January 30, 1999

A day of bridges

Trip #5

Map A Map B

I started a little later than I wanted and the wind is starting to kick up a small chop. Today's launch is at Gravelly Point, just north of Ronald Reagan International Airport on the Potomac. I always try to make the first half of my trip the hardest; paddling against the current and against the wind. Today would be no different but since I usually get on the water early, the wind is usually quiet for the first hour of paddling. Greg Hollingsworth wasn't kidding in his review of this launch site being close to the airport. The airport's approach lights run right through this little park!

I like to warm up slowly, but the wind was requiring me to put more effort than I wanted for a warm up. To make things easier I ferry across and take advantage of the lee on the far side near the bank. The Washington Monument is the most predominant feature on the landscape for miles around. The monument is covered all the way to the top with scaffolding while renovations take place. I can also make out the Capital building as I ferry across, but it is out of sight once I get to the other side.

The first set of bridges is a cluster of five: A train bridge, Metro (subway), US 1, and two bridges for I-395 (north and south bound) As I near the second I-395 bridge I notice a small log bobbing along. As I get closer to it though, I notice that it is moving a little unnaturally so I swing in for a closer look. At first I thought it might be a beaver, but as I got closer I see it is a pigeon. I have to admit, I'm not too fond of these birds, but this poor thing was having a hard time keeping his head above water. Thinking it might be diseased I used my paddle to lift up the bird and put it on my bow. I then paddled closer to the bank and once close enough lift him up on shore with my paddle. I may have just prolonged his suffering, but I like to think he warmed up and flew off while I paddled off.

Bridge #6 is the Memorial Bridge and crosses over to the Lincoln memorial. As I pause long enough to take a few pictures, I take note of all the joggers. Up and down the shoreline as far as I can see people are out getting exercise. At the closest point to the memorial from the water there are a *lot* of steps heading up near the monument. One of the joggers is running up and down the steps. Rocky style.

Across the river are Arlington cemetery and the grave of John F. Kennedy. Even though I can't see it, over behind the Lincoln memorial is the Vietnam veteran's memorial. I remember when the family and I visited the Vietnam memorial a few years back. I couldn't bring myself to actually walk down to the wall and stayed back as my wife and kids walked down to see it. This section of river seems like such a sad place to be all the sudden.

Bridge #7 is the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge. I take the East (long) path around Roosevelt Island. While cruising along I suddenly realize I'm being overtaken by another rowing craft. This thing looks like a kayak with an upturned bow and stern and a place for 5 people to sit. There is also a large outrigger to the side. This isn't like the rowing scows like I'm used to seeing with everyone sitting backwards and moving the boat forward with oars and sliding seats. This craft is paddled like a canoe and has no sliding seats.

As I round the end of Roosevelt Island I see some large signs like those seen in the outfield in a baseball park. The signs are just above the water and look like they are attached to the concrete bank up ahead. From here I make out the word "Fox" and I think how tacky it is to advertise this way. But as I get closer, the word "Fox" becomes a 4-letter "F" word followed by "Kenneth Starr". The other signs I can now tell are spray painted and contain either school or gang names.

Bridge #8, the Key Bridge is my final vehicle bridge for this trip. The guy who said there is more than one way to do something must have been referring to bridges when he said that. Not one of the bridges shares a single common feature and the Key Bridge is no different. A bridge of arches, with tall narrow arches filling in above the main arches.

My preplanning had this point as where I turn around and head back. According to the GPS I had traveled only 3 miles (as the crow flies) and I wasn't yet tired so I pressed on. Up in the middle of the river is 3 Sisters Islands, which turns out to not be islands at all. Instead, they are just 3 rather large boulders. On the first I found a few ducks sleeping and I moved in close to get a picture. The click from my camera woke them up but they remained calm and didn't panic even though I could have reached out and touched them. From here on up the river the city seemed to fade away even with no leaves on the trees. The steep bank hid the hustle and bustle and the paddle became quiet and peaceful.

Another half a mile or so and I start to hear rushing water. I can't see any rapids but the sound of rushing water is loud. Finally a side stream comes into view and water is rushing through what seems to be a small dam. This water appears treated though and has an artificial green color to it. A little farther up and the sea gulls are flocking around something. I paddle up to find another stream feeding water with a high solid content into the river. The gulls are diving in trying to get something but I can't tell what it is. I paddle just a little further and decide to head back after eating lunch in the kayak.

The water is moving downstream pretty fast. I hadn't noticed while paddling against it but I just enjoy the ride while scarfing down my lunch. The GPS says I'm 4.5 miles from the put-in and I hope the paddle back is a quick one.

People are now out in force jogging, walking, and roller blading up and down the riverbank. My wooden kayak draws a lot of attention and more than once I notice someone stop and check me out. I'm beginning to feel a little self-conscious and try to make sure my paddling is somewhat straight. I take the western track around Roosevelt Island this time around. This brings me under a small pedestrian bridge that allows people to cross over to Roosevelt Island. About 6 or 7 people stop on the bridge to watch me pass under and now I *am* self-conscious about my paddling.

The wind has died and the water turned to glass. It's a long paddle back under the remaining bridges and I'm glad to see the inlet leading to the put-in. There are people now at the boat ramp and I'm too tired to make a nimble exit from the kayak. A controlled tip/slip slide and I'm out and standing with big smiles on everyone's face. I mumble something about "being too tired to make it look graceful" to the people close by and they nod in agreement.

After getting home and downloading the GPS track into the computer I find today's paddle covered 11 miles. This is my longest trip yet and I'm feeling a little bit of it tonight.