How, after all these years of living in Maryland and covering the outdoors, did I manage to miss the little gem that is St. Clement's Island State Park?

Dangling like a pendant in the Potomac River, the park is a short water taxi ride ($7) from the St. Mary's County shoreline.

The 40-acre island is where English settlers aboard the Ark and Dove first set foot in Maryland on March 25, 1634.

The lovely St. Clement's Island Museum outlines that story and lots of other aspects of Maryland's beginnings.

On the island, a massive, 40-foot white cross explodes above the landscape, erected to commemorate the religious freedom sought by settlers. A stone's throw away, a replica of the Blackistone Lighthouse anchors the far end of the island. Together, they create a postcard scene.

The Blackistone Lighthouse at St. Clement's Island
Baltimore Sun photo by Candus Thomson

Other Questers -- B Squad and Team Furlows -- also are at St. Clement's with the Bay Bougheys and yours truly.

It's a beautiful day for a boat ride and a wonderful way to end Day Five of my weeklong adventure to visit all 24 state parks taking part in Park Quest. And at the end of the island Quest, an ice cream truck rolls by. Icy-cold treats for a buck? Such a deal.

It's time to hit the road and get ready for Monday's four Quests -- Patapsco Valley, Sandy Point, Wye Oak and Tuckahoe.

As I left St. Clement's and my companions for the day, the Bay Bougheys, Mackenzie Boughey, 8, gave me her outdoors blessing: "May the forest be with you."