Oella was home to the largest cotton mill in the US.  We took in this picturesque mill town’s industrial revolution architecture on a self-guided, two-mile walking tour.  We then grabbed a mid-afternoon snack at one of the Old Mill Bakery Cafe‘s pet friendly outdoor tables.

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What do you mean we can't have chocolate?

With our mid-day dog break completed, we jumped back in the car and headed to Washington, DC.  We’re staying at the Red Roof Inn at 4th & H Streets near the Chinatown Gate and a few short blocks from the Mall.


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