Just A Paddler: Paddling around Jug Bay on the Patuxent

Over the last few years I have developed a theory. It seems that the paddlers who host often have themes they follow. Maybe they prefer quiet paddles on gentle waters. Others prefer long trips, or the wind-swept waters of the Chesapeake Bay. I have also noticed hosts sometimes have a "signature" paddle. It might be a trip that they run every year, often a highlight of the season.

DJ comes to mind with respect to a signature paddle. He first introduced me and a bunch of other paddlers to the lotus blossoms on the Mattawoman. Since that time, every year, he has run one or several events around the same annual appearance of these spectacular blooms.

I tend to think my own "signature" event is paddling Jug Bay on the Pax in the autumn. This lovely natural wetland is largely untouched by neighboring development. This means there are large swaths of wetland without houses pressing in on the sides. There are several different authorities overseeing the area, but for us it is one large wet wander-land. There are many creeks meandering into Jug Bay, giving us the open door to explore and generally poke around. The area changes dramatically with each season but autumn tends to be my favorite.

I hosted a Saturday trip, trying to catch the leaves at a color peak. I missed the peak by a bit but we had a wonderful time poking up into the Western Branch, going as far as possible. Then we stopped at the Mt Calvert House and ate lunch on the lawn before touring the house. Lastly we paddled down to Mattaponi Creek before pulling out at Selby Landing. By all accounts, a lovely day.