Kayaking on San Domingo Creek, Saint Michaels, Maryland

While visiting the Eastern Shore of Maryland, we rented some kayaks from Shore Pedal & Paddle and explored San Domingo Creek, a waterway on the south side of Saint Michaels. We met with the guy at Waterfront Park. He had us quickly launched after a standard safety overview and recommendations for areas to see and to avoid.

We had two tandem kayaks. The kids decided they did not want to have their own kayak, so Mom went with our youngest while I went with our daughter. 

Getting used to the oars

Just off the dock is a small boat anchored in place. It has a bunch of vegetables growing on it in pots, as if it were a floating garden. 

No humans on board

We paddled out further into the creek, exploring the variety of side ways and their waterfront properties.

Choosing where to go

Fancy, older-looking house

Moving on

We only saw a bit of wild life. Most birds were streaking through the air, making them hard to photograph. We stopped for a break in the shade by one shoreline and saw a bunch of unoccupied shells.

Bird on the wing

Shell-ters for mollusks!

Another fancy house

We were surprised to see a ship out in the middle of the creek. There was no sign of life onboard. It was 10 in the morning, so either the crew was sleeping in or they had already gone off in a smaller boat.

Looks majestic

Is it really from Juneau, Alaska?

Maybe they could have parked over here

One of the things I like to do kayaking is going underneath structures. Most personal docks are very low to the water and even a kayak couldn't fit under. We did find a taller dock.

Going under, in the good way

Just past our passageway

Passing another property

Yet another house

Pilings are out in the middle of the creek for some reason. A few of them had nests built on top. This nest looks like it is still under construction.

Needs more work

Another bird that was moving too quick

I couldn't decide if this was a better shot, so I included both

The other kayak got into the "go under the dock" routine.

Almost like going under a bridge

We knew we were back to start when we saw the veg ship again.

Back at base

I spotted a bridge not too far away, so we went for one more adventure. 

St. Michaels Nature Trail Covered Bridge

While underneath

Houses on the other side of the bridge

Going back

Since we visited over Flag Day weekend, a lot of patriotic decorations were up. It was a fun area for kayaking.

Minnesota Trip Summer 2025

Once we got to Granny and Grandpa's house we relaxed and didn't do anything. Haha!

We drove down to visit with my wife's cousin and played Puttshack minigolf. It was fun and high tech. The balls had chips in them. The tees would scan the chip and put the player's name on a screen over the hole. The score was kept automatically, so it must have had some sort of motion sensor technology. The hole detected when the ball came in too. Each hole had some theme and tricks. For example, the trivia hole had two paths, True or False, based on the question that appeared on the screen when the ball was detected by the tee. Most of the questions were Wisconsin-centric, making it easier for the home players. We were good sports about it and helped each other out. 

The players

Too young for beer pong?

Putting

Drummer's hole

The scoring was odd. A hole in one was (I think) 60 points, with possible bonus points based on the particular hole. Par 2 was 50 points, par 3 was 40, etc. So a higher score is better. Each course of the many courses is nine holes and players can do one set of nine or multiple sets. We did two sets, so eighteen holes, though our score was not cumulative.

My nemesis--where are the guard rails?!?

A wide shot

My wife and I went dancing at Wabasha Street Caves. The caves have a colorful history too detailed to relay here, but it does involve gangsters and Prohibition. The venue has tours now and is rentable for weddings, corporate gatherings, etc. We went to the Thursday night swing dance which was a lot of fun.

Doesn't look like caves, does it?

Tables by the entrance

The dance floor forms an L with the stage for the band in the corner of the L.

Dance floor and stage

The other part of the dance floor

Westwind Swing Band

The next main tunnel has the bar area (parallel to the long leg of the L), which had some overflow dancers and free water and other beverages. 

Less populated bar area

I saw another area that seemed like a third cave behind the bar wall but it was blocked off for maintenance. I am not sure how extensive the caves run. Maybe we will do a tour on a future trip.

I went on a geocaching run with Grandpa and we also hit up Thunder Brothers Brewery in Isanti, a small brewery that had some nice ales on offer. I had the Cumulus Cream Ale which was delightful.

Thunder Brothers

While at the house, the cats longed for a little wander outside.

Maybe there are mice in the garden?

Hoping for something to chase!

Our cousin visited with her toddler son. We saw a lot of his walking around and interacting with everyone, including one of the cats! My kids made him a hat but it turned out to be too small (and the wrong season). He was not too keen on wearing it, but that's okay. He's so cute!

Cousins!

Staring contest

Cat loses

On the swing

We went out on their canoe and kayak to explore their lake.

Kayak in tall rice

Getting out

Our boat

Awesome flower

It was a fun and refreshing time at Granny and Grandpa's house.

Kayaking in Annapolis March 2025

We rented kayaks from Paddle Annapolis, a small company on the Eastport peninsula at the end of March 2025. With a spring break vacation in Virginia Beach looming, we wanted to practice our skills before hitting more challenging work much further down the Chesapeake Bay. 

The company has a small and easy launch into Spa Creek.

Mom and youngest getting into their kayak

A successful launch

She launched earlier

Spa Creek is on the south side of downtown Annapolis, where the Capitol and the Naval Academy and the tourist bits are located. The creek is lined with lots of large and impressive houses, along with numerous personal docks and boats.

Downtown thataway!

We headed up the creek, leaving downtown for the return trip since the wind would favor us on the way back.

Ships near the launch area

We had fun going under Compromise Street/6th Street bridge (which we drove over to get to the kayak place).

Nicely in sync

Crossing on the left

I went through the middle of the bridge, the draw bridge part, and enjoyed seeing the signs. I am not sure what the speed limit sign is (miles or knots or metric) but I am sure I was not exceeding it.

If you need the phone number at this point, you are in trouble

Interesting height gauge

Looking up at the road

On the other side, traffic was not too busy. We had fun waving to larger boats going in the other direction.

We had this boat surrounded (see the blue kayak on the other side?)

Some fancy houses

A mega-house

Snacking on the water was fun though I had trouble docking with the other boats in the middle of the water.

Powering up for more rowing

Two thirds of our fleet

More houses and docks

Doesn't want her picture taken

More photophilic

Houses ready for high water

A dog barking at us

We saw the Charles Carroll House from the water, with the spire of Saint Mary's Catholic Church behind it.

Historic home

Going back under the bridge

On the way back under the bridge, we turned left at the Annapolis Yacht Club to paddle down Ego Alley, a small branch of Spa Creek leading into downtown.

Annapolis Yacht Club

The Naval Academy

The gas station!

We saw some birds on the water but it was hard to get close enough to get a picture before they would scatter. The ducks by downtown were more photophilic.

Sittin' on the dock of the bay

Hoping for some droppings?

The downtown waterfront

More of the same

On the way back to the kayak rental place, I was able to photograph one of the birds that hangs out on the buoys. 

Watch out for that other boat!

This Harry-Potter themed boat made me laugh.

Is it the broom or the ball?

After returning our kayaks we headed back to an old favorite, the Iron Rooster, for lunch. I ordered the Crab Hash, which was delightful.

An earned meal