--- FOSSIL COLLECTING ---
Though fossil collecting is not one of people’s great outdoor pastimes, it can be fun, particularly in the right setting. The setting in this case is along the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay in Calvert County. (Southern Maryland) The area is a 30 mile stretch from Chesapeake Beach to Cove Point. The fossils are on the beach courtesy of the erosion of the exposed cliffs. The search is for whale bones, crocodile plates, shark teeth, and other prehistoric goodies.
A good starting point for educational purposes, is the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons where Rt. 2-4 crosses the Patuxent River. There are 3 public access areas:
- Calvert Cliffs State Park. This is one of the few state parks where you can remove minerals found in the State Park. It closes in November, and the beach is 1.8 miles from the parking area. Contact: 301-872-5618, www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/southern/calvertcliffs.html
- Flag Pond Nature Park, is open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and on weekends. 410-586-1477, www.calvertparks.org
- Matoaka Cottages is open year round. Aside from the Cottages being a great access point to the beach, it a charming spot to visit. This former children’s camp is operated by Larry and Connie Smith, two very lovely people. The cottages are for rent and the beach is for swimming, fishing, and fossiling. The location is off of Calvert Beach Road in St. Leonard’s 410-586-0269, www.matoakabeachcabins.com