TRAVEL - MARYLAND PARK WITH TEETH

THE JAWS OF THE PAST
By Jim Foster

It still amazes me there are parts and places of this great country where time seem to renew itself constantly. History is the understanding of our past and our past makes us what we are today. There has always been a sad place in my heart for those not interested or concerned with our history.

This past summer with the encouragement and under the guidance of travel guru Connie Yingling, my travels carried me across the Virginia line into Maryland and then to the Chesapeake Bay for several adventures. Being the outdoors person I am it was the Calvert Cliffs State Park that grabbed my attention.

These cliffs dominate the shoreline of the Chesapeake Bay and cover almost thirty miles in Calvert County.

These huge Miocene cliffs rise over 100 feet over the Bay and are slowly eroding at the rate of almost 3 feet per year. Created over 10 million years ago and as the waters receded, the sea floor became exposed and sea life that was to become fossils were concentrated in the Miocene bottom. These cliffs are the most extensive assemblage of Miocene fossils in the eastern United States.

It is here that fossils have been found and identified of over 600 species of marine life. Some fossils were formed over 15 million years ago when a warm, shallow sea covered all of Southern Maryland.

The most common fossils are sharks teeth from various species shark measuring from extremely small to well over 5 or 6 inches. I met a park employee with a large sharks tooth necklace. Yes, removing fossils from the beach area ad the park is allowed.

Along with the interesting cliffs, the park offers nature trails, picnic areas, playground equipment, fishing and many interpretative programs as well as hunting.

Of the 1079 acres of the park are designated as a wildlands area, 550 acres are open to hunting for upland game, turkey and deer. Turkey hunting is permitted only during the spring gobbler season. Deer hunting is permitted during seasons established by the Wildlife Division.

Along with the interesting cliffs, the park offers nature trails, picnic areas, playground equipment, fishing and many interpretative programs of interest of travels and nature lovers.

While visitors are no longer allowed access to the cliffs themselves, they are more than welcome to walk and dig in the sand and water looking for fossils. The park also contains a small fishing pond and a playground made from recycled tires. Picnic tables and shelters are also available. A side trip to Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Sanctuary or Calvert Marine Museum would tie in wonderfully before or after visiting the park.

The park is located 14 miles south of Prince Frederick on Maryland Routes 2 & 4. Calvert Cliffs State Park is operated and maintained jointly by the "Friends of Calvert Cliffs State Park" and the State Forest and Park Service.

Oh yes, I know I will get mail - the Chesapeake Bay Fishing is GREAT!

For additional information Contact Calvert County Tourism, 410-535-4583, 1-800-735-2258 or the Maryland Office of Tourism; www.visitmaryland.com

If you have comments or news for Jim Foster please e-mail him at: jim@jimfosteroutdoors.com