This area of the United States has many tiny jewels of history. That was no where more apparent when we finished our day at the towns of Sharpsburg, MD, and Shepherdstown, WV. We first rolled into Sharpsburg on our way to Antietam noticing that nearly every house on Main Street had at least one U.S. flag on display. Many of the houses appear to be at least 200 years old, well kept and colorful displaying a wide range of architectures.
The building that captured Ted’s interest the most, however, was the one housing Nutters Ice Cream, established 1996, where we would treat ourselves to ice cream. It is a simple store that reminds me of the penny candy stores I would frequent in my youth. It also reminded me of my youth as our ice creams (2 huge scoops) costs only $2 each. It is almost worth a trip to the town, just to buy the ice cream.
Our next stop was Sheherdstown, which after some rolling hills that our legs were not prepared for as well as cars traveling uncomfortably fast and close to us, we reached our inn tired and ready to rest. This is a college town with a propensity toward the arts. Like many college towns it has the typical stores that college students (as well as tourists) would frequent. But there are no chains and its compactness and walkability lets Ted and me hop off our bikes to explore after we wash up.
The town is the oldest town in West Virginia having been settled as early as 1719. The restored and originally appointed buildings are lovely to see and soothing. But enough about history, it is time to eat. We are hungry.
