Anyone on the board from that area?
I’m going to be working on the Naval Base for the two weeks after Thanksgiving and will have the evenings & the weekend in between free.
Any good shops in the area I should check out to kill some time?
Any good places to run?
Thanks.
Steve
Good old St. Mary’s Count Maryland…that’s where I went to college 
A few miles south and west of the naval air station is St. Mary’s College and Historic St. Mary’s City, probably a 10-15 drive from where you will be. If you are going south on Route 235 turn right (west) on Willows Road. Take Willows a few miles and then make a left (south) on Route 5. After a few miles the river will open up on your right and you’ll go past some college buildings and see the historic frame houses, there are a few parking lots right near there. Lots of good running trails near the college and along the river. There is a bike shop a bit north of where you will be on Solomon’s Island (not sure of the name, go over the big tall bridge and it’s up a few miles on the right).
The area…well it is a funny mix of a somewhat poor, former tobacco growing southern farming area, a liberal arts college and all the things that a military base brings (cookie cutter housing developments and lots of defense contractor office buildings).
Also, if you can bring your bike you can ride Route 5 south about 15 miles to the end of the peninsula where the river meets the Chesapeake, about 30 miles or so round trip ride from where you’ll be, pretty nice, especially as you come to the end of the peninsula. Road quality on the shoulders is a little bumpy…although bumpy shoulder is better than riding on the road and running into farmers with pickup trucks.
Steve,
My husband & I own the bike/kayak shop (PAC - Patuxent Adventure Center) in Solomons, Maryland - approx. 7 miles from base. Here’s the link to our website www.paxadventure.com. Hours are Tues-Fri 10-7, Sat 10-5, & Sun 12-5. My husband, Dave, manages the shop - while I work elsewhere fulltime 
& only part time at the shop to handle the financial side. Call him at the shop when you get into town or before you come & he’ll tell you places to ride - 410-394-2770. Also, he can give you info. on Pax Velo’s rides (that’s the cycling club).
If you want to run . . . on base is as good as any place - there’s a 10 mile loop around base & then options for plenty of shorter runs. It is flat - not sure what you’re looking for. Also - depending on where you are staying in the area, there will be other options. If you want to swim, you can swim right on base at the drill hall. If you want to swim w/a Master’s group, we swim Tuesday & Thursday a.m. at 5:15. You are more than welcome to join us. Or, if you’d rather swim on your own . . . I think lap swimming hours are something like 6-9 a.m., 10-1 p.m., and then 3:30-8 p.m…
Trish Lane
Thanks for the info, Trish. It sounds like training on Base will be the easiest/most convenient. I’m not really looking for anything special. Just looking to maintain fitness and kill some time.
I’ll definitely make it a point to swing by your shop. I’ve been more & more interested in the Specialized BG stuff lately (tri shoes and the Toupe saddle, mostly).
Unfortunately, I won’t be bringing my bike on this trip. (Not worth the hassle/expense.) So, running and swimming will be the extent of it this time around.
Steve
Steve,
I just switched to the Specialized BG tri shoes & the toupe saddle this summer - love them both - most comfortable shoes & saddle I’ve ever had - & I’m not just saying that 'cuz we sell them!!
Maybe I’ll see you at the pool next week.
Trish
Say hello to my brother, he works for MFS at Pax River.
They run the flight simulators for the V-22 Ospray and other aircraft.
I can ask him and send you the info if you want.
I should be pretty set, but thanks for the offer. Of course, if he can get me some sim time… (j/k)
Steve
LOL! Of course you did. (I can already see that my per diem is going to take a beating on this trip!) Don’t forget to tell you husband about the standard Slowtwitch discount!
You just might.
Steve