The history of the Delmarva Peninsula is inextricably entwined with the story of its railroads. The earliest railroads were short, locally funded lines. The dream to connect Norfolk directly to Eastern Seaboard cities farther north was first realized by the New York, Philadelphia & Norfolk Railroad in the 1880s. The line ran north-south along the peninsula to Cape Charles City, Virginia, where freight cars were loaded onto barges for the trip across the Chesapeake Bay. This line was eventually absorbed by the giant Pennsylvania Railroad, and the ferry service was eclipsed when the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel was completed in 1964. For more than a century, though, railroads played a critical role in the development of the Eastern Shore. Regional historian Lorett Treese tells this story.

Skipjacks and workboats, tidal rivers and coastal marshes, charming streetscapes, historic houses, and town parks with bandstands—picturesque subjects abound along the shores of Chesapeake Bay and have long made the region a favorite among amateur and professional artists. In Painting the Eastern Shore, accomplished artist and teacher James Drake Iams combines visits to some of the Chesapeake's most beautiful places with step-by-step lessons for learning the art of watercolor painting. This attractive volume will serve as a welcome companion for the amateur watercolorist setting out to paint on location. After offering tips on what equipment to pack, Iams gives specific directions to various Delmarva sites, tells how to set up, and suggests what to look for in a subject. He then discusses a variety of essential techniques: sketching, composition, value, color, control of the medium, capturing depth and handling perspective, wetting the paper, and methods for painting key elements such as clouds, birds, boats, sand, and water. As he introduces readers to the fundamentals of watercolor painting, Iams leads them on a rambling, thoroughly enjoyable tour of memorable places throughout Maryland and Virginia's Eastern Shore and Delaware. Painting the Eastern Shore is illustrated with 49 line drawings, halftones, and color pictures. Locations and lessons: •Kent Narrows, Maryland: Drawing •St. Michaels, Maryland: Perspective •Tilghman Island, Maryland: Skipjacks •Oxford, Maryland: Value •Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, Maryland: Waterfowl •Deal Island, Maryland: Composition •Crisfield and Smith Island, Maryland: Color •Saxis, Virginia: Texture •Wachapreague, Virginia: Marshes •Chincoteague, Virginia: Wet paint on wet paper •Trussum Pond, Delaware: Trees •Lewes, Delaware: Reflections •Cape Henlopen State Park, Delaware: Waves, dunes, and skies •New Castle, Delaware: Architectural painting

Experience the storied Delmarva Peninsula in a fresh new way through this collection of amazing tales from days gone by. Award-winning writer Jim Duffy shares 44 true-life tales that run the gamut: adventure, comedy, romance, murder, and more.

Join award-winning writer Jim Duffy as he ventures out in search of the heart and soul of the storied Delmarva Peninsula--wandering along backroads, visiting Chesapeake islands, touring quaint towns, and strolling beaches and parks. A follow-up to the regional bestseller "Eastern Shore Road Trips," "Eastern Shore Road Trips 2" serves up 26 all-new excursions that mix itineraries full of insider tips with fascinating stories from days gone by. The author is the co-founder of Secrets of the Eastern Shore, the go-to online source among locals and tourists alike for travel tips and engaging stories about the region. Whether you are a road tripper or an armchair traveler, "Eastern Shore Road Trips 2" is sure to give you a fresh sense for what makes the Delmarva Peninsula such a timeless American treasure. In every chapter, the book delves into the fascinating events and key personalities that shaped the destination at hand. Trips are evenly divided among the lower, middle, and upper parts of the peninsula, which covers the Eastern Shore of Virginia, the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and the state of Delaware. Helpful maps provide a general sense for the geography of each trip.

During the American Revolution, the Eastern Shore was filled with both Patriots and Loyalists. Both sides attacked the other using privateers - pirates to their enemies. These enterprising locals plundered and pillaged, and motivated by profit, some even fought for both sides. The Chesapeake Bay was the site of one of the last and bloodiest naval battles of the Revolution, and privateers were instrumental in the eventual American victory in the war. Author Leonard Szaltis uses local records to bring these legendary Eastern Shoremen and their exploits to life.