Rock Hall, MD

Rock Hall Village

Rock Hall Village is located in the downtown district of Rock Hall, MD. The village with its brightly colored tiny buildings is quirky and inviting, much like main street, the "downtown" of Rock Hall. There is an ice cream shop, souveniers, grammy's goodies, and more at the village. Downtown there are restaurants, a live theater, a grocery store and a farm stand called Fresh Wtart with many locally grown items and treats. Our visit wouldn't be complete without a stop at the Java Rock for some coffee, and a visit to Crickets for the pup. For any of you who may be traveling with a 4 legged family member and running low on dog food, Heather, the owner of Crickets is more than willing to order your favorite food and have it delivered to her shop. A nice bonus and testimony to the pleasant town folk. With so many options, you're sure to have a great time exploring Rock Hall Village!

Watermen

The Watermen of Rock Hall were a group of local fishermen who worked the Chesapeake Bay and the Eastern Shore of Maryland and this tradition has been passed on for generations. The watermen were integral to the development of the town of Rock Hall, providing an important source of income and livelihood for the community. Today's watermen use some of the very same methods. In the summers the blue crabs can be seen dangling from “trotlines.” In the cold months, wooden "deadrises"* still harvest oysters with tongs and rakes. The watermen also embodied the spirit of self-reliance and hard work that has served as a reminder of the depth of Rock Hall pride and the vibrancy of Eastern Shore culture. They are an important part of Rock Hall's history and the watermen legacy continues to be celebrated by the town today.

*for those that don't know, a “deadrise” is a typical Chesapeake workboat, characterized by a sharp bow that quickly becomes a flat V shape moving aft along the bottom of the hull.

Bald Eagles

The bald eagles of the Chesapeake are large raptors with a yellow, hook-shaped bill and a white head and tail. They are found mainly along the estuaries and rivers of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, where they feed primarily on fish. The bald eagles are an important part of the Chesapeake's rich wildlife and are a symbol of the bay's health and vigor. Bald eagles mate for life and usually return to the same nest each year to breed. A typically start their day begins at sunrise, soaring high in the sky in search of food. During the day, they will usually hunt for fish in open water or scavenge for carrion from other animals. The bald eagle can also be seen perched atop tall trees or snags, keeping an eye out for potential prey and surveying the surrounding area. At one point, there were only 60 pair of breeding bald eagles in the Chesapeake Bay area. The number rose to 1000 in 2016 and in 2020 the bald eagles were removed from the federal threatened and endangered species list as it was determined there were 3000 breeding pairs in the Chesapeake. We were witness to a pair living in the Swan Creek area. They are truly magnificent creatures.

Going Ashore

We went ashore courtesy of Haven Harbor North. They have a dinghy dock and we travelled to the nearby town of Rock Hall by foot or we sometimes took our electric bikes. They also have a dumpster and recycling available. For a nominal fee they will give you full day pass with access to their facilities: an in-ground pool, showers, free bicycles, restrooms and play ground. They also have an extensive yard if you need any mechanical, electrical, or carpentry work etc. It may be worth a call. We found the staff super friendly and helpful.