Cushwa Brewing

In the saturated world of craft beer, Cushwa Brewing Co. in Williamsport, Maryland, stands out as a beacon of innovation and passion. Not to be confused with Williamsport, Pennsylvania where there are other great breweries such as New Trail. 

Established by a trio of friends with diverse backgrounds, Cushwa has quickly become a favorite among beer enthusiasts, myself included! I shamelessly use and enjoy using the Untappd app. I found out about Cushwa by searching highest rated breweries within 70 miles. Cushwa was right on the border of that. It is an easy straight-shot down I-81 from Harrisburg, PA, so why not? It's a nice little one hour trip to a great brewery. 

I can't properly explain why, maybe it's the focus on NEIPAs, stouts, and fruited sours, but Cushwa reminds a bit of Ever Grain in Camp Hill, PA. My all time favorite Central PA brewery. They've done collaborations before so I'm not totally off on that one!

Cushwa's Founding and Philosophy 

Garrett Chambers, Marcus Thomas, and Scott Coleman, each with a unique professional background, founded Cushwa Brewing Co. Their collective journey from home brewing to establishing a successful microbrewery is a testament to their dedication and love for craft beer. They chose Williamsport, a spot rich in history and community spirit, to bring their vision to life. The founding ethos was simple yet profound: create exceptional beer and foster a community around it.

The Art of Brewing at Cushwa: A Symphony of Flavors

At Cushwa Brewing Co., brewing is not just a process, but an artistic endeavor that celebrates the rich tapestry of flavors. Their reputation for New England-style (Hazy) IPAs has made them a standout in the craft beer market, but their mastery goes far beyond. The brewery’s offerings are a testament to their innovative approach, where traditional brewing methods meet creative exploration.

 

Sitting at one of the long communal tables facing the bar area. They do have normal seating for those that want to sit alone or away from others. I always want to be away from others, but since we day drink it was very quiet, LOL.

 

A unique highlight in their portfolio is the Electrofruit series, a testament to their prowess in crafting kettle sours. These monthly offerings showcase Cushwa's ability to infuse traditional sour beers with imaginative, vibrant flavors, creating a sensory experience that’s both refreshing and unique. The Electrofruit series, along with their other diverse offerings like the robust and flavorful Rambo imperial milk stout, illustrates the breadth of Cushwa’s brewing capabilities. Each beer is a reflection of their commitment to quality, innovation, and a desire to offer a multifaceted beer experience.

They technically don't offer flights but you are able to order 2 small pours at a time. The small pours are like 5-6 ounces if I remember correctly. 

A Hub for the Community 

Cushwa isn’t just a place to enjoy great beer; it’s a community hub. The spacious, light-filled taproom invites visitors to relax and connect. This sense of community extends to collaborations with local businesses, like the successful venture with Rad Pies, offering a delicious pizza experience right inside the brewery and expanding their beverage options to include local wines and ciders reflect their commitment to inclusivity and community engagement. I can attest to Rad Pies! They are pretty darn good and having them glass-cased inside the brewery is the ultimate plus.

 

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C&O Canal National Historic Park -- Williamsport

We weren't sure what to expect of this place but we like to go to National Park Service sites and "collect" cancellation stamps, so why not! The park is hundreds of miles long as it follows the C&O canal itself. Along the way there are different sites and features that one can see. We went to Williamsport, MD as it was the closest site to us, and had a fantastic brewery in the city as well. There was a huge amount of fun things to do at the Williamsport location, for us at least, but it was still a cool place to visit, for some outdoors and history. Definitely an overlooked National Park Service operation.

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park -- Cushwa Basin Entrance Sign

The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park (C&O Canal NHP) is a United States National Historical Park located in the District of Columbia and the states of Maryland and West Virginia. It preserves the remains of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal, which was built to transport coal, lumber, and agricultural products from the Allegheny Mountains to the eastern seaboard cities, primarily Washington D.C. The park is managed by the National Park Service.

Exploring the Historical Canvas

In Williamsport, MD, the C&O Canal National Historical Park unfolds as a vibrant tableau of history and nature, allowing explorers to immerse themselves in the living remnants of the 19th-century canal life. Here, every restored lock, every aqueduct whispers tales of the innovative and industrious spirits who once breathed life into the canal, making it a bustling artery of trade and progress.

 

Bridge and Dead Wood over the Canal

 

The Pulsating Heart: Cushwa Basin

The Cushwa Basin stands out as the heartbeat of this historical odyssey, with the Cushwa Warehouse opening its doors to a time when it was teeming with goods and lively banter. This iconic structure serves as a silent storyteller, weaving narratives of vibrant commerce, resilient communities, and the rhythmic pulse of everyday life along the canal.

The Cushwa Warehouse -- C&O

 

Diverse Tapestries of Nature

The park’s essence is not confined to its historical bricks and mortar; it is also an enchanting haven of nature’s wonders. Here, verdant trails and serene towpaths unravel the delicate beauty and the rhythmic dance of diverse ecosystems. It’s a place where the whispering leaves, the gentle hum of the river, and the myriad hues of wildlife come together to compose a harmonious symphony of rejuvenation and reflection. We were actually stopped on the towpath as a few deer were claiming their space in the middle of the path. We just stopped, stared, and waited for them to move on their way. We saw geese and plenty of fish in the canal as well!

There are 74 locks on the C&O canal. Here is but one of them! The water unfortunately had some trash floating in it.

A Learning Odyssey

More than just a witness to bygone eras and natural splendor, the park is a vibrant learning space. Its carefully curated exhibits, engaging displays, and insightful guides illuminate the multifaceted role of the canal in shaping the economic and cultural landscapes of the nation. The educational journey here is designed to spark inquiries, ignite imaginations, and deepen the appreciation for the rich tapestry of American heritage.

If you squint real hard you can see some geese!

Wandering through Diverse Landscapes

Wandering through the park is like traversing diverse landscapes of time, culture, and nature. The lush environs invite bird watchers, hikers, and nature photographers to capture the fleeting moments of beauty and the eternal rhythms of life. The varied terrains, the shimmering waters, and the echoing woodlands create a mosaic of experiences, beckoning explorers to lose themselves in the myriad layers of existence and discovery.

 

 

Enriching Encounters

Each visit to the park becomes an enriching encounter with the multifaceted aspects of existence, weaving together the strands of history, the vibrancy of nature, and the enlightening sparks of learning. Whether it’s retracing the steps of the canal workers, absorbing the tranquility of the landscapes, or unraveling the intricate patterns of cultural evolution, the park offers a treasure trove of experiences and insights for every curious soul.

A small cut off the path is a defunct R. Paul Smith Power Station.

In essence, the C&O Canal National Historical Park in Williamsport, MD, is not merely a destination but a living, breathing entity, a dynamic symphony of stories, landscapes, and wisdom. It invites explorers from all walks of life to delve into its rich layers, to converse with its silent narrators, and to embrace the diverse melodies of life and time. It’s a timeless journey, a continuous dialogue between the past and the present, and an eternal dance of knowledge and beauty.

 Also, while you're in Williamsport, MD and tired out after checking out C&O... head to Cushwa Brewing! Like we did.

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Assateague Island National Seashore

Assateague Island is a 37-mile (60 km) long barrier island located off the eastern coast of the United States. The island is divided between two states: Maryland to the north and Virginia to the south. It is famous for its picturesque landscapes, which include pristine sandy beaches, coastal bays, salt marshes, and maritime forests. The island is home to the Assateague Island National Seashore, the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, and the Assateague State Park (in Maryland).

 

Wild Horses

One of the most well-known features of Assateague Island is its population of wild horses, also known as the Assateague horses or the Chincoteague ponies. The origin of these horses is uncertain, but they have lived on the island for centuries. Local folklore suggests that the horses are descendants of survivors from a shipwrecked Spanish galleon, while another theory proposes that they were brought to the island by early settlers.

Chip: Assateague Island's Most Infamous Horse! This was only a few weeks before he was removed from the island. Glad we got to see this crazy dude. 

 

 

Chip was removed from the park in 2022 due to increased aggression towards guests, park staff, and other island mates. It is estimated that almost half of all aggression events were a result of Chip. He's living a more laid back life on a ranch in Texas now. It is thought that Chip had become "food-conditioned". Food conditioning happens when an animal begins to rely on humans for food and lose their fear of approaching humans as a result, and may act aggressively during the encounter. You wouldn't feed a bear, don't feed the horses either! 

 

Sometimes people leave food out on the beach. The horses will find it! I've seen horses rummaging through people's beach camp while they were playing in the ocean, blissfully unaware that their cheetos were being stolen.
 

Activities

The island offers a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, birdwatching, kayaking, surfing, and camping. Visitors can also participate in guided tours to learn about the island's unique ecosystems and its diverse flora and fauna. The annual Pony Swim and auction, which takes place on the last Wednesday and Thursday of July, is a popular event where the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company rounds up the wild horses on Assateague and swims them across the channel to Chincoteague Island. Some of the young foals are then auctioned off to help control the population and raise funds for the fire department

I believe this was Life of the Marsh trail at Assateague. Assateague is so much more than just a beach!

This is not Chip. Presumably much nicer and gentler.

I remember when we always used to visit Ocean City, MD as a kid. I wanted nothing more to sit and stay in that exact area. I loved OCMD. The notion of potentially going anywhere else, like Assateague was offensive to my child brain. Now as an adult, I want nothing more than to stay on Assateague and escape the bustle and insanity that OCMD becomes.

Assateague Island nearing sunset at Old Ferry Landing

Nearing sunset on Assateague

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