Outdoors Mid-Atlantic

Enjoy exploring the outdoors in the mid-Atlantic region!  Whether you go by foot, bike, canoe, or car, you'll have lots of fun and see fantastic views. The featured books below are available from the library system.

The Potomac River is full of history and adventure.  In The Potomac River:A History and Guide by Garrett Peck, take a journey on the river starting in West Virginia and finishing in the Chesapeake Bay. Along the way, discover how the Potomac played an important part in the region's history and the sights you can visit today. Of interest, check out The Potomac by Frederick Gutheim, a classic history about the river originally published in 1949.

If you like speeding on a bike, head to the mountains! In Mountain Biking the Washington, D.C./Baltimore Area by Martin Fernandez and Scott Adams, discover great biking trails in Maryland, D.C., and northern Virginia. Whatever route you take, you will enjoy wonderful natural sights and discover local points of interest. You'll also get tips about mountain biking, safety, and trip preparation. Full color illustrations and photos accompany the text.

The Mid-Atlantic region was the setting for many key events and battles during the Civil War. Take a road trip into the past in Civil War Road Trip, Volume 1: A Guide to Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania 1861-1863 by Michael Weeks. Whether you have a half day, a week, or longer, you can pick what sites that interest you most and to plan your itinerary. Wherever you go, you will learn a lot from your visit! Local information about battlefields and short biographies of the military commanders are included. Maps and photos of Civil War landmarks accompany the text. By the same author, Civil War Trip, Volume 2, focuses on Maryland and Virginia from 1863-1865.

Hop into a kayak and enjoy the water!  In Paddling Maryland and Washington, DC by Jeff Lowman, discover the waterways of Maryland and D.C. Suggested itineraries include Annapolis, Baltimore, and Maryland's Eastern Shore.  In D.C., you can paddle along the Anacostia River and in the Washington Channel. You'll also get boating tips, water safety, local information, and more.  Full color maps and photos accompany the text.

Interested in a backpacking trip?  In AMC's Best Backpacking in the Mid-Atlantic by Michael Martin, take your pick of trails from Virginia to New York. You can also include camping, swimming, and fishing on your trip.  Incredible natural landscapes await you! Tips on backpacking, local information, and a seasonal planner are included.  Maps and illustration of the trails accompany the text.