"A hop". Of course I took a wrong turn at some point, while trying to navigate my way to the Ellen O. Moyer Nature Park. The most surprising fact was that I have never heard of it! For several years I have intermittently researched places to put-in my kayak in Annapolis. I found the city very lacking in public places to access the harbor. I always felt that if I didn't have a yacht, sailboat or cruiser...I didn't belong. But I would often see folks cruising around the Annapolis waterways in their kayaks and I just figured that they lived in a water access community or knew someone who lived in one. The park appeared to be a small nature preserve among a boat yard and condo communities. A section of the park seemed abandoned, this fact was evidenced by the condition of the spider and cricket infested, key only, access bathrooms. Needless to say, I did my business quick!!! The park had two separate parking lots. The first and most important lot allowed one relatively easy access to the water via a small ramp and dock. The second parking lot was a bit of a hike (though a wooded path or along a not-too safe road) and was where I ultimately ended up as the first very small lot, quickly filled. The paddling event was sponsored by a non-profit called Annapolis Community Boating. The day before, I accessed the website on-line and payed $10 by Paypal ($10 with own kayak, $25 if you needed rental). The site said there would be a barbecue before the trek and that I must bring a side dish. I arrived with a black bean salad and my own veggie burger just in case. I would have found lots edible without my veggie burger and salad, as there was a plethora of various side dishes (potato salads, another bean salad, Asian slaw, green salad and chips).
The group was just as I expected, varied and laid back. Any group that charges me $10 bucks and asks me to bring a side, sounds like just my style. The evening was gorgeous and as the time grew close I got more and more excited at the idea of a nighttime paddle. I had witnessed a full-moon the night before but could only imagine how beautiful it would be seeing it from water. The description of the paddle said it would be on a back creek and would last about 1.5 hours. Everyone was given 3 glow sticks to attach to their boats to meet the night boating light requirements. I thought, "great, an easy peasy evening paddle". However, easy it was not.
As we started out into a boat filled marina inlet area I soon realized that we were heading toward the Chesapeake bay (Oh boy!). Not knowing what the plan was and not caring (they reviewed the plan before we left but I was busy taking sunset pictures), My nervousness grew as the waves grew bigger and bigger. Then I thought to myself..."It is past time challenge myself and my kayaking further, I've been paddling long enough". I figured the skill I had gained over my last 7-8 years of paddling would get me safely to whatever my destination.
As we manuvered around a jetty crashing with waves, I followed the instruction of my very helpful leaders and tried hard to hug the shoreline while water periodically splashed into my boat. The last few months of regular paddling had strengthened my arms and I steered my boat through the waves without much difficultly. The difficulty existed only in my own mind and I keep a running script of positive self talk going until I safely reached the shore.
I sponged the water out of my boat and then settled in to watch the water, share my fun on with my Facebook friends and take lots of pictures.
We stayed at the beach for a long while and enjoyed the sight until the darkness settled in. When our leaders called for us to prepare for our return journey I felt a pang of regret. I didn't want to leave such a beautiful place, beautiful sight, beautiful night. It was almost magical watching the glow sticks travel through the dark, knowing each three I saw was a kayak. Earlier when they handed me the glow stick, I laughed, never thinking it would work well, but it did.
For more information on these trips check out http://annapolisboating.com/
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