July 4, 2001

July 4, 2001

Where should I put in? I certainly didn't want to deal with traffic getting to/from Jacks, and I figured Gravely Point would fill up early in the day. I needed to stop by Atlantic Kayak to pick up a few things anyway, so I decided to park there and paddle the six and a half miles up to Jacks.

Finding AK closed, I went ahead and unloaded my kayak on the sidewalk and strapped on my kayak cart. One of the few times I've used it vice just carrying it on my shoulder. I wanted to take all my gear and boat in one trip, so the cart seemed like a good idea.

Crossing the train tracks and zigzagging down the hill to the water, I caught the eyes of many joggers and bikers. I think it is my cute pumpkin colored paddling shorts. Some things are on sale for a reason. I packed the boat, threw the cart in the rear hatch and headed north towards Jacks.

I paid close attention to the shoreline detail. I would be coming back at night and anticipated having to contend with a large number of motorized boats. The take out later tonight would be just past the hot water outtake of the coal-fired power plant. The rushing water dumping into the river could be a hazard if approached too closely - I will need to remember to give it a wide berth when I return.

A little further up river I come to a well-marked channel leading into Washington Sailing Marina. It is a narrow channel, but close to shore. I'll also need to be aware of this area

I approach the landing lights on the south end of Reagan National Airport, which extends out into the water on a pier. Another landmark to guide me home. North of the airport is Gravely Point. I watch carefully for boats leaving the inlet from the boat ramps, and sprint across. Another hazard in the dark.

The boats approaching Washington are staying on the Maryland side of the river. This is good news for me, as I can paddle further from shore and avoid the hydrilla, which forms a line all along the Virginia shore. The boats are all traveling slowly, which means nice swells when they get to me on the Virginia side. Some show signs of just starting to break and I paddle even more out from shore to avoid the rebounding waves.

From Gravelly Point it is a short paddle to the I-395 bridge and the south entrance to the Boundary Channel. Another marina lies behind this narrow entrance, and another mental note is made to watch this area carefully later tonight. But for now I simply sprint across then settle back into a comfortable pace as I watch all the people on shore who have gathered for the 4th of July activities. Grills and lawn chairs, Frisbees and canopy's dot the shore as far as I can see. It's obvious that in some places the zero tolerance rule of the National Park Service for alcohol is being ignored. Staying a safe distance from shore later tonight may also be an issue.

Just as I pass behind Roosevelt Island, I see a kayak being carried across the footbridge to launch, and another being carried back to the parking lot. Crossing across the river at Key bridge I have to stop and let some traffic pass. There are a lot of boats anchoring near three sisters.

At Jacks I see David Moore, and hop out and we chat for a while. At times there would be a line of patrons in line to get boats, and other times no one at all. I bought a couple of Jacks T-shirts and David went off in search

of food while I ate a late lunch. After David came back and ate, we put in on the water to practice rolling, and I worked on my high brace. I tried a static brace and for the first time ever, it worked. I suspect the extra weight in my stern from the kayak cart and the large amount of frozen water I had in my day hatch played a big part, but I was none the less excited about it.

A cloud burst blew through and we took shelter with a bunch of other kayakers under the bridge. A few powerboats did too, which was a bit unnerving as one boat was drinking beer, and another one kept dragging anchor causing them to constantly need to reposition.

After the squall blew through, we landed and David got the paperwork ready for the night's event. People began to show up one by one and by the time we got back on the water we had 13.

We crossed the river and paddled down the backside of Roosevelt Island. Once between Roosevelt and the Memorial Bridge, David and I discussed which bridge to take shelter under during the next bout of rain. We wouldn't have to wait long as lightning flashed out to our west. It was some distance off as we already had the group moving towards Memorial Bridge before we heard the thunder.

We holed up under the second span of the bridge, rationalizing we would be protected from thrown objects and bottle rockets from shore by the solid pillar between the first and second span. Here we waited out the wind and rain. First from the west, then it turned and came out of the east, and finally once again out of the west. Kayakers and canoeists would face one way, then another, then back the original direction in holding station under the bridge. Talk centered around "Do you think they will still have the fireworks?"

A few moments before the show was to start, we had not heard thunder in a while, and the rain slackened to a drizzle. I paddled out from under the bridge to a place about mid way between the island and the bridge. Right on time the fireworks started. In front of me were boats sounding their horns, and behind me the crowd singing out oohs and aahs in response to the spectacular light show. The rain stopped as if scared away by the first boom of the rockets exploding in the sky. Hundreds of fireworks exploded in the air between the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument.

After the show I had to head back south to my put in. David rounded up the group to head back to Jacks, and I said goodbye and headed off. I was well lit - a Krill 180 on my stern, another one on my forward deck. On my back and riding high and bright was a Princeton Sport Flare with its 3 LED bulb. On my hat was my LED headlamp. A final check to make sure all the lights were on and I was off to experience the boat traffic.

As I made my way under Memorial Bridge, bottle rockets began streaking from shore at water level. Most wouldn't make it far, so I turned and headed a bit further from shore. Fortunately I was never a target.

My second challenge was to get by the Boundary Channel entrance. Boats were already stacked in line heading in, but were moving so slow it was easy to cross behind the stern of 2 boats, being mindful of their prop wash.

Gravely Point was next on my list of potential hazards. People along shore had already dissipated quite a bit and I headed closer to shore. If traffic were heavy I would stick to the edge of the creek and cross near the boat ramps. I could see further in that several boats were stacked up to use the ramps, but nothing approaching the entrance so I sprinted across to the airport.

There were massive amounts of slow moving boats on the Maryland side of the river. This created some large wakes on my side. Heading a bit further from shore to avoid the hydrilla and rebounding waves I watched airplanes land and take off in the night sky. In the distance a fireboat is coming my way and I make sure he can see my light before he gets too close. He is scanning the shore with his searchlight and momentarily illuminates me before continuing on.

At the south end of the airport I follow the landing lights out to the end and checking to make sure there are no boats coming up the channel entering the marina, I cross in a flash. I paddle between the channel and shore and after a few minutes a sailboat appears heading in to the marina.

On down the shore and the power plant grows nearer. I'm almost to the takeout. I paddle out a bit to avoid the outtake but the blast of water still grabs my bow and starts to push it out into the river. I drop my skeg to compensate and I cut directly across the flow of water. The warm water feels odd on my hands, and the inside of my kayak begins to get warm, but in a few moments I'm through the mini sauna and heading in to shore.

My night of celebration at an end, I pull out my cart and haul my kayak up the hill to my truck. A few minutes later I'm on the road home, knowing I've avoided the massive amounts of traffic and delays in DC.

My last 4th of July in northern Virginia for a few years - maybe my last ever in this area. A combination of companionship and solitude, celebration and reflection. It was fun and will be remembered the rest of my life.

Woody