Mark’s Score 9.1
It was the end of summer and I was in Annapolis for a doctor’s appointment. After my appointment, I decided to go for a little hike at the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center (CBEC). In the summer, I usually limit my walks to in-town shorter trails. The CBEC is a nice transition from in-town hikes to longer hikes in our national and state parks.
In 1981 the Wildfowl Trust of North America purchased a 315-acre (127.5 hectare) farm in Grasonville, with the intent of returning the land to its natural state as a conservation project for the benefit of waterfowl. In 1985 it opened to the public as the Horsehead Wetlands Center. By the mid-1990s an extensive trail system had been built on the property for the purpose of public-education and wildlife-viewing. In 1998 the trust purchased another 195 acres (79 hectares). In 2002 the name was changed to the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center in recognition of its expanded role of habitat restoration, environmental education, and stewardship of the bay; while continuing to provide outdoor recreation for the general public. The State of Maryland recognizes the center as a location for developing and testing restoration techniques.
I had only visited this park once before, and even though it is hard by the Annapolis’ suburbs on Kent Island, it is a bit hard to find. It is located on an isolated peninsula jutting out into Prospect Bay just south of the Kent Narrows. There are multiple trails at the CEBC, but I had already lost half the day so I chose to walk the Hummock Loop and Marshy Creek Trails, which are two of the shorter trails. I had barely parked my car and started down the Hummock Loop when I ran into two white-tailed deer. As I rounded a bend in the trail, there they were standing right in front of me. All three of us nearly jumped out of our skins.
The Marshy Creek Trail cuts through the forest past Lake Knapp, at the end of the trail you arrive at the Marshy Creek Pier from where you can launch a kayak. The rental kayaks are stacked along the trial as you approach the pier. You rent the kayaks at the visitor center where they hand you the paddles and life preservers, you then just walk to the end of the trail and select a kayak and you are off.
On my way back to the car, I intended to stop in the visitor center. As I walked toward the center the attendant was picking figs from the Celeste fig tree in front of the center. She handed me a couple to sample as I asked questions about their kayak tours on Marshy Creek.
If you have not visited here, it is well worth the drive out. There are educational events, organized tours, an extensive trail system, lovely views of the Narrows and marshlands, and plenty of dear, and waterfowl. It is a beautiful way to spend a perfect autumn day.
What else is there to do on Kent Island?
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