August 2, 2003

My Secret Place

t the last minute I had to call off my planned paddle out of Mason Neck to take care of some Saturday morning business. But that left me with nothing to do in the afternoon. After getting in the car, not sure where it would take me I ended up at the launch site that can take me to my 'secret' place. I think I've only showed a few people where it is, and you'll never get the name of it out of me, else it wouldn't be my 'secret' place. :)

On shore I met a nice couple getting ready to launch. They were having a heck of a time getting a paddle together. New and tight. They had never paddled before in this area so I explained to them several possibilities. They asked me where I was going and I said "well, I'm not sure where I will go", making sure my secret place stayed a secret. "How far will you paddle?" "Oh, till I get tired" I replied.

On the water I launched straight out into this bay. I bet they wondered what could be in the direction I was heading.

It isn't so much I mind people knowing about my secret place, but getting there is hazardous. I sprinted across one of the Potomac River's most active boating channels. Narrow through here, but boats come through at full speed, often not paying the least bit of attention. The wakes are huge as they go by. I paddle between the channel and shore for a while. On the VHF radio a boy calls the Coast Guard. His father has fallen down some stairs on their large yacht and is bleeding badly from the shoulder. I listen as the marine patrol, fire department, and Coast Guard try to locate him. They finally determine the boy is piloting the boat away from them (and from help) and got him to shut down and stay near a numbered marker so the fire boat could render assistance.

An hour and a half rolls by and I find the mouth of the creek after a bouncy paddle. The wind is out of the south and combined with boat wake and reflected waves it has been a chore to paddle this far. I sense a front moving in from the south, and I secretly hope the wind picks up to make the ride back even more fun. Entering the creek is challenging. The waves heading in from the Potomac directly into the mouth of the creek. Over the shallow sand bar that protects the mouth. I surf in.

Around one bend and the water transforms into glass. The tide is running out so I dig in a bit. Winding through the marsh I pass new construction on the left, replacing the run down houses that were there a few years ago. Great Blue's, egrets, ducks and other water fowl of many different types scoot ahead or take flight in front of me. My secret place seems even better than I remembered it.

Before long I reach a beaver dam that halts my progress. I consider pulling up over it but turn to head back. The water carries me towards the Potomac yet the wind tries to hold me back. An adult Bald Eagle shows me the way out. As I near the mouth I hear the waves crashing in over the outgoing current. I deliberately choose the roughest path, wanting to experience something besides flat water. But the excitement is too short as I turn my sea kayak back towards the launch.

I cross the channel at a different spot. A bit wider but I can see boats coming from father away. As I approach the green marker I wait for a few boats to pass. Finally nothing coming either way I sprint across the channel after the last boat. I catch some good waves and make it across quickly.

Near the launch I see a capsized kayak so I paddle close by to make sure everything is ok. A couple are practicing self rescues. This is always good to see.

On shore I load up my kayak and help a guy who came in from fishing with his Old Town kayak. Someone points out a large snake near a log, and a hatching snake egg not far away. Time to go.

On the way home I stop by West Marine to pick up a few materials to make my daughter a painter for her kayak. Don't tell her though, it's a surprise...

Woody