Kid Baltimore | Family Activities with Children in Baltimore, Maryland

Harpers Ferry, WV

Our side trip while camping this year was to Harpers Ferry, a historic town in West Virginia that sits where the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers meet. It's about an hour and a half from Baltimore, so manageable in a day if you aren't up for the overnight. Most of Harpers Ferry is either national parkland, or historic district. The Appalachian Trail also crosses through. So beyond the amazing views, you will find lots of hiking, tubing, and history here.

Parking is a challenge, unless you arrive early, but a shuttle runs every 12 minutes from the Harpers Ferry National Park to the historic district.

There are museums and shops along the way.

Be sure to climb up to visit St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church. The church is beautiful and open to the public. And the view from way up there is not to be missed.

There are a shocking number of icecream shops around. Really, Harpers Ferry? I think you may have over-saturated yourself with icecream shops. We eventually gave in.

A nice walk along and over (and in) the river ended our day. Maybe next time we will bring along bathing suits, Eh, kids?

Camping with Hobo Packets

Day one of summer vacation, and things are looking a-okay. The early end of school lined up perfectly with our camping trip. We headed to the Treehouse camp  right after the kids got off the bus. It almost, almost gave me that end of school feeling—that feeling I never get anymore, where everything is done. An ending. And nothing to do all summer but play.

It always amazes me to notice how much more robust the kids are after a year goes by. The trip to the campground seemed easy. The kids had just a bit more walk-around time than last year. No one complained when dinner was late, and what a dinner it was—Hobo Packets. This just might be my new summer favorite, despite the quirky name.

Here is my co-chef. She made most of dinner without me.

HOBO PACKETS

2 lbs. potatoes, diced
1 red pepper, diced,
1 lb. mushrooms, cut in half
1 lb. roll sausage
Cooking spray or oil.
Salt and pepper

Fold a 3-foot piece of aluminum foil in half to make a 1 1/2 foot double-thick piece. Repeat 5 times. Spray with oil.

In the center of each piece of foil, place 1/5 of potatoes, peppers, and mushrooms. (Yes, we are a family of 5. Adjust as needed.) Add salt and pepper to taste. Divide sausage into 5 equal portions and break apart on top. 

 Fold aluminum foil on sides and top to form packets. Grill on low heat for approximately 20 minutes or until potatoes are cooked.

 

Open packets and enjoy. Serve with crusty bread to soak up the extra juice.

There are tons of variations on these. Tilapia and asparagus? Why not.