I concur with the beauty of Thurmont, and have been there many times, for both the locally famous horse auctions (a family affair with food, drink, and a chance to pick up a bomb proof family rider at low prices) as well as the National Fire Academy. There is also a rather famous Catholic seminary there, which provides weekend monk type retreats, for those who really want to get away. For the Civil War history buffs it's an hour from Gettysburg, and an hour from Antietim. There's a rather decent Irish pub whose name has slipped my mind, as well as numerous inexpensive eateries. It's a tad cold in the winter but the spring and summer is a treat, with the Catoctin mountains on both sides of the valley in which Thurmont sits. Sproglet should do well