September 30, 2003

After Work

The park survived the hurricane quite well. A few trees had fallen across the road, been chainsawed and pushed to the edge of the road. I was alone in the park. The kayak set by the side of the water and my car parked in the upper parking lot. With this stiff wind I toss my sail rig in the kayak and paddle off to-wards the Occoquan dam.

On my way I take a slight detour by Conrad Island. This island that had a small cut through at high tide 5 years ago has eroded over the years by boat wakes. When I last saw it it had been reduced to 3 small pieces, the trees almost all dead. The storm took out almost all the trees on the middle and southern piece of land. The more heavily wooded northern piece faired much better. It is the only portion that will survive much longer.

I continue my westward journey. Seeing the water streak off my paddle blades in the stiff wind I feather the blades and paddle past the first of four or five marinas. Expensive townhouses being built, and another already built line the shore. Trees blown over - some still standing but with their roots washed free of dirt and dangling on the air. A large barge parked next to one of the bridges.

I note as I cross to the other side, giving the barge a wide berth, that it is close to the bridge pilings. One corner partially under the bridge. A tug boat idling near by. I paddle on up the Occoquan, looking forward to sailing back.

The air is cool. The sky is crisp and clear. I think God's favorite color must be blue. Past the park on river right I see a twin bladed paddle flashing in the sunlight ahead. When I catch up I see it is someone fishing from his kayak. No luck so far he tells me.

Having reached the dam I turn around. Raising the sail it fills with wind and I start my journey back east. But in five minutes it stops. Not a trickle of wind to even ruffle the sail. Just my luck.

I turn the sail so it is in-line with my direction of travel and I paddle back to-wards Belmont Bay. On river left is a multi-million dollar home. Tennis courts and helicopter in the backyard. In the bay I try the sail again and get a good ride for a few minutes before the wind dies for good. I drop the sail and dig in for the rest of the trip back.

Fall is in the air.