I have always been insanely proud of being a Maryland native. It has always given me a good first-day-of-class fact for my fellow classmates, and it explains the lack of visits home on the weekend. I definitely have my (awesome) state flag pinned on my wall here in Troy, and I brought back crab shells that look like Santa Claus for Christmas for my friends. While being a Marylander has a huge impact on who I am as a person, my college choice of Troy University in southern Alabama has influenced me, too. Since I have spent a lot of time picking up on some cool Southern ways of life—Chacos, Nike shorts, and sweet tea—I decided to share five ways we celebrate summer in my state.
Two words: crab season.
Maryland is split up by the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is home to the blue crab, one of Maryland's favorite foods. I believe that every Marylander has crab-picking genes in their bodies so that we can take apart a freshly steamed crab and pick it clean fast. It's not summer unless you attend at least three crab feasts, and it is definitely not a crab feast if you don't have Old Bay seasoning nearby. If you aren't a fan of picking the fine white meat and eating it right then and there, save it for crab dip or crab cakes. The possibilities are endless.
The beach.
The Delmarva peninsula, made up of Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia, have some quality beaches, if I do say so myself. Maryland, in particular, has Ocean City, which is the Maryland equivalent of Panama City Beach, Fla. With Virginia's help, we also have the Chincoteague and Assateague Islands, known for the Chincoteague ponies and the Annual Pony Swim. Where else would you find wild ponies relaxing on the beach with you?
Road trip!
Maryland's pride of Little America makes road tripping across the state pretty fun. From the beach to Annapolis, and the mountains of Deep Creek Lake, there are climates for every single person. Another fun way to do a road trip is to hit the history hot-spots of Maryland, even if it sounds a little nerdy. Maryland was one of the first thirteen colonies, and it is the seventh state. If you travel closer to the straight state line, you will find the Mason-Dixon stone markers. Fort McHenry in Baltimore is a cool visit, especially in regards to our country's national anthem and the revolutionary war. What about the Civil War? Head on up to Antietam and lay in the ditches of the battle fields. Washington D.C. is just a short drive away too!
Watch a Baltimore Oriole's game.
Maryland fun fact: the state sport is jousting. Jousting isn't as easy to find as the baseball team, though. In Maryland, Baltimore is called Birdland because it's home of the Baltimore Oriole's NBL team and the Baltimore Raven's NFL team. Since the time to hate the Pittsburgh Steeler's isn't until the fall, we spend our summers cheering on the Oriole's, hating the New York Yankees, and holding out the "Ooo" in the national anthem.
Go boating.
If you've got the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, why are you not going out on the boat? Spending a day on the water guarantees that you will get a solid tan and be able to go crabbing and fishing. The sunset on the water makes the adventure of boating even more rewarding.
Celebrate state pride.
It's well known that Marylander's love where they come from. Heck, even this Twitter user knew it.
