tigersonthego

By Jeremy Jones Jr.

As a student finding time away is essential to my mental health. Towson being in Baltimore is full of urban hustle culture. For me growing up In Calvert County I have the luxury of living close to one of the most quiet and affordable beach towns in Maryland–the Chesapeake Beach which is located along the Chesapeake Bay.

I could smell my destination before I arrived, a mix of raunchy saltwater and fish that I could smell even all of my windows rolled up. I decided to park my car at the boardwalk and start my journey from there but there is plenty of free parking.

I made my way down the boardwalk, about half a mile. Locals strolled past me, some walking, some even driving, as couples leaned against the rail taking photos. Past the railing I could see big fishing boats far out on the horizon. It was a gentle, peaceful setting. No obnoxiously loud cars or people like you would find in Baltimore.

Chesapeake Beach is notably a family-oriented town with lots of retirees. The house and apartments are beautiful and sit among the boardwalk at some points. I found myself often times looking out into the shimmering water and imagining how much better the view from the balconies of those houses and apartments must be. It motivates me as a college student what lifestyle might be possible for me if I work hard enough.

Less than a 15 minute walk down the street from the boardwalk is the Veteran’s Memorial Park.  It’s a small but powerful space, with carefully tended gardens, a huge flag pole, and engraved names honoring local service members. Standing there, I listened to the waves crashing and the wind flowing through the big American flag as a quiet reminder of the community’s deep respect for those who served.

Although the park is not huge, what struck me most was how personal it felt. The honor roll monument was more than just names on a stone; it represented real people from this small town who had served and sacrificed. The care that is put into upholding the monument makes the respect that much more apparent the monument. Stones represented each branch of the United States military. It reminded me that every community, no matter how small, has its own stories and connections to things much larger.

As I walked back to my car, I rarely pulled my phone out of my pocket which is unusual for me with severe attachment to the internet and social media. I would rather take in the scenery and live in the beautiful moment the setting has created for me. As I strolled down the street, I noticed an older gentleman mowing his lawn. Off instinct I went up to him and asked if I could do it for him, but he declined as he said it was his healthy dose of exercise.

We then introduced ourselves and I found that my new friend Jim was a veteran in the Chesapeake area. He told me about all the best fishing spots and that the best spot is not directly in the Bay’s salt water, but where the river flows into the bay and is a mix between the freshwater making it brackish. He also gave me a history lesson on the beach and how in the early 1900s the beach was much more natural and fishing was not as regulated due to the newfound residential properties. He also told me that steamboats used to come to and from Baltimore through the bay to the beach.  As a commuter from the beach area to Towson I couldn’t help but think how convenient that would have been for me.

For Towson students, Chesapeake Beach is the perfect quick escape. It’s close, affordable, and gives you that relaxing vacation feeling without the long planning and expensive plane tickets. Whether you’re into nature, history, or just need a mental reset, I would recommend visiting the Chesapeake Beach area.