Chestertown Walkabout.

It's been a couple weeks since the Sultana down rigging weekend.  I finally got a chance to edit the pix I promised from our walk around Chestertown itself.  Here's part of what we saw that day.

After parking the wagon we stopped here for coffee and scones.  Quite tasty.  Note the details in the fascia to the right of the sign.  Fishhooks or anchors?  You decide.

An autumn themed window display at Evergrain's

Probably not for the gluten intolerant.  I, on the other hand, have never met a warm crusty loaf I didn't like.

Chestertown is a pleasant small town which, as its name implies, rests along the north bank of the Chester River, on Maryland's "eastern shore".  You can read about the town's history here and here.

Although there were a few boats on the hard, there were still lots of boats in the water as of Halloween.

Now this is my idea of a "townhouse".

The old Customs House dates to pre-revolutionary times.  The building is now part of Washington College.

Wall art in the commercial district of town.

I liked this long brick pavement, mirrored by the long brick garden walk.

The houses abound with many interesting details.

Not much breeze was stirring on this sunny late October day.  The Washington College flag in the foreground with the Maryland state flag in the background.  Maryland's flag is based on the Calvert and Crossland family's coats of arms.  Calvert was the family name for the Lords Baltimore who founded the colony of Maryland.  Crossland was the family name of the mother of George Calvert, the first Lord Baltimore. The Calvert's colors were black and yellow, the Crossland's were red and white.

An attractively detailed front porch.

I'm attracted to weather vanes.  I can't say why.  Probably for the same reasons I'm attracted to lighthouses.  I just like them.

Zooming in on the rooster.  This could almost be France.

A walkway along the river brings one to the Lelia Hynson Pavilion.

This structure overlooks the river and Washington College's small boat facility.  The College has fleets of 420s and rowing shells.

Autumn leaves.

A view over the roof tops.

A nice Indian corn door wreath.

A narrow little house.  What goes on behind the black door?

Another stately townhouse.

Note the Flemish bond brickwork in the wall of this old Tavern.

I don't know what plant this is.  Can anyone enlighten me?

There are many entertaining shop windows to look at.

Here's one.  Yes, well, it is Halloween.

In the late afternoon some clouds rolled in as the harbinger of the next day's predicted cold blowy rain.  But for the remains of this day, the clouds just made the fall colors of the trees stand out a bit better.

I've tried to sprout magnolia seeds several times but so far without success.

The town fountain decked out for the evening's  festivities.

Late day sun on a church bell tower.

Another interesting shop window; this one with a nautical theme.

Zooming in on the fids, awls, mallets, tarred twine and other paraphernalia of marlinspike seamanship.

 Ditty bag, Noun.  1. A sailor's small bag to hold thread, needles, tape, etc. sometimes called a "housewife".  2. A little case or bag for materials used in sewing, and for other articles of female work; also called a "hussy".

The day grew late.  We started seeing bands of children in costumes making the rounds for trick or treat candy.  That was our sign to head back to the western shore before the hobglobins came out.  Chestertown is but one of many interesting small towns on Maryland's eastern shore.  Visit if you get a chance.