9 Crisfield
Crisfield is a true
working water town,
where the livelihood
of residents is tied to
harvesting Chesapeake
Bay. Catch the local
watermen at their
favorite hangout, having
4am coffee at Gordon’s
Confectionary (831 W Main
St) before shipping off to
check and set traps. Or
just drop in to Gordon’s
for some scrapple (a local
specialty – it’s pig...bits)
before sunset. There will
usually be a waterman
hanging around willing
to bend your ear with a
story.
For a more
formal education on
watermen, head to
the J Millard Tawes
Historical Museum
(%410-968-2501; http://www.
crisfieldheritagefoundation.
org/museum; 3 Ninth St; adult/
child $3/1; h10am-4pm
Mon-Sat), which gives an
insight into the ecology
of the Bay and the life
of working watermen.
Local docents also
lead walking tours of
Crisfield. End your trip
on the Crisfield docks, by
the old crab-shelling and
packing plants, and let
the salt breeze move you
while you’re in a most
maritime spot, in the
most maritime of states.TREVOR CLARK/GETTY IMAGES ©WASHINGTON.DC,.MARYLAND.&.DELAWARE.TRIPS.17
(^) MARITIME MARYLAND