those in cars , but other users as well . If you find yourself trundling along behind a large farm tractor that ’ s barely managing 15 mph as it travels up the road to work another field , let your gaze wander while you patiently give the farmer space , because after all , farming is the business of the Reserve . Looking out , you might see some of the plentiful white tailed deer that thrive in the Reserve , or a fox dashing across a field . With the Potomac River on the western edge and the Patuxent River on the eastern boundary , plus lakes like Little Seneca and the many streams that crisscross the Reserve , it ’ s no longer uncommon — but still a thrill — to see bald eagles ! At least in May and June , be sure to cast your eyes down toward the road surface itself for some of the roads ’ slowest users : turtles . On the move to find nesting and breeding sites , most commonly found are box turtles , snappers , painted turtles and red-eared sliders . Take it slow , because if you ’ re going too fast , you may be the last thing that turtle ever sees . If you want to help a turtle cross the road , first check for traffic , then move the critter in the direction in which it was traveling . Handle with caution — especially if it ’ s a snapper — as they can bite .
Another reason to be ready to step on your brake ; some of these winding rustic roads have hedgerows on either side . This vegetation is great habitat for songbirds looking for berries and insects , and they may be flitting back and forth across the road without realizing the danger cars can present . Comus Road , on the stretch between the Comus Inn at Old Hundred Road , past Sugarloaf Mountain n Heritage Montgomery can help you find places worth visiting in the Reserve : www . heritagemontgomery . org / places-to-go /
n Sugarloaf Regional Trails has free maps that can be used to guide you hiking , driving , walking or canoeing : sugarloafregionaltrails . org / index . php n
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Find lists of the County ’ s charming Rustic Roads as well as a map that shows their locations ( and lets you give feedback about your experiences with them ) by visiting : montgomeryplanning . org / planning / transportation / highway-planning / rustic-roads /
The C & O Canal Trust suggests places to visit along the Potomac River where the canal borders the Ag Reserve : www . canaltrust . org / plan /
Montgomery County Office of Agriculture has great information about farm markets , wineries , pick your own farms and a “ revive the Sunday drive tour :” montgomerycountymd . gov / agservices / farm-to-table . html
n Patuxent River State Park : dnr . maryland . gov / publiclands / Pages / central / patuxentriver . aspx n
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Everything you need to get the show on the road
Seneca Creek State Park : dnr . maryland . gov / publiclands / pages / central / seneca . aspx
Little Bennett Regional Park : www . montgomeryparks . org / parks-and-trails / littlebennett-regional-park /
Black Hill Regional Park : www . montgomeryparks . org / parks-and-trails / black-hillregional-park /
Maryland turtles : news . maryland . gov / dnr / 2019 / 05 / 15 / marylands-wild-turtlesare-on-the-move /
n Maryland wildlife : dnr . maryland . gov / Wildlife / Pages / plants _ wildlife / home . aspx #:~: text = Maryland % 20is % 20home % 20to % 20an ,% 2C % 20etc )% 20also % 20 reside % 20here .
photo : caroline taylor