Hike 4 of 52

September 4, 2017

Hike: Turkey Point Lighthouse Trail
Location: Elk Neck State Park, Northeast, MD
Distance: 1.9 miles
Elevation: Unknown

Saw my first lighthouse today! It was a small one, but it still is one!!

Since we didn’t get the chance to hike this trail yesterday, Sam promised we’d roadtrip back to see it today (labor day). So we got up, drank coffee/tea, loaded my car and grabbed Rue before hitting the road. We made a quick detor to WaWa for some bfast bagels and trail snacks. Then an hourish later we pulled back up to the trailhead where we were met by the park ranger. Again, the parking lot was full, however this time we were second in line for the waiting “lot” aka just cars pulled over. We waited about 40minutes, booted up, and went for the trail.

This trail, compared to yesterdays narrow, overgrown, low trafficked trail, was well maintained and wide with gravel. It is also handicap accessible. The start of the trail is well shaded, however after about 10minutes you are in the sun and it was hot (I forgot sunblock ugh). We played cat-and-mouse with a large group of tourists- lots of chitlits (kids), some elders and just very obnoxious.

We made it to the lighthouse, after both Sam and I used the port-o-pottyies (3hours + starbucks+water=peeeeee).

When the trail opens, you get a full view of the lighthouse (LH) and the Chesapeake Bay beyond it. It’s a small LH but it makes for a beautiful landscape. There wasn’t much shade and it was hot and the tourist group took over the entire LH area so we escaped under a pear tree in the middle of a field, had some water and gave Rue some treats.

After about 15minutes of hanging out under the tree, we decided we’d just ask the folks to move so we could take a group pic…they didn’t. Two of the elderly women literally sat against the LH in the shade in the way of a full lanscape shot with the Bay behind. Ugh. We asked a boy to take our pic with my camera…he tried. At least he got one good one – and we stood to block the women lounging.

Afterwards, we headed back the same way we came in. Got in the car and made a detour at Rogue’s Harbor to let Rue swim. It was her first time near a large body of water, on a shoreline, with waves. She was too funny. She barked at the waves, and chomped at them, jumping when they rolled in. She finally became brave and fetched sticks and swam with two furry friends we met. She loved it!

It was a nice, short 1.9mile hike for my 4th hike of the 52hikechallenge.

Until next time,