November 2, 2003

Old Friends

he park opened at 8:00, and I was already there even though I told Joan we would meet at 9:00. I unloaded my gear from the car and sat on the park bench gazing out on the water. The geese squawked at each other, and around 20 ducks swam back and forth while an eagle flew overhead. The sky blue, the air warm, and the water chilly. I could have sat there all day. Joan arrived and we paddled off toward the marsh on the far side of the park. I couldn't remember how far it was, six miles it turns out, and our goal was to paddle towards it and turn around if we got tired. It has been years since I've been there.

Joan is my first paddling partner. We've paddle together now for five seasons. You'd think we'd of run out of things to talk about by now, but we somehow fill our paddling time with conversation, pointing out to each other the interesting things we see along the way. We make a good team as our speed and endurance are well matched. And over the years I've come to enjoy and trust her council about the hundreds of subjects we've discussed.

We rounded the first corner of Mason Neck and headed out of Belmont Bay toward the Potomac. On our left we saw several eagles sitting in trees where there is a Great Blue heron rookery. Joan and I catching each other up on our lives. We haven't paddled much together this season. We turned northeast following the Potomac shore, getting closer to the marsh with each paddle stroke. More eagles - and we enjoyed them letting us get unusually close as we paddled along.

By the time we arrived at the marsh we both needed a break, but we paddled back into the marsh anyway. The geese were the first to announce our presence, and before long most of them took flight and left us with the ducks. I'm not sure I've ever seen this many ducks in one location. We looked for a place to land, and finding none we headed back out to the Potomac to beach on the shore for lunch.

Such a beautiful day it was hard to get back in the kayak. Signifying it was time to head towards the launch, and eventually home. The water was like a mirror on which the wake of boats out on the river rolled towards us. A warm breeze, cooled slightly by the cold water mixed to form the perfect paddling day. The six miles back to the launch flew by.

The launch was crowded, and several sit on tops paddled away as I cringed seeing a young infant without pfd perched on the front of one while mom paddled away. Joan and I packed our gear away and had conversations with other kayakers near by. I've missed kayaking with my paddling partner this season. It's good to be reminded every now and then, of the reasons why we paddle. Today I was reminded of one.

Woody