A quaint little college town, Shepherdstown, WV, is part of the ring of Civil War history centered around Harpers Ferry, WV, and the Maryland towns of Boonsboro, South Mountain, Antietam (Sharpsburg), Frederick and on up to Gettysburg, Pa. Throughout the area are great campgrounds and walking trails, including the famous Appalachian trail and the towpath of the C & O canal system built in 1828. There is a lot to experience in this area and it is beautiful all year around, but especially in the fall with the turn of the leaves. The adventures Chris and I experience in this area never grow old and we often visit Shepherdstown as kind of a “date” day away from home, but there are some challenges.
We decided to go to Shepherdstown for lunch one day at this really nice French bistro. It was a beautiful autumn day and we hopped on our scooter for the 10-mile adventure. It was such nice weather, we discussed whether we should wear our regular protective jackets, but decided against going unprotected. Safety first, always. Our favorite restaurant in Shepherdstown is Bistro 112. The theme is French and the bistro is an 18th Century row house turned restaurant. A great throwback atmosphere. Chris and I, however, like to sit outside in the very picturesque garden area where tables are situated in private areas on old rock patios among trees and shrubbery. There is a brick outhouse turned server pantry.
Another attraction for Shepherdstown is the towpath along the Potomac River. It stretches 184 miles from Washington, DC to Cumberland, Md and you can ride horses, your bicycle or walk the entire stretch of it. Chris, many of our friends and I have ridden the section between Harpers Ferry and Shepherdstown. It’s about 10 miles one way. In late October, the leaves are generally in full color and starting to fall. The towpath is lined with beautiful sycamore trees, some are probably more than 150 years old. We parked in a nearby parking lot and started a hike down the towpath, but after about a mile, Service Dog Charlie had had enough and kept turning around and wanting to go back. I don’t really think nearly being attacked by somebody’s bull dog, who was not on a leash, had anything to do with it. After all, the owner apologized.
The one thing you have to watch out for when visiting Shepherdstown is the parking. Every space has a meter. Twenty-five cents for half an hour. And if you are a minute late, you will get a $10 ticket ($30 if not paid in 24 hrs). They have this meter man that hides between the buildings on his Segway. Chris and I believe he knows exactly when your meter will run out and times his ticket-writing perfectly. When we left the bistro, we ran into our waitress who was running back from plugging the meter. She confirmed our suspicions. Big Brother Segway was on the prowl. Fortunately, we got back to our scooter in time. We have had to pay the fine three times previously. No mercy, despite my protests with the mayor, who has invited me numerous times to come visit with him because he doesn’t get many visitors.
