May 30, 2005

101 Critical Days of Summer

When I was in the military, we had what was called the '101 Critical Days of Summer', which started on Memorial Day weekend. This marked the beginning of a high risk period to military personal for them to be involved in an 'alcohol related incident'.

I was surprised how inactive things were at Mason Neck. Not a single kayak or canoe as I launched. The water was mirror flat and it was a bit overcast.

I just started paddling, with no real destination in mind. I rounded Sandy Point and saw a group of canoes getting ready to cross the channel. The leader of the group was giving everyone detailed instructions on how they would cross and they did so in a very orderly manner.

I was feeling good so I grabbed some waves and then turned toward High Point. Although there was no wind, it wasn't terribly hot. Occasionally I wet my hat or splashed water on my shirt to stay cool.

By the time I reached High Point the boat traffic was picking up. Turning north east I headed toward Sycamore Point, which is the southern edge of Great Marsh.

It was one of those days it felt like I could paddle forever. I started across the wide mouth of Great Marsh, heading north toward Hallowing Point. As I neared the point I saw a boat heading my way about a quarter of a mile away. Although I wasn't out in the river, I was far from shore because of how far the shore cut back toward the marsh. I made a 45 degree turn to take me closer to shore, figuring the boat would head out in to the river.

I can't tell you how much time elapsed for the following events. It was so quick it was over in no time, but it seemed as though everything was moving in slow motion. The boat made a course correction as it neared, putting me directly in the path again. I changed course again, to take me back towards the river and waved my paddle a few times to draw his attention. Again the boat swerved, now dangerously close to me and all I could do was dig in and pray he didn't swerve again. But he did. I knew there was going to be an accident, and it was going to be with me.

I've never been so scared on the water. I was paddling like hell and knew that now I was below the huge boat's line of sight. If I was lucky I might be able to just clear the boat - then it swerved toward shore and headed in to a dock a few hundred yards away.

I stopped paddling. I was pretty shaken and I cursed the boat as it passed close enough I could have hit the boat with my paddle with an easy toss. No one on the boat heard me - it was running wide open.

I turned and headed for the dock. Me and that captain were going to discuss this. But as I paddled with determination and anger toward the dock 2 women hopped off the boat and the boat backed and then sped out to the middle of the river. I paddled up to the dock where another boat was tied up. The gentleman on the boat was having a difficult time walking from one end of his boat to the other. He had a cup in his hand he was trying to keep from spilling. I asked him if he noticed the name of the boat that had just been to the dock. He said no (slurred it actually) and I explained it had almost run me down. I paddled off, angry and still shaking.

A few minutes later I noticed the gentleman's boat left the dock and sped out to the middle of the river where he came along side of the boat that almost ran me down. Together they finished crossing the river to the channel and headed south.

I thought it would take me a long while to calm down, but it didn't. I chatted with the fishermen near shore about their luck today - they said they were tearing up the catfish. I enjoyed the waves from the boat wakes as I rounded the points on the way back, surfing them when I could.

When I made it back to the park I loaded up my stuff and killed a little time waiting for my clothes to dry. I noticed John come around Sandy Point and I waited for him to get back. On relaying my story John said he almost got ran down by 2 boats as he crossed the Potomac back to Mason Neck and we wondered if they had been the same boats that I had seen.

Only 100 days left...

Woody