Maryland: You're Welcome

While I wasn't ready to leave the woods, I was quite happy to arrive to a comfortable space in a quiet North End neighborhood of Hagerstown. Following an interesting 5-hour chat with my host, the entire townhouse became mine for the next few days. I easily maneuvered a bike route to pedal about town, but on my second day returned to find the license plates on my car had been stolen. It was a Saturday so that dampened my entire weekend with worry of how I was going to move on Tuesday morning and a dozen other "what ifs".  So, suffice to say that my welcome to Maryland was not what it could have been and my interest in Hagerstown waned. Come Monday morning, the MVA did surpass my expectations -- new plates & registration in less than an hour -- so I could carry on my merry way. Yet, I'm saddened at the loss as my original Maryland plates would have turned 20 next Spring. I was somehow attached to that "Treasure the Chesapeake" tagline. 

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As the universe would have it, my next stop was Frederick to the same townhouse I'd enjoyed this past spring.  After the theft stress, this was a comfortable transition, and I hopped on two wheels and picnicked in the neighborhood park before checking in. The greatest surprise was a visit with an Eastern Shore friend, Karen, to reconnect face-to-face. It was a most delightful day to walk, talk, eat, repeat.  I'm both stunned and grateful when people reach out. 

The week began as Summer and now storms are passing through with Fall temps, but I'm now rested and ready to head into northern Virginia for a month with a new spot to explore.    

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