August 3, 2003

Paddling Uphill

It seems like ages since I last paddled on the Patuxent. Looking through my trip reports it looks like two and a half years. Time flies. Three years since I've paddled this section.

As we paddled out of the small feeder creek we head north. I thought traveling with the small tidal current would be nice. A nice cool breeze at our backs. I'm a bit shocked to learn Bill Dodge has never paddled this part of the river.

The water is high and soon our tidal current disappears and is replaced by the opposing runoff flow of the river. Everything is a lush green and has a sweet smell to it. We paddle at a leisure pace, just taking our time to enjoy what we see. Phil paddles ahead so he can occasionally toss a lure. Joe and Bill bring up the rear with conversation while Joan and I fill out the middle of the group discussing the rigors of raising a teenager.

At some point Bill catches up with us while Joe goes off to fish with Phil. We were discussing a lot about nothing when Joan mentioned "It feels like I'm paddling uphill". Bill and I stopped to think about it for a second, and I think we all realized as we were fighting the current that we WERE paddling uphill to some degree. I tell Joan that she just named my trip report. The current continues to increase and after about six and a half miles we decide to turn around and go with the flow.

An even more leisure trip back, easily moving along with the current. The breeze in our faces smells good. As we paddle up into the feeder creek I wish I had my camera with us to capture the kayaks moving in single file. On shore we debate going back out after lunch but the building storm clouds convince us it is time to go.

Woody