June 26, 1999

This Is The Good Life

Trip #30

MAP

11.5 miles

Several people would say it before we launched; the diversity in boats was incredible. Sixteen people in fourteen boats would launch this day from Galesville Maryland. Boats ranging from stitch and glue, fiberglass, a stripper, rotomold, to skin on frame and inflatable!

As I unloaded my kayak, I passed the inflatable being pumped plump full of air. I thought certainly this double kayak would never keep up with the faster hard material boats. At least the pace will be nice and slow with them along. Or so I thought.

After introductions, paperwork, and the safety brief, we were on the water and heading North around the marina. Nick Meman is our leader (and coordinator) for this leg of the journey, with David Stambaugh as sweep and Brian Blankinship and Joy Hecht acting as rovers.

Within moments we were seeing rays breaking the surface of the water nearby. The one I saw was only about a foot across, but some of the other boaters saw some that were much larger. This is also the point that I noticed the inflatable double was keeping up well, and I found myself working a tad harder to keep up with it. The pilot and co-pilot were obviously some sort of hybrid human - outboard engine. "Not to worry", I thought, "They'll tire early".

Somewhere around Popham creek a lone kayaker minus any gear other than a paddle appeared heading our way. He had seen us from a distance and paddled out to chat and ask a few questions. By the time he left he had exchanged info with Mike and Neysa about joining the club. Hopefully we'll have a new member soon.

When we got near the three islands that were our destination, it was still pretty early so we paddled down to the Smithsonian wildlife area and up Muddy creek. Brian warned about a male swan we saw is known to be pretty aggressive so we cautiously gave him and his family a wide berth. Beyond the swan a few of us relaxed in the shade while others paddled further up the creek. While waiting for the others to come back, Neysa offered me a lifetime supply of the club newsletter in trade for my kayak. It's hard to turn down anyone who just paddled 5+ miles in an inflatable boat, but resist to the end I did.

When the others returned we paddled back past Big Island and landed on Flat Island for lunch. Nick immediately began to toss children off the island and into the shark infested....um... I mean the wiener dog infested water surrounding the island. After I inhaled my lunch I was eager to try and see if my roll had disappeared. So into the boat and out a little way from shore. The Pawlata was no problem, and even stronger and more confident then before. The screw roll however, was still no where to be found. I'm sure I'm still bringing my head up too soon, and Brain mentioned that to me when I got back to shore.

Nick took my kayak out for a spin and quickly learned why I added a rudder. He was kind and said, "It likes the wind", but I could tell the boat was acting, as Joan later said, "like a horse wanting to turn back towards the stables".

During this trip I noticed Brian working on using a bow rudder so I tried to pay attention when I saw him doing it. I'm not certain I really know where it would be useful, but I'll add it to the things I want to occasionally practice and add to the "bag o'tricks".

I also watched him extend his paddle vertically and then tip over, slapping the water with his paddle and coming back upright. This looked more like a trick than something useful, but a roll looks like a trick to someone who doesn't know better. Something more to add to the stack of things to learn. And I haven't even attempted an offside roll yet.

When we were ready to depart we were herded together for an assisted T-Rescue demonstration. Nick showed us several methods while Brian described each one, pointing out the plus and minuses of each. Nick was stung by a Sea Nettle while performing for the crowd. I wanted to try, but didn't want to volunteer after Nick got stung. Joan produced some Adolf's Meat Tenderizer for Nick from her first aid kit and Nick indicated later that it worked great.

On the trip back we somehow got dispersed over about a half-mile. With this much distance between all of us, there was no choice for boats but to cut through the middle of us from time to time. Joan tried at one point to signal the forward group with a storm whistle, but they could not hear her from this far away. Actually I was surprised that the whistle didn't sound all that loud from 100 feet away. Eventually I think the folks out front realized it was getting lonely and stopped for everyone else to catch up.

I should point out I never saw the inflatable kayak again until we beached at the put in. There were rumors that some of the hard shell kayaks were able to surf the bow wave, but this is pure rumor mind you. I find it more likely that they were pulled along in the large vacuum created by the tremendous speed of the inflatable. Never again will I doubt the capabilities of a boat in the hands of a strong paddler. Mike and Neysa had one heck of a workout, and my hat's off to the both of them for their persistence.

After we beached and loaded the kayaks up, many of us crossed the street to replenish fluids and sit on the top deck of the pub and watch the boats. Meeting new people and starting what I hope may be friendships to last years to come. People from all walks of life sharing a common passion, each in an individualistic way. This is the good life.