Dock of the bay: A view of the harbor in Solomons, where you can enjoy waterfront dining, shopping or charter a boat for a day of fishing on the Chesapeake.
According to the 2000 census, Prince Frederick, Md., had a population of 1,432 residents. It’s located in central Calvert County – which is east of Charles County – and is the county seat of Calvert.
There are a couple of unique things about Calvert County. One, it’s the state’s smallest county in land area, and two, it’s shaped like California. Don’t believe me? Check it out. It’s all the more ironic because the town of California sits across the Patuxent River in St. Mary’s County. For even more irony, just up the road from that stately settlement is the town of Hollywood. I half expect someone to found the town of Arnold Schwarzenegger next in St. Mary’s County.
Renting in Prince Frederick puts you 42 miles outside of downtown Washington, D.C. So, if you want to commute there, you better have a car in good condition and the patience of Job to deal with notorious D.C. drivers. Don’t let my psychological projections prevent you from commuting.
In fact, all things considered, sitting in an air-conditioned car while the stereo cranks out the tunes can be a cathartic experience after a tough day on the job and one that I frequently enjoy whether I’m working or not. But, hey, who said you had to commute?
While Prince Frederick does indeed put you smack in the middle of Calvert County, the place is so small that you’re only four miles from the Chesapeake Bay to the east and four miles from the Patuxent River to the west. To the northeast lies Breezy Point Beach and Campground (which has a Prince Frederick ZIP code, by the way), where you can bask in the sun, wade in the waters of the Chesapeake, play volleyball or camp. Adjacent to that is Breezy Point Marina, where you can boat to your heart’s content. (To make matters confusing, Breezy Point Marina has a Chesapeake Beach address. Oh, the folly of ZIP codes.)
In fact, the county is extremely verdant and rural. Hallowing Point Park offers non-beach athletes the chance to round up their friends and play softball, soccer, tennis or basketball. You’re also about 20 miles northwest of Solomons, Md., a waterfront fishing village that doubles as a popular weekend destination spot for many area residents.
Since you’re quite a ways away from the big city, you’ll be happy to know that there are plenty of grocery stores in Prince Frederick (Giant, Nick’s of Calvert, Safeway, Food Lion), along with some familiar places to eat (Applebee’s, The Greene Turtle, Ruby Tuesday), and even a Wal-Mart and a Kmart. Not exactly haute couture, but who cares, you got the beach … and a car.
