Annapolis - Truxton Park

In early August we went out to Annapolis, MD on somewhat short notice with our friend Josh who was on a stand up paddle board (SUP).  We launched at the Truxtun Park boat ramp.  The drive there from DC was just about an hour.  There is a launch fee of $8 per car.  You pay at a machine near the ramp, receive a paper receipt that you then need to display on your dashboard.  The ramp was busy with other kayakers, paddleboarders, small fishing boats, and motorboats. 

Once launched you are in Spa Creek which was a nice sheltered marina area surrounded by houses/condos with little coves off to the sides.  There were SUP renters practicing and larger boats heading out to the bay.  We continued out of Spa Creek, under the draw bridge (very cool to see in action/up-close!) into Annapolis Harbor. 

We paddled out of Annapolis Harbor and turned right into the Severn River.  The water here is big.  The larger boats and the big water created some wave action.  Those waves then would hit off the sea wall and come back at us.  It was difficult paddling through but it was fun.  Definitely would not recommend for beginner flat water kayaker.  Josh managed to stay on his SUP.  Chad got seasick :(

We continued along the shoreline until we found a nice little deserted beach where we stopped for lunch.

On the way back we took some time to surf the waves coming in and tooled around downtown Annapolis.  Unfortunately most downtown places don't let you dock your boats to stop in for a drink/food.

This trip is easily customizable depending on how long you want to be out/how far you want to paddle.

Occoquan Reservoir

Sunday July 12, 2015

A group of friends decided to rent kayaks at the boat rental at Lake Ridge Park in Woodbridge, VA. The park was about a 50 minute drive from DC.  The park opens up onto Occoquan Reservoir.  There are other places to rent in the vicinity but this was the cheapest of them.

I met the group with my kayak around noon and had to pay a $3 launch fee, carrying my boat from the parking lot to the ramp (very short distance).  The park charges $6 if you unload the boat at the top of the ramp.  The distance between the parking lot and the top of the boat ramp is minimal so it is odd that they charge you that extra $3.  You can also rent john boats, SUPs, paddleboats, canoes.

The people I was with did a 2 hour rental so we were somewhat limited on time. Next time I go here, I will venture further.  Apparently you can paddle to Fountainhead from where we put in.  One of the other paddlers with us used an app called "Strava" (I think) that maps the route you paddled/time on the move.  We ended up paddling for about 45 minutes, going a distance of 2 miles and floating the rest of the time.  The app looked interesting and I will research using it.

Once you get out of the little cove where the boat launch is, you can either go left towards Fountainhead or right towards Sandy Run Regional Park.  We went left. If you go right, you will eventually hit the Occoquan Dam which limits the distance in that direction. Because this a reservoir there is no swimming as it is a source of drinking water.  Also, there is no current so you have to paddle to go anywhere.

The area was much more populated than yesterday's trip down the Monocacy, however since it is such a large space you didn't feel cramped.  There are some nice homes you paddle past and we saw a family of Canadian Geese floating by.  We also saw an impressive dive by an Osprey catching a fish.

Definitely will go back here.