September 3, 2006

Ernesto

The first thing I noticed about the launch was the damage to the steps leading down to the beach. I looked around and saw all the debris stacked up on the wooden walkway. Wow. The water had obviously been up over the walkway and likely almost up to the asphalt pad.

After a storm we pick up the damage. Clean things up to try and make them as they were before. But things can't be the same. Changes forced by the storm, no matter how much we want things to be the same, they never will. So we clean up and do the best with what we have.

I didn't plan to paddle far today as I wasn't very prepared. A few bottles of water and no lunch. Paddle out to Conrad Island and see the damage there and paddle back.

I covered the 1.1 miles to Conrad on glassy water. The hydrilla so thick I could feel it affect my speed the entire way out across this shallow bay.

The smaller 2 island parts were entirely under water. A glance at my watch showed me it was low tide. The water was high, even for a low tide, but it told me the lower 2/3s of this island were finally finished. Only the northern chunk remained above water.

After taking a few pictures I decided to head up the Occoquan. The hydrilla was everywhere so I stuck to the channel that headed off to Giles Run then stayed close to the lily pads until well inside the river.

Before I knew it I was passing under the walkway for the pumping station. No place left to go so I turned using the current from the water washing down the spillway. As I headed back out a few boats began leaving their berth in one of the harbors. Stuck at 'no wake' speed for some time, I easily kept pace with them, even pulling a bit ahead when the water was deep enough to allow my speed to increase.

The miles slipped by and I returned to Mason Neck feeling good. Sorry I had not brought any lunch as I think I could have put a few more miles in before calling it a day.

Pictures

Woody