Derived From the Algonkin Indian word "Chesepiook" -- the "great shellfish bay" -- the Chesapeake Bay is one of the richest estuaries in the world. It is also the largest bay in the United States, a beautiful natural area that offers scores of rivers and coves, picturesque fishing villages and small boat harbors, hundreds of miles of canoeable rivers, and a wide variety of outdoor activities.
The historical significance of the Chesapeake Bay area is also legendary. This is the country of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison. Here are some of the best-known historic towns in America, including Jamestown -- where the first permanent English colony was established in 1607, and Yorktown -- site of the last battle of the Revolutionary War.
An indispensable guide for residents and visitors alike, Adventuring in the Chesapeake Bay Area blends the rich cultural heritage of the region with its myriad opportunities for outdoor adventure, covering:
-- A wide spectrum of outdoor activities: beachcombing, birdwatching, boating, waterskiing, swimming, bicycling, hiking, camping, and fishing and touring excursions on the bay itself
-- Sight-seeing in and around Washington, D.C., Annapolis, and Baltimore, Maryland
-- National and state parks, National Wildlife Refuges, and a section on exploring Smith and Tangier islands
-- Revolutionary and Civil War battlegrounds, including Manassas (Bull Run) -- site of the first major battle of the Civil War -- and many historical homes, museums, monuments, and National Historical Parks
-- Celebrations and festivals, including the two-day annual oyster festival in Virginia
-- Six valuable appendices, with essays on weather and habitat, a complete bird list, and a resource directory for outdoor excursions, historical sites, and museums
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
