A Change of Scenery
by Jeff Yocum
Take the Bus!
I’ve grown cranky in my old age, highly intolerant of crowds and heavy traffic. I was a little reluctant to go along with my wife on a bus tour of historic Frederick. I’ve seen Frederick, although it has been quite a while since I’ve ventured into the heart of town. Enochlophobia, the fear of crowds. That was my claim but to no avail.
So, we caught our bus, but it was no ordinary bus. It was a real, honest to goodness, London double-decker. And, you could ride up on top! What a view! I wouldn’t advise standing up, though. It’s truly a unique perspective to gallivant about town 10 feet in the air. Looking down on surprised faces that are looking up at the monstrous bus is amusing.
Maryland Double Deckers offer an extensive list of tours. Go see the vineyards, America Civil War site, and sample the food and beverages Frederick has to offer. If you can’t find a tour that suits you, create one yourself. Incorporate a bus tour into a company outing. Take the bus to a wedding. The possibilities are limited only by imagination (and height restrictions; there are some limits).
As my wife and I rode around town, it occurred to me that perhaps I had never really looked at Frederick. Three hundred years of American history had played out in her streets and fields. The combatants of major wars had occupied the town. Lewis and Clark gathered and stored their provisions in Frederick before striking out westward on their expedition. There are trees that witnessed both Union and Confederate armies still standing. Remnants of the Industrial Revolution dot the landscape. Frederick is a witness to the birth and rise to prominence of the American story. And what a wonderful way to enjoy the 250th Anniversary of our independence, viewing centuries of history from the upper deck of a British bus.
For more information and reservations, go to www.MarylandDoubleDecker.com.
