Nov 7, 2024
by David Cottingham
On an unseasonably warm and sunny day, 8 CCA paddlers (Rich Conde in OC-1;
Tony Allred, John Burwell, Hugh Hilliard, Peter Ryan, Joe Cholka, Danielle Socher,
and David Cottingham in K-1s) ventured to Downs Park in Anne Arundel County
MD to paddle on Bodkin Creek and Bodkin Bay and narrowly into the main body of
the Chesapeake Bay. Downs Park has 2 kayak launch sites. We used the Locust
Grove kayak launch and paddled across Bodkin Bay about 2 miles to Hancock
Resolution Park. The shoreline here is heavily developed with homes and power boat
docks interspersed with some county park protected natural areas.
Nancy Allred, Tony’s sister, is a Master Gardener at the historic Hancock Resolution
Park which was farmed by the Hancock family since the late 1600s. The Hancock
House dates to about 1785. Nancy provided us a wonderful tour of the garden and
visitors center. Thanks Nancy for joining us and to Tony for suggesting a place to
paddle that was previously unknown to the group.
Photos Below
Locust Cove Put In