On the Western Shore

As September rolled in, it was time to ponder Fall destinations and point south from the Northeast before seasonal weather brought too cool temps. Usually, I would have a few destinations in mind that I’m curious to see or considering for home base.
     This year, my mind was nearly a blank slate. One town, Boone, North Carolina, was a consideration, though I haven’t seen many affordable home possibilities. I tossed the idea around but visiting this one small town meant creating an itinerary all the way south once again. Honestly, I’m feeling “been there, done that” with most of the Carolinas and Georgia. So, I put Boone on the Spring list then booked an Auto Train ticket south from Virginia for late Fall.
     Yesterday, I read a local news headline stating, “Residents of Boone say it could take weeks, months, or years before they fully recover from Hurricane Helene.” Was my decision just luck? I don’t believe in it. Do I have guardian angels watching over me? Most likely. Is my karma really good? Obviously. Will I be forever grateful that my path took me to Maryland and Virginia? Absolutely.
     I’m thankfully staying in Mechanicsville with most days spent in nearby Charlotte Hall. Bordered by the Wicomico River, the Western Shore of Maryland is yet another area of my former state that is new to me. "Mechanicsville Village" was established in 1850 on the Three Notch Trail, and was a center for blacksmiths and other craftsmen, with the word "mechanic" referring to skilled tradespeople. Education practices and development in Pennsylvania brought Amish and Mennonite communities to the area in the 1940s. 
     What brought me to this particular spot? The 11-mile Three Notch Trail, a multi-use trail in progress to follow the 28-mile county railroad right-of-way parallel to the road. The name is attributed to a 1704 law that “three notches of equal distance shall be marked on trees to indicate a road leading to a ferry”.

It’s been a fairly interesting stay for a month with a woman who has spent her life here. The neighborhood, Country Acres, has homes with an acre or more so it’s quite peaceful, walkable and kind of hilly to bike. It’s interesting living in this environment as I find the distance from neighbors enjoyable, but the village centers have gone by the wayside.
     Unfortunately, the main routes surrounding the neighborhoods are too busy to bike and the distance too far to walk, so there is very little you can do without getting in your car. There’s commuter transit but no local service. Pretty much I have been in my car 6 out of 7 days a week in order to ride the Trail, use the Library, visit a County park, or shake my head at the Food Lion.
     It’s yet another perspective of a lifestyle that seems so appealing for so many reasons except the car dependence. Trust me, when I’m 80, you don’t want me behind the wheel of my Honda Element.