October 18, 2004

Things left unsaid

here are many times when I paddle that I don't ever get around to writing a trip report. Oddly, even after almost 6 years there is almost always something interesting that happens or that I see on every trip. There are over 150 trip reports on this web site yet when the mood hits I still manage to crank out another one every now and then. You'd think I'd run out of things to say by now. But kayaking is special in that way - you always meet an interesting person, or see something you haven't seen before - or see old things through new eyes.

Sunday Joan and I met at Fountainhead Regional Park. I got there early after missing a turn...twice. It isn't an easy park to find. Joan called me after I got my gear ready to tell me she was running late. I didn't mind - I pulled out my monocular and watched the geese and the sea gulls for a while. I also found out that I can get a season pass for all the regional parks (for kayaks) for $30! Another $10 key fee will get me access to Bull Run Marina, some great paddling I did when I was first starting out. The season starts in March, so I can't wait to re-explore that area next season.

When Joan arrived we got underway - heading down to Bull Run Marina to have lunch. There was a stiff, chilly wind in our face but we managed to take advantage of the lee provided by the upwind tree-lines.

Over the years Joan and I have talked about many things - mainly our our jobs, our families, our lives. One talks while the other listens. We usually don't have much advice for each other except when really needed. I think it is our need to be heard - a sounding board - a chance to say out loud what we tend to keep internal that we value most about our paddling relationship.

About half-way to Bull Run ahead of us and most of the way across the water I saw a flutter as though a broad maple leaf flipped over on the water. It was too far away to know for sure and I dismissed it until a few minutes later as we drew even I thought I saw a bird in the water weakly moving its wings. I asked Joan to hold up a moment while I paddled over to check it out, expecting to find a bird in distress. As I got closer I realized it was a squirrel swimming its way to the far shore. As I approached I edged my boat over to offer the deck as a place for the squirrel to climb up on. To my surprise he actually tried, but he missed it and continued to swim toward shore.

Joan and I guided him the remaining distance, his little legs visibly paddling like mad until he hopped up on a branch along the water's edge. He stayed there a moment, probably trying to regain a little warmth before he moved on.

We continued on to Bull Run, taking out on the low docks used by the rowing shells. After making the trip up to the bathrooms and finding them locked, we wondered back down to the picnic table for lunch. A bee was beeing a pest, which ultimately cost him his life. Near the end of lunch a second bee escaped only because it was time to go.

The wind was at our backs, and we would make good time heading back to Fountainhead. We shaved a half hour off the return paddle although we were generally letting the wind do most of the work. I probably asked 3 or 4 fishermen along the way how much luck they were having. It always varies a great deal, the answers I get to the question, but today it seemed the closer to Fountainhead we got, the less luck they were having catching fish.

The fall colors are starting to peek through the green canopies. The Blaze Maples bright red under most of the other trees. With all the water we've had lately, we may see the leaves on the trees a bit longer this year. Next weekend and the weekend after aught to be spectacular.

The Red Wing and Red Tail hawks got our attention today. One Red Tail hawk chasing a Bald Eagle away. We watched a Bald Eagle, just getting it's adult feathers attempt several times to land in a tree and fail. It was determined to land on a branch too small for it, and eventually gave up.

Back at Fountainhead we helped each other put the kayaks away. We finished our discussions we had started on the water and talked about plans for next weekend.

Winter is coming much too fast for me. It will be here too soon. But with cold water and the dangers it brings, comes the chance to paddle in places where boats become almost non-existent and quiet solitude becomes the fuel that keeps me warm.

Woody