Words That Play

“The first river you paddle runs through the rest of your life. It bubbles up in pools and eddies to remind you who you are.” ~ Lynn Culbreath Noel When seen from above, waterways resemble Mother Earth’s arteries, delivering sustenance throughout the land. Look at a map of Kent County, Maryland and you’ll immediately see the plethora of arterial canals that feed this vibrant area. From freshwater rivers and streams to saltwater inlets and bays, paddling enthusiasts know these channels deliver many gifts to those who go with the flow. Two hundred years before Lewis and Clark made their westward expedition, John Smith charted the waters around the Chesapeake Bay, mapping an estimated 3,000 miles, known today as the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail—an all-water trail system within the National Park Service. Discover two of those trails, the Chester River and Sassafras River water trails, in Kent County: Sassafras River Water Trail This 20-plus mil...

April showers bring May flowers, and when coupled with the melting snow cap around Great Falls , they also bring rushing rivers—a condition that fishing and floating enthusiasts dream of. Whether with kayak, canoe, raft or river dory, there’s plenty of the stuff to float your boat, and if waders are the way you roll, you might want to use a belt. The Wild & Scenic Missouri Elsewhere, the Missouri River may be called the “Big Muddy” but its cool, clear headwaters flowing through Great Falls are anything but. The Upper Missouri’s natural beauty could be why in 1976 Congress designated 149 miles downstream of Fort Benton as a “National Wild & Scenic River,” promising unspoiled and unobstructed waterway wilderness. Or maybe it’s for the river’s historic value? In 1805 Meriwether Lewis and William Clark spent weeks paddling the Missouri during their famed expedition, and today the river continues to be a celebrated place to dip an oar. Hire an outfitter for a multi-day ex...