I’ve visited Clearfield County three times now, and I’m impressed by how much there is to see and do there! From dinosaurs to cars to Civil War history, cute b&bs, some fab food, a bloody cabin, and hiking, biking and kayaking! You’ll find plenty there to keep you busy! Take the “24 in 24 Challenge,” […]
kayaking
Kayaking Lake Laura
Lake Laura is a mile-long, man-made lake near the border of the Virginia, West Virginia state line, in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. The lake is surrounded by mountains, homes hidden in the trees high up on the shore. We’d intended to launch our own kayak… Literally up a creek without a paddle but […]
Another Wonderful Maryland Lake to Kayak!
Little Seneca Lake, anchoring Black Hill Regional Park, is a reservoir located in Montgomery County, MD. Don’t be fooled by the name — this more than 500-acre lake, which was man-made and completed in 1984, runs about 7 miles long and curls into numerous inlets and coves. Three creeks — Little Seneca, Cabin Branch and […]
Exploring Seneca Creek State Park by Kayak
The lake beckoned to us when we drove around the park for Winter Lights. Even as we were admiring the animated reindeer jumping across the road, we were thinking, “gotta come back during kayaking season.” The lake is Clopper Lake, at the Seneca Creek State Park. This state park — all 6300 acres of it […]
Paddling at Piney Run Park
If you’re looking for a relaxed paddle within easy reach of Baltimore, Piney Run is probably the place for you! We spent an enjoyable couple hours exploring Piney Run, which is located in Carroll County, MD, recently. There’s a kayak launch — always appreciated — that makes getting into and out of the lake easy […]
Kayaking the West Susqehanna River
Once the weather gets warm, it’s time to start kayaking again! For the first trip of the season, we were introduced to an 11-mile segment of the West Branch Susquehanna River, which spanns some 243 miles, almost entirely within Pennsylvania. Almost half — 102 miles — are within just one county: Clearfield County, in central […]
Schuylkill River Paddle!
So ready for warmer weather and kayaking season again! On a warm Saturday last fall, we started our exploration of the Schuylkill River, near Landingville, PA, down to the basin created by the Auburn Dam. Because of a dam constructed to catch coal mine silt in the late 1940s — part of the effort to […]
Falling in Love with the C&O Canal All Over Again
I’ve frequently biked portions of the C&O Canal (although this year, not as much as I’d hoped) and of course, any good weather entices me to bring the mutts for a satisfying walk along some of my favorite sections. The towpath is a go-to destination, over and over. I’m constantly impressed by the beauty of […]
Potomac River Paddling Adventure in Dyke Marsh
Dyke Marsh Preserve, one of the few remaining freshwater tidal wetlands on the Potomac is best explored by kayak or canoe. Located on the west bank of the Potomac River south of Alexandria, Virginia between Old Town Alexandria and Mount Vernon. Dyke Marsh consists of about 380 acres of tidal marsh, floodplain, and swamp forest. […]
Almost Too Much to Do in Moraine State Park!!
Beginning with this post, I’m starting a series about things to do and see in Butler County, PA. This is the first installment. To see others in this series (once they’re published), click on the label “Butler County” below this post. Looking to enjoy the fall foliage? Take a boat ride on the Nautical Nature! […]
“Yaking” in the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
I’ve been to Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) several times, always excited to see and enjoy the birds and wildlife. With the purchase of our new kayak earlier this summer comes the opportunity to explore it by kayak. We visited the refuge about 2 weeks ago, in mid-September. Blackwater NWR was established in 1933 as […]
Wetipquin Creek Kayaking Adventure
The Nanticoke River is the largest Chesapeake Bay tributary on the lower Delmarva Peninsula, meandering gently through marshland, forests and farmland, on its journey from southern Delaware to Tangier Sound in Maryland. The Nanticoke watershed is also the most biologically diverse watershed on the Delmarva, and is home to the highest concentration of bald eagles […]
A New Look at a Lake Revisited
I’ve been visiting Lake Elkhorn, in Columbia, MD, for longer than two decades. Years of walking dogs around the lake has made the lake familiar and comforting. It’s one of my favorite places in Columbia, and despite its local popularity, it’s restful and relaxing. Lake Elkhorn is a 37-acre reservoir located in the Owen Brown […]
Reflections on Trap Pond
Freshwater wetlands once covered a large portion of southwestern Sussex County, DE. Featuring the northernmost natural stand of bald cypress trees in the United States, Trap Pond State Park retains a part of those wetlands’ original beauty and mystery. (The bald cypress is a wetland tree adapted to areas of calm, shallow standing water.) Ironically, […]
Getting Ready for Kayak Adventures!
Over the years of writing this blog, I’ve gone on several kayaking adventures — kayaking a sedate few miles down the Potomac River, checking out Maryland’s shipwrecked “ghost fleet” at Mallows Bay, and kayaking across the Assateague Narrows to go see the famous Assateague ponies come to mind. I’ve loved kayaking every time we go […]