Leonardtown Wharf July 6,2013

Well Greg loaded up the kayaks and we went to Leonardtown Wharf. It is at the foot of Washington Street. The kayak ramp was great. We loaded my kayak in the shoot and Greg gave me a push. Right out into the Bay I went! He loaded his kayak and gave himself a little shove and away he went as well! We headed to the right, up to the head of the Bay and to the mouth of where the McIntosh Run empties into Brenton Bay. It was a beautiful morning. Saw some pretty birds. Didn't see too many other boaters. We went up the run a little way, and then headed back to the wharf. We were out on the water for apron. 75 minutes. Getting back on the floating launch wasn't a problem for me. Greg pulled me back up the chute that I had gone down! Would like to launch from the winery and paddle the run to the Bay. Perhaps next time! I am still liking kayaking!

Port of Leonardtown Brenton Bay

This was the final place that we checked out for the day. It was the Public Park at the Port of Leonardtown. It is at the foot of Route 326,Washington Street. It was the most kayak friendly of the places so far. There was a big parking lot, a short walk to the launch ramp, and they even had bathrooms! That is a plus.

There was a ramp, which you can see in the photos. It is a floating dock. It was designed to launch from. The water in the Bay was pretty calm. There were a number of other kayakers out there. The water is also used by speed boats and jet skis. On this particular day, we witnessed that the speed boats had little regard for the kayakers. Instead of slowing down as they passed them, they sped up and created waves. This is a maritime no no, but was done none the less. Something to be aware of.

This was the nicest location we found today and have made plans to make it our next outing!

Launch Sites....Old Chaptico Wharf

Actually the second place we checked out was the Old Chaptico Wharf. It was a busy place. People were pulling out and putting in motor boats. There was still plenty of room to launch a kayak. There was the traditional boat ramp, and there was a low dock out at the end of the wharf. There was a rocky shoreline, so you couldn't launch from a beach area. Once again, it was on the open water of the Wicomico River, which looked to be a little rougher than we wanted. There was plenty of parking and it was a short walk to the dock. The Wharf was located down Route 238, heading towards 7th District. Once again it was apron 5 miles from the house.

Possible Launch Site.....Port of Leonardtown Public Park

 

The third place that we looked at was the Port of Leonardtown Park. It was located near the intersection of Route 5 and Route 243, Newtowne Neck Road. It was a small park with ample parking.  It was a small stream that opened up to Brenton Bay. There was an area where you could launch from. It was , as Greg said, a "lazy river". There was moving water, but it was flowing very slow. In the photos it looks quite narrow at this point, but it gets wider as you go down stream. It may be part of the McIntosh Run. 

Finding a Launch Site.....Wicomico Shores

The day after our first outing, we decided to get out the Miata and scope out some local areas that we thought might be good for kayaking. We started at Wicomico Shores. It had a public boat ramp, which would do nicely. It also had a dock that you could use to lower yourself into kayak, a technique that I am not ready to try! Upon going out on the dock to get a view of the shoreline, I discovered a small sandy beach just past the picnic grounds and bathrooms. We walked down to it and found that it would be a perfect place to launch. There was even a stream going back into a marshy area. That would be fun to explore. Couldn't tell how far back it went, but worth a look.

This area was in more open water, the Wicomico River. There was a breeze blowing and the water was rougher than we are ready to tackle. If you stayed close to the shore, it could be a nice place to explore. Not far from home, within 5 miles.

Kayaking

So while thinking of what to get for Greg for his birthday, I remembered how much he liked kayaking while we were in Florida on vacation earlier in the Spring. A kayak....perfect gift. So I spent some time on line looking at kayaks. Spent even more time looking in stores. I saw a couple that I thought he might like, but not being a kayaker myself, what did I really know about kayaks? What features would be most liked by the gift recipient? Finally I came to my senses and decided to get him a paddle and a dry bag. The kayak should be chosen by him! 

Glad I let him choose, as he picked something different from what I would have picked for him. He wanted something like what Emily and Jeff had. I was looking for something more stable.

We looked at Bass Pro Shop, no recreational kayaks, just fishing ones. We found what he wanted at Dick's Sporting Goods. He selected a Preception "Swifty."  Since this was a sport that we would be enjoying together, I figured that I should "take the plunge" and get a kayak as well! I picked out a Potomac "Catalyst."Mine has a flatter bottom, a little longer, and has 2 dry wells; one in the bow and one in the stern. (How do you like those boating terms?)

With Greg's schedule, we were not going to be able to try the yaks out till the 4th of July. Our first venture out was to St Mary's Lake in Calloway. The launch went well. We paddled around for about an hour. It was really fun. I never once felt in danger of flipping over. That had been my biggest fear of kayaking. It was a really nice day, the weather was nice. It was a little breezy, but not windy.  I came away from that experience wanting to go again!

Now to look for some more areas to paddle in.........