October 16, 1999

My first Mile - A Second Maiden Voyage

Trip #56

16 Oct, 1999

16.3 miles

MAP

As I started to unload the new Gulfstream on the boat ramp of Fountainhead State Park, I realized I didn't want to set the stern on the rough ramp. On the Guillemot the rudder pin is a first to touch as I lower it off the truck, protecting it's fiberglass coat from the harsh pavement. As a last minute thought, I tossed my PFD to the ground where I expected to sit the stern and lowered the back of the boat. I then went to the cockpit and hoisted her into the air and carried it to the green Astroturf.

The newly 303 covered body was slick. The Astroturf, slanted ramp, and 303 combination made for a kayak wanting to slide into the water as if raring to go whether I was aboard or not. After finding out I couldn't open the hatches because they were too slick, I took a towel and soaked up as much of the 303 as I could. I could then open the hatches and store my gear.

Joan called to tell me she was running late. This would give me a few minutes to play. I paddled off as the fog about a foot thick rose off the water to vanish into thin air. The first thing I noticed was my right handedness. I hadn't noticed it when I demo'd the boat. But here it was, and I did have to correct for it pretty often. The water was mirror flat with no wind. I paddled out a quarter of a mile and turned back for the ramp. After adjusting the foot pegs out a notch I slid back into the water and glided to the other side of the reservoir.

After a little sculling and slipping the kayak side to side, I turned to face towards the ramp, crossed my arms and leaned back. I couldn't help smile as I took in the beauty of the changing leaves, the quiet crisp air, and the beaver crossing my bow.

Joan showed up earlier than I expected so I quickly paddled back to the ramp to meet her. After loading up her boat we headed east towards the dam. The water remained calm and we quite slowly meandered our way through the reservoir. Most of the boats were using electric motors, and the rowing sculls made only a 'woosh woosh' sound. Within what seemed like no time at all the dam appeared. We were about four and a half miles from the ramp. It just didn't seem like it. We beached near the power lines for lunch.

On the bank was a small one person boat upside down. This seemed a little strange since it had Maryland registration numbers but we were in Virginia. I wrote down the registration numbers and I'll call it in on Monday to see if it is stolen.

After lunch I let Joan paddle my kayak back to the boat ramp. Again this seemed to take no time at all. I looked at my watch and knew we were putting on some distance, but the cool, windless morning and the great colors in the trees made it seem like a stroll through the park. After a short break on shore I decided to wade out up to my thighs in my Polartec Thermal Stretch farmer john. It was freakin cold! Much colder than my wetsuit. Joan mentioned that maybe the water needed to warm up inside, so I waded out again and made myself stay. After the initial rush the water did warm after a minute or two and felt ok. I surmise that the fuzzy inner fleece allows more water to enter initially so there is more water to warm than with the wetsuit. After warming up it felt much better. Not like my wetsuit, but fairly close. When I walked out of the water the garment stayed warm, but there was no wind to chill it down. The huge advantage of this garment is it's comfort while paddling. It is soft and supple, much more than my wetsuit.

We paddled off again, this time towards the fork where Bull Run Creek and the Occoquan join together. Again a beautiful trip. On past the remains of Ryan's dam, and several fishermen trying out their luck.

I noticed what appeared to be a piece of trash in a tree overhanging the water. I paddled closer expecting to see something like a Wal-Mart bag stuck in the tree, but instead found an odd looking bird. It had a red head, much like a chicken. It had a dark underside and white topside with long white tail feathers.

Despite Joan and I paddling all around and underneath it, the bird seemed not to care, so we paddled on. We arrived at the fork in the river and turned to head back. Once back at the ramp a guy was unloading his kayak. I asked him if he was a member of CPA and his response was "what is CPA?"

Earlier I had shown Joan some pieces of paper I had printed up with club info and the info for the list server. I fished one out of my wallet and handed it to the guy and we finished loading up our boats and headed home. At home I calculated 16.3 miles minimum. This would rank as my third longest in miles, yet the shortest in "mental distance".