Every time I read a travel guide to Maryland, it makes me want to visit. But I live here, so that's totally out of the question -- at least until gas hits $4, at which time I will limit my travel to a 10-mile radius from my house. I may even explore Towson.

But for now I'll just be reading the new guide to Maryland & Delaware by Moon Handbooks ($19.95 list price; $13.57 at amazon.com). The book was released in April along with a guide to the Chesapeake Bay. ($14.21 at amazon.com)

Moon is one of my favorite travel guides, and I'm sure these two books are no exception. Especially for travelers who may be considering staying closer to home this summer, the books offer great ideas for daytrips and weekend getaways. They'll soon have you mooning over Maryland.