Wednesday trip from Marshall Hall

Wednesday I met up with CKA at a launch on the Maryland side of the Potomac at Marshall Hall. As with many of Chuck's launches, there is no fee to put in, but also few facilities. The pair of ramps and pier seem well maintained. Our plan was to paddle some miles, and then enter Dogue Creek, stop at Washington's Grist Mill for a tour and lunch, before returning to Marshall Hall. This trip would lead us in a circle, only in Dogue Creek would we return the way we came.

There was a porta-john but it was truly the dirtiest one I have ever seen. But after coffee and the 45 minute drive...that was the first time I have used one of the individually packaged santi-wipes that are in my boating box. Ugh. A reader might gather that I must have been really grossed out to mention it on my blog. Anyway, I advised the other ladies to use the bushes, the outdoors is a much cleaner place.

Moving on,  we launched well, and headed up-river to view Mount Vernon and the Virginia side of the Potomac. The winds were predicted to be fairly mild but they grew stronger as we paddled. Once we turned down river we stayed close to shore in order to shelter from the wind. We entered Little Hunting Creek but found the wind as fierce, if not more, than on the main river. After some house envy touring, dream purchasing ideal houses, we went back to the main river.

As we got to Dogue Creek the wind turned fierce and gathering black clouds foreboding. We had nice rollers with white caps. Group consensus: run before the storm. So we skipped our goal of picnic and tour of the Grist Mill. Surfing the rollers back to launch was a thrill for me but apparently not so much for the other paddlers in less ideal boats. I think Dennis, in a CD Gulfstream,  and I got the best rides.

When I mentioned at lunch that my boat was made for these conditions several people said "Ah ha! So I really can blame my boat?!" To an extent, yes, many "day touring" boats are not made to take advantage of wave action. Even my CD Solstice is not as stable in following seas when she is empty of cargo. Pack 80 pounds of gear in her and the game changes. But that is another boat, another another story all together.

Lisa walking down to check out the launch

Marshall Hall's skeleton

 

My foredeck with a pile of gadgets

The water was smooth and there was just a light breeze as we launched

I think I was first on the water, unusual for me, I am usually among the last.

Lisa and me, Credit Yoshi 2014

Just a hint of the storm front that would drive us off the water later

Companions on the water

House envy touring in the canals off Little Hunting Creek, Credit Yoshi 2014

Leaving Little Hunting Creek, the current under the bridge can be a beast

Headed down river towards Dogue Creek

What's this? Kayakers love water and food. Not sure which is more popular sometimes.