It's almost the weekend, it's beautiful out, and at least in my house, it's time to start thinking about where we want to go this spring/summer to get away for day trips or long weekends. There are the usual places, like Chincoteague and St. Michaels, but I am fortunate that my job at The Sun has taken me to several far-flung places along both sides of the Bay Bridge. They are, for the most part, places I never would have found had I not been assigned to go there. I'd like to share some with you, and I'm hoping in return you'll tell me where are some of your favorite places to visit. Unless otherwise noted, they're all in Maryland. Here goes, in no particular order:
     
1. RIDGE:  Hop on a bicycle and ride through the beautiful green fields of this Southern Maryland town. There's not much in Ridge, or nearby Scotland, but you're near Point Lookout State Park and a great little marina/biker bar where they'll serve you fish that tastes like it was caught right in front of you. Reasonable B and Bs, not many tourists-the place we stayed was probably the nicest B and B I've ever been to, and I think it was only like $110 a night. 
     
2. WHITEHAVEN: My dental hygienist grew up in this Wicomico County hamlet and confirms it's every bit as serene as it looks. It's the sort of place where you can imagine a one-room schoolhouse and kids in dresses with little bows tied in back running through the fields. There's a ferry that goes across the river to Somerset County; watching it and the birds are what passes for entertainment. There's a nice hotel here, The Whitehaven, but I stayed at the B and B where, bonus, the owners give their guests cordials before bed. Also, it's so homey I ended up listening to her son's piano lesson as I typed my story-that was the only place with an Internet connection.
     
3. ROCK HALL: Everybody and their shopping-happy aunts seems to have found Chestertown, and I won't dis it. It's one of the most beautiful towns on the shore, or anywhere for that matter. But Rock Hall has the watermen and Eastern Neck Wildlife Refuge. If you're going to one, it's worth a trip to the other.
     
4. TILGHMAN ISLAND: It's beyond St. Michaels, but worth the extra miles. There's a unique used bookshop, excellent seafood and a real oyster shucking house.
     
5. DENTON: I can't help but have a soft spot for Denton. It's trying so hard. When I was there a year ago, the mayor proudly told me that even the bright green trash cans were locally made. And if you're going to Rehoboth, you'll be right near there anyway, why not swing by? I have gotten some good deals at the antique shops in town and the courthouse lawn is quite lovely. There is riverfront, too, but you have to go hunting for it. Adkins Arboretum isn't far away, and neither is the so-called strawberry capital of the world, Ridgely.
     
6. EASTON: Ok, it's not exactly a hidden treasure, but if you haven't gotten off the road in a couple of years to check it out, I think you'll find it looks different than the last time. It's chock full of elegant restaurants, semi-famous chefs and pretty parks. There's an art museum and a theater for concerts, as well as fine coffee shops and a cool toy store.

7. GALENA: When you pull in to your parking space here you might wonder why I recommended this northern Kent County town. It's simple- for the antiques. Then drive up the road to pretty Georgetown, home of the Kitty Knight House, where charming Miss Kitty convinced the British not to burn her town. Good thing-it's lovely, and Kitty's place stands as a restaurant as well as a B and B-though last time I passed by it was closed. 
     
8. CAMBRIDGE: I know parts of it have seen better days, but there's something about the rustic, unpolished town that makes me smile. Plus, you have to love that view of the Choptank. 
     
9. SNOW HILL/PUBLIC LANDING: Public landing is just that-one of the few public places in the state where you can enjoy a view of the water and a picnic.  Snow Hill has the stores, the cafes and the people, but public landing has the view.
     
10. BERLIN: it was good enough for Julia Roberts and that girl from Gilmore Girls, and it's still far less crowded than nearby Ocean City. The architecture feels to me like a step back in time, and I mean that in a good way. 
     
Fellow bloggers, I'm sure, have their own favorites. And readers, too. Tell us yours-and be careful on the Bay Bridge.