“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...
A collection of writing samples by Lesley Kontowicz