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Here are two links to posts dealing with how to post pictures on Black River Fossils forums.
1. How to Post Pictures on Black River Fossils Forums by ditchweezil
2. How to Post Pictures on Black River Fossils Forums by Daryl
Have never visited Calvert Cliffs and would like to take my two sons, 8 and 10 to look for fossil shark teeth. Where along the Calvert Cliffs would be the best first time excursion. Both boys are avid fossil hunters so they will definitely be up for any excercise. We are driving about 2 hours and I want to have the best chance for success for them. Thanks all and have a great day!!
The cliffs are constantly falling without any notice and isn't a safe place for kids. I would suggest Flag Ponds Nature Park. It is a great place to take kids. The walk to the beach is only an easy 1/2 mile walk. You can see the cliffs from this area but the beach itself is a very safe place for kids. You will want to arrive at low tide and hunt the incoming tide for best results. Hope this helps and good luck!
I agree that Flag Ponds is probably your best bet considering you have children. I have two young sons and do not take them where I normally collect because of the dangerous tall cliffs. Flag Ponds is a nice park and even has a visitor center with restrooms and a soda machine. Inside are some display cases with sample fossils that can be found down along the beach. There's usually a fee to enter the park, but I'm not sure the exact amount if you're out of state (less than $10 per car I believe). The walk down to the beach is probably a little less than 1/2 mile along a paved/gravel road. Near the end of the road is a small bath-house with restrooms and a place to wash your feet off (during summer). Once you hit the beach you can walk all the way to the right (south) but do not go past the pier. Beyond that point is a no trespassing sign as you approach the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear power plant. You can walk to the left (north) as far as you want. I usually find more teeth way to the left, or way right because I think most folks do most of their searching right there when you hit the beach. Recommend you bring a backpack for some snacks/water etc. If going during cold weather, you'll need boots, otherwise when the water is warm it's fine to go with water shoes. I don't recommend barefoot becasue of the possibility of glass and the shark pieces of shells.
If you can fit it into your schedule, I would also highly recommend a visit to the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomon's, MD. It's only 10 minutes further south on Route 4 just before you get to the Solomon's bridge on the left. There's a lot of neat fossils, Chesapeake Bay history stuff, and even a tank to see some aquatic like such as turtles, stingrays, and fish. I'm a member and pay an annual fee, so I'm not sure what the costs are per person for adults and kids, but I think it was around $25 for my family of four to get in when we paid for a one time visit. You can check the museum website for dates of when they hold "sharkfest". This is a fun time for the kids because they get to see lots of fossils and even get to search for some I think.
Here's a couple links for Flag Ponds:http://www.dnr.state.md.us/baylinks/14.htmlhttp://calvert-county.com/flagpond.htm
Email me if you need directions or a link to the tide chart for Flag Ponds, or if you need the link or other info on the museum.
Daryl.
I have found that when my sons (8 & 12) are with me that I have to shift my concerns to safety, from that of going crazy for those teeth. The area that we fossil hunt is prime for gators and snakes. Walking up on the creek and river banks we have come up on both. My wife is not always happy when we go to a new area to explore. Working in EMS, I have tought my kids some simple first aid, and how to use the cell phone. My oldest son is able to carry a knife also for protection. Knowing that anything bad can happen when out in nature, I have felt that the key is education and respect to teach the kids. I would recomend a CPR course for all kids and teach them how to call for help on 911. A simple overnite survival kit is also not a bad thing to carry. Also let people know where your are going to hunt. My wife is always knows the area of the Peace river that we are on. Having seen the effects on poor planning and not teaching the kids on how to act in an emergency, I harp on all of use to do this with our kids. Safety, education and respect of the outdoors is a great for any child. Plus the rewards of fossil hunting and just spending time with our kids.
Having been is a bad spot with my boys and been lucky that mild dehidration and sunburn was all we had wory about, I have taken this lesson to heart.
Be safe and have fun!!!!!
Curt