A desolate St. George Island beach on a wind-whipped winter day on the Potomac River
The best thing about being home in Piney Point is that I am likely far away from my clients, and thus away from work. So every day, weather permitting, begins or ends with a walk somewhere.
There are limited options. My standard is a hike to the Piney Point Lighthouse. That takes me past a long row of noble houses, all having sandy beaches and great views of the mighty Potomac River. Neighbors generally say hello and don’t seem to mind if you walk on their private beaches. In fact, in the summer I’ve been offered a beer. Of course it would be rude to intrude on a private social gathering, so sticking to the road is my standard course to the lighthouse.
My second choice would be a trek to St. George Island. Tourists who arrive to the island are likely disappointed, as there is little public space. Fortunately there is one restaurant on the island, called The Island Bar & Crab House. I can’t say the food is all that great, as much on the menu is deep-fried seafood.
Yet I don’t come home to eat out; I come to relieve stress and take care of chores, and hiking is about as good a stress reliever as there is. Relative to much of California, Piney Point and St. George Island are pretty boring places.
But settlers have been living since the 1600’s, and Native Americans roamed this island for centuries.
This island was the site of the first battle in Maryland during the Revolutionary War. Yet as the island floods every decade or so, it’s hard to find any evidence of that.
Occupants of these two graves have been dead and buried here for about a hundred years. Husband and wife? It seems they did not live long lives, and their graves stones are about as humble as one could find. Yet their grave stones have survived a century without being washed away. Likely, many caretakers over the decades have helped.
Life is simple here. Waterman have lived here for generations. Visitors come disappointed. St. George Island is simply a place near my home to clear my mind and get my daily exercise. I generally feel great after a walk on the island, in spite of all the old graves!
