July 2, 2000

Eat My Dust

Bull Run

MAP

8.8 Miles

I wake up and wow - I'm not sore from the previous day. I think I will like this new forward stroke. It's early and I head for Bull Run Marina. This is my first launch from there this year. Open only on Friday and the weekends during spring/summer, Bull Run is a peaceful place to launch as only 10 HP motors and less are allowed on the reservoir. The Marina only rents electric motors and the morning would pass without me running across a single boat under gasoline power.

I headed north west passing several young adults running their trolling motors at full blast trying to out run me. But their futile attempt was only amusing to me as I stretched out the tightness in my back muscles from yesterday's trip. Before long all the john boats were behind me, and the creek was mine. Strangely I saw no ducks or geese which normally inhabit this area.

As the creek closed in and the sides rose up and filled in with tall trees, I couldn't help thinking I was starting to step back in time. The smell of green was in the air and I took it all in as the miles rushed by. When I got to where the firing range is, it was silent for a change. Never had I gotten this far up the creek without the roar of gunfire destroying the silence.

Rather than turn around as I normally do, I continued on, heading further in than I had ever been. Another mile or so and I rounded a corner as the sun peaked through some trees and illuminated the heavy moist air. I could easily have been back in God's primordial kitchen as giant pterodactyl birds (Blue Herons) glided through the tree tops. It was awesome - that feeling you get that you know you can't explain - you can only experience it first hand.

After heading through 3 small trifles I finally came to one that looked like it might eat fiberglass so I turned for the return trip. I found myself paddling slowly or at times backwards as my mind wondered thinking of family and friends, life, and recent milestones at work. It was pure inner reflection at its finest, and I didn't want it to end. But end it did as soon as I came upon one of the trolling motors still trying to catch up to me. I sprinted off leaving him in my wake.