February 27, 1999

The Invisible Island

Trip #9

Map

Today I paddled my kayak for the first time with a partner. We had planned to meet about 8:00am at Belle Haven Marina, but I got there a little early. It takes me a while to unload the truck and stow it away inside the kayak, and I wanted to take the kayak out for a quick spin before Joan showed up.

Like all of my trips, I try to have a goal or two to accomplish while on the water. Today it would be to test my freshly installed Seaward rudder system. After loading up the kayak and parking the truck I jumped in the kayak and piddled around in the little inlet next to the boat rental area. I spent a few minutes adjusting the rudder pedals and straps and had just finished up when Joan drove up.

We exchanged hellos and carried her boat to the water and set off to find Goose Island. Actually, we had agreed in advance to head 'towards' Goose Island, and if either of us got tired we would turn around and head back. Exiting the inlet we turned North into the Potomac passing the rest of the marina. Just to the North of the marina is a big bay which eventually narrows to become Hunting Creek.

The wind was blowing hard, but the waves were not large and seemed confused. We stayed to the left and followed the bay around trying to avoid the worst of the wind. At least until our paddles started turning more mud than water. Unable to follow the bay along the bank any longer, we headed straight across to Jones Point. The Guillemot was tracking straight. A task I would not have been able to accomplish before the rudder in this type of wind. Joan's Breeze was also tracking well and this allowed us to stay close enough to have a conversation for most of the time.

Rounding Jones Point and heading under the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, we encountered the full force of the wind. Progress was slow, but we also were using just a steady, a little slow, touring/site seeing pace. If I had been alone I would have probably quickly burned out trying to get through the wind. For today, slow was good. I couldn't get over how hard the wind was blowing, but only about 6-8 inch waves. Even so, I was looking forward to the return trip to see how the rudder handled in following seas.

Having passed the bridge, which marked the almost half way point to the Island, I started looking. On Street Atlas and my tidal Potomac River map the Island was a decent size. Clearly between 1/6 and 1/8 the width of the river in diameter, we should have no problem seeing it...but it must be up further than I thought, because I don't see it. Joan pointed out and identified several buildings to me on river left.

Paddling further and further North I check the GPS and find we're beyond where the Island is...err was...umm supposed to be. The whole trip was to be between 6 1/2 - 7 miles long. Here we were at 3.6 miles out as the crow flies, and there is no island! We're both about ready for some lunch, and Joan spots 2 likely landing areas. One has a picnic table, so it was an easy decision on which spot to choose.

Landing was uneventful and I even managed to get out of the kayak without making a big splash. I took off my wet gloves and exchanged them for a drier pair and unloaded lunch from the kayak. After boiling some water for Cappuccino and hot chocolate we ate lunch and chatted for a few minutes. Joan had gotten the beginnings of a few blisters on her hands so I actually got to break out my first aid kit for the first time. A few Band-Aids later we were all loaded back up and headed South looking again for Goose Island.

The forecast had called for diminishing winds in the afternoon, and I was disappointed the following seas were not following like I had hoped. There was enough to judge there was substantial improvement in my tracking. Joan was also tracking well but she did say the back end felt a little less in control, and had to work harder to keep her boat straight.

By the time we got back to the marina the water was smooth and Joan suggested we paddle down to Dyke Marsh. What I had thought was a connected peninsula was actually two distinct Islands. I had paddled part of this general area the last time here, but Joan knew a lot more about its layout. After a short little bit we headed back to the marina even though Joan was having a blast and didn't want to leave. At the marina I took out her little Breeze for a few minutes and was really impressed at how well it tracked. Its larger cockpit and taller deck made it easy for me to get in and out of, and there was plenty of room for my feet. Considering how well it tracked, it also wasn't hard to turn.

After loading up the boats and gear we said our good-byes and briefly discussed paddling next weekend. The rudder installation was a big success although I still want to try it in some larger following seas. It wasn't until I returned home that my wife told me my face was sunburned...Spring is almost here!

And whoever took Goose Island...please put it back.