March 20, 2005

Point of Origin

Ever since they closed Bull Run Marina to everyone without a gate key and a season pass, I have not paddled out of there. I have paddled down a few times from Fountainhead, but have always turned back after reaching the marina. I have missed the short but tranquil paddles upstream from the marina.

So today I drove out to Fountainhead, paid my $47 non-resident shore launch fee and another $10 for the gate key to Bull Run. My one complaint is the $47 is PER BOAT - and I even had to identify it on my application. I asked if I needed to come back for a pass if I took my daughter with me and learned I would if she paddled with me very often. Back when most car top launches were by canoe, it probably made sense to charge by boat, but with the current popularity of single kayaks it would cost a family of three or four a small fortune to get an annual pass.

Katie first got her introduction to kayaks at this place. Her Gannet towed through the windy sections as we wound our way through the hills.

As I readied my gear, the girls rowing club carried down an eight. My kayak on the dock would be in their way so I carried it back up to the grass then left to park my car.

Two eights launched as I put on all my gear. I bet I looked the sight as I pulled on all my cold-water gear as the young men and women climbed aboard with jeans and shorts.

On launching from shore, I had to step in the muck that covered up to my ankles. I did my best to rinse off my feet before putting them in the kayak, but even with my best efforts, I still carried a bit of the gunk into the cockpit with me.

I had trouble getting on my new spray skirt, but after taking my gloves off it went on just fine. The new Seals Mariner spray skirt is awesome, but I may end up cutting off the paddle park, as it just seems to be a snag waiting to happen.

Heading up stream, I rounded the first bend and was shocked to see the concentration of trash right on the inside of the bend. It was very point specific - 30 feet away there was no trash at all. The trash was primarily water bottles and kid's soccer balls. I thought how odd it was that the trash was so concentrated and specific to athletic type of trash. Looking north I saw the reason.

In the winter, the prevailing winds are from the north. And due north of this bend is a soccer field. I paddle over to take a look, and see that although there is a thick brush/tree line across most of the park, there is an opening where the grass runs down to the water's edge. An orange rubber fence is in place to try to stop things from blowing in to the water, but it is very poorly constructed and not doing the job it is meant to do.

Heading upstream I again find another trash concentration along the south shore, and on the north side, another break in the trees to the park. I hope that those who use Kincheloe Park in Clifton may one day organize a cleanup of Bull Run, or as a minimum plug the flow of trash flowing in to the reservoir from the park.

The water is very flat and I glide across the surface without effort. Geese occasionally fly off in front of me, only to circle back to where they took off from after I pass. The hills along the shore grow taller as I paddle deeper into the creek and a slight current starts to build against me.

Suspended over the water in a tree is a large wasp nest. I would see three of these over the water today.

One final trash pile located below an abandoned car. People coming out to this part of the woods probably tossed this trash in. I begin to wonder if the little bit of trash my kayak carries back will make a difference. Before the marina closed to all but season pass holders there used to be many paddlers to launch from there. I would often see canoes, kayaks and jon boats come back with an extra piece of trash or two to toss in the trash bin.

I rounded the corner at the firing range and was surprised to see the lone sycamore tree standing in the middle of the creek. I had forgotten about this tree and on seeing it simply amazed it is still standing, and although it looks rough, it is still alive.

I pass a few islands that have debris stacks against the tree trunks. I have never been on the creek when water was that high - it would be interesting to see.

After paddling through a few riffles, I see one that would eat fiberglass if I attempted it. Not wanting to portage I decided to turn around.

Suddenly I am aware there are people around. Two men in waders are at the shore looking for a place to drop their line. A bit further down the creek two girls play on the rocks. Further down a woman and boy sitting on a log to eat lunch and further down another angler. Where they there when I passed this way a few minutes ago?

I paddled back making a few side trips, taking pictures of a few turtles along the way. I saw four deer bound through the woods and stop. Despite the pictures, they remained hidden when I reviewed them at home. Like some entities that refused to show themselves on film.
Back at the marina there is room for me to get out on the docks. It looks like maybe an open house for the rowing teams, but the boats either are still out on the water or put away and before long my kayak is put away too.

Pictures