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6:30 PM Wed., June 18
This is our second day on the river. We are sitting at a real picnic table under a tarp at a hiker-biker campsite on the old C&O Canal. A brief rain shower forced us to take shelter earlier. Otherwise, the weather is ideal: sunny, comfortable (upper 70’s), low humidity, and cool nights that are great for sleeping.
Rich is providing the evening’s entertainment with his attempts at preparing supper, a meal way too complex for our “facilities” and his abilities. There is a fine line between constructive critical support and total denigration, a line we crossed hours ago. Rich’s response to a public reading of the above line was “What?”
Robbie has become a true crewmate as he has readily joined in with the Rich-baiting. Ray told the old line about three kinds of people: those who make things happen, have things happen to them, or wonder what happened. Robbie immediately responded that Rich was both of the last two. Robbie may never be the same again, a fact his mother may not appreciate. Hopefully she will never discover our website.
This evening entailed so much laughter that tears ran down my cheeks and my sides hurt. This may be the real reason why we come on these trips, a fact our spouses cannot appreciate.
7:40 PM – We are stuffed with Rich’s delicious supper (chicken Marsala, fresh beets, sautéed beet greens, yellow rice, and chocolate chunk cookies). Jean added the finishing touch with her homemade oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. You can’t have too much dessert.
Robbie is throwing the bear-bag rope, a task at which he has demonstrated outstanding skill. He received the ultimate compliment when someone called him “Clem”. (See the 2002 trip.)
The Potomac has been a joy to paddle. Water levels are good, the current is fast, and the wind is from the west (usually behind us except in the contorted twists and turns of the river). The scenery is beautiful with wooded hills and ridges, bare rock cliffs, and few signs of civilization.
Yesterday, our first day (half day, really) we put in at Oldtown, Maryland and paddled about 11 ½ miles, camping on a rocky beach on the Maryland side. We tired paddlers had all turned in by 9:30 PM after a campfire on the beach two feet from the river.
This morning we must have come close to setting a record. By 8:10 we had finished breakfast and we were on the water by 9:00. A long stop to see the tunnel slowed our progress, but we still paddled about 17 miles today. Yesterday I took the solo canoe and today was Terry’s turn. He was challenged by occasional headwinds and some swifts (class one ledge drops). Tomorrow is Ray’s turn.
6:25 PM Thurs., June 19th
We have just devoured Robbie’s supper of turkey, green beans, rice, couscous, and cheese accompanied by a huge salad prepared by Jean. Rich is gathering firewood, Ray is map reading (our official navigator), Robbie is cooking chocolate pudding for dessert, Terry and Sara are reading, and Jean has disappeared (taking care of business?).
We are camped in another hiker-biker site, good except for some mosquitoes, enjoying our early arrival (about 3:30 PM). That gave us all the opportunity to leisurely bathe, set up camp, have a beer, and relax. An early start and good current helped us to cover our 17 miles quickly. Sara even took a turn paddling the solo canoe; although she gladly surrendered it back to Ray after a while. Robbie is the powerhouse of our crew, a veritable outboard motor. Everyone wants to be his paddling partner.
7:10 PM Fri., June 20th
We have just consumed our first course of cream of broccoli soup and are waiting for Terry to finish the pork chops, mashed potatoes, and peas. Three kinds of cookies will complete this repast. Terry loves multi-course super meals. Sara has turned out to be a super sous chef for Terry, although she did her stint as master chef on Tuesday and set a high standard for all of us to follow.
Rich tried his hand today at solo canoeing but decided it was not his thing. I did most of the day solo, enjoying the use of my own carbon fiber toy. Robbie and Jean paddled together today, each taking a turn at steering. They were good for each other.
Good scenery and fair current continued to bless us today. The shoreline is mostly “wild” except for an occasional camp on the southern (W. Virginia) side. The Maryland shore is all National Park property. We have seen several bald eagles and some great blue herons. Only the trains disturb the ambiance.
8:10 PM Sun., June 22nd
Yesterday was a very long day of paddling, 7 miles of deadwater with portages around two dams. The trail for the first was particularly difficult. As if that wasn’t enough, the trail into our campsite was up a muddy vertical bank infested with poison ivy. We were all exhausted, especially from the work of carrying gear up that bank. By 9:00 PM (still light out) most of us had gone to bed, led by Ray of all people. Of course he had blazed the way up that bank and done more than his share of hauling.
Last night Jean cooked us kielbasa (in honor of the absent Jimbo), broccoli, and quinoa (the ancient wonder grain). During the night we had a four footed visitor (raccoon?) who ransacked our garbage, the first it has been touched. It is a good thing that we religiously hang our food. Tonight we already have the rope up.
Today was our second very hot day until a weak front blew through with a quick shower about 5:30 PM. The sun is peeking back out now, Rich and Robbie are building a fire, Ray is doing map work, Terry is reading (aka dozing), Sara is spilling water in her tent, and Jean is making tea. It is a quiet evening in camp.
Fatigue showed today in some emotional outbursts that any well knit family group can withstand. Deep down it is probably a clash of egos, but I will not play amateur psychologist. After all, we are all perfect, just ask us.
Today’s paddling was on a long 13 mile stretch of deadwater above dam four. The south bank especially was littered with camps and the water was alive with power boats. After the dam the river resumed its steady current and occasional swifts. Sara and I saw three white egrets (?) and a bald eagle along with several great blues that Rich photographed. Life is good!
Mon., June 23rd
We are back at Theresa's in Sterling, Virginia from whence we started. We are showered, full of Famous Dave's barbecue, and loaded with memories to sustain us for another year. We had only half a day's paddle today, taking out at Shepherdstown, WV where we had left Terry's car in the college's parking lot. While Terry, Rich, and I recovered the other two vehicles from Oldtown, the rest of the crew explored the neat, artsy, college community. The beautiful weather stayed with us for this last day of our trip. We should always be so fortunate. My greatest joy of this trip was being able to spend a week paddling with my grandson Robbie. I have now done so with four generations of this family.
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Copyright © 2008 Scott Clark