Adventure is an attitude. Sometimes you can find adventure in very unlikely places, like behind Wal-Mart. Which is exactly what I did. The reason for this is I needed to check out my kayak for seaworthiness after the roof rack failure. Our car is destroyed, roof rack a tangled mess, Kelly’s kayak is dead, but my kayak looks scabbed up, but functional.
The green marker shows where I started the paddle, the red line shows the path paddled, the red marker shows the end of the trip. West Monroe, LA. 1 April 2024.
We traveled to Louisiana to visit with Kelly’s parents. However, Kelly’s parents do not have roof racks on their vehicles and we currently do not have a functional car or rack. Kelly helped me carry my kayak through the subdivision and then I drug my kayak through the tall weeds the final 300 meters to the ditch.
The start of the portage to the ditch. West Monroe, LA. 1 April 2024.
For a put-in I was able to use a side ditch to safely enter my kayak. The concrete ditch banks are for the most part, too steep to safely go up and down. Every in and out required finding anomalies the would allow you to stand (or at least have finger and toeholds). The steep concrete walls also mean that if you were to swim (or dump your kayak) you probably will not be able to get out wherever you may wish.
The put-in. West Monroe, LA. 1 April 2024.
I put-in upstream of a big, unfriendly pipe and paddled upstream past Wal-Mart, Hobby Lobby, etc. The ditch was full of fish and shopping carts. It hurt to not try to remove the shopping carts, but today was not the day for it. I paddled through cool, drippy tunnels under roads – the tunnel under Thomas Rd was ~100 meters long which was fun. However, the ditch was getting too shallow for my kayak and had to turn back and figure out the portage around the big, unfriendly pipe.
This big and unfriendly pipe requires a portage. West Monroe, LA. 1 April 2024.
Once on the downstream side of the pipe, the nature of the ditch changes to something a little more normal – trees are present and I started seeing ducks, egrets, and even a pied-billed grebe. However, the steep concrete banks were still present.
Concrete ditch banks make entering and exiting the ditch much more difficult. West Monroe, LA. 1 April 2024
It was fun to paddle this ditch and I was pleased to find that while my kayak has some bad road rash from the accident, it is still a seaworthy vessel. However, I was constantly aware that this was not a place that you could easily exit.
The downstream confluence of ditches. West Monroe, LA. 1 April 2024
A hammer drill and some anchor bolts would allow installation of some steps to make it easier to go up and down the concrete walls. During the kayak portages you could see that this ditch does get outside its banks and it is possible that high flows could tear steps right out of the concrete. Today this ditch was a fun place to make certain my kayak was intact, with a small effort it could become the equivalent of a bike path for kayaks – if West Monroe wished to attract those sorts of people…
I recently wrote about the discovery of this lake. Now I can tell you of the expedition to paddle and map the lake. Like any explorer worth a pemmican, I did name the lake. While I considered naming it in honor of people I love (e.g. Kelly Lake or Lac J.W.) or naming the lake for the caretakers of the lake (Beaver Lake), I instead named the lake in honor of the people who lived here first: Lake Nancotchtank.
The kayak and I are perched on the beaver dam that marks the southern end of Lake Nancotchtank about to enter and paddle. Lake Nancotchtank, DC. 14 March 2024.
However, this lake may be a collaboration of forces and may not have existed when the Nancotchtank People lived along the banks of Anacostia River. Sandwiched in between US 50, the Fort Lincoln Cemetery, and the Costco retail complex, this lake may not have existed before the surrounding area was ‘developed’. Certainly the lake would not have been navigable without the big ol’ beaver dam at the southeast end of the lake. So this isn’t a centuries old lake that early explorers missed, but rather a hydrological artifact of modern living.
A Google Maps view of the track I paddled circumnavigating the lake – notice the lack of lake on the map. Lake Nancotchtank, DC. 14 March 2024.
A good explorer doesn’t rush, but time was of essence. The tide was going out when I launched my kayak at Bladensburg Waterfront Park to paddle down the Anacostia to the start of “Le Grande Portage” from the banks of the river behind the big US 50 mudflat all of 200 meters to the beaver dam at the southeast end of Lake Nancotchtank. The tide was lower than I would have liked, but I made a cache of the tires and trash I picked up on the way in and began the portage to the lake knowing that I may have to slog through mud to get back in the river.
I am now paddling on the lake! First views. Lake Nancotchtank, DC. 14 March 2024.
“Le Grande Portage” was uneventful. Because there was no trail, I had the privilege of choosing which species of thorn bushes I went through and whether I went over or under the abundant downed logs. When I reached the shore of Lake Nancotchtank, it did not disappoint! As I stood on the beaver dam surveying the lake I was struck by how pretty it was.
View from the far end. Lake Nancotchtank, DC. 14 March 2024.
After thinking it through, I pulled my kayak to the top of beaver dam, hopped in, and did an otter slide down into the water. Almost immediately I was greeted by a huge grandparent snapping turtle – which I considered a fantastic omen! The lake has many downed trees, so my map doesn’t show the shoreline, but rather the path my kayak took.
Rather than haul my kayak up the beaver dam (and possibly tear it up) I chose to exit the lake in a low swampy area. Lake Nancotchtank, DC. 14 March 2024.
Because this is a shallow lake and it doesn’t have the same sediment loading as the Anacostia River, there are different plants (requiring a future botanical expedition 🙂 !!). Gadwalls were present, a duck species I have not yet seen on the Anacostia. It was surreal to think that I was paddling on a lake, in Washington DC that possibly nobody has paddled before – but such is the life of an explorer!
Safely back at the boat ramp with 3 tires (1 on a rim) a milk crate, and a 1/2 bag of plastic to which I added another 3 bags in a post expedition celebration. Bladensburg Waterfront Park, MD. 14 March 2024.
Another portage brought me back to the banks of the Anacostia River. The tide was out much further than I anticipated. I drug the kayak out into water deep enought float it and then ferried my cache of tires and trash back and forth through the mud to load the kayak. I then had another 50 meters of pushing the kayak to where I could get in and paddle away. The Lake Nancotchtank portion of this adventure did not take that long: 15 minutes to portage in, 15 minutes to paddle around the lake, 15 minutes to portage out, and 15 minutes to reload the trash on the kayak. Now that I know how to access and paddle Lake Nancotchtank. I can show up on a rising tide and have time to linger and enjoy Lake Nancotchtank – maybe even meet the beavers responsible for making this lake.
This is a spot we have visited before. Black Bayou Lake is a great paddle spot and worth checking out. The water conditions can vary so you may want to call the refuge office or drop by H2GO (local Monroe, LA paddle shop) and ask about conditions. A weather report may be useful because the lake is 1,600 acres and has the potential for wind and waves to be an issue. It is unique in the refuge system, because the refuge is within the city limits of Monroe, LA. The refuge has all the wildlife you may expect (even if it is in the city): gators, anhinga, alligator snapping turtles, prothonotary warblers, etc.
Even though the parking lot was packed, the lake was pleasant abd not crowded. Black Bayou NWR, LA. 3 March 2024.
Our most recent trip was on a warm, late winter Sunday. The parking lot looked chaotic, but we were able to pay fees, load and off load boats, park, and launch pretty easily. The refuge charges a $2 boat launch fee. Even though an actual bathroom does not exist at the boat ramp, it is obvious that there is maintenance and thought into the boat launch facilities. The boat ramp can accommodate loading or unloading three bass boats at once and there is a kayak soft launch (if you are into that sort of thing).
The sign (believe it or not) tells you about the $2 launch fee. The fee envelope repository is next to the sign – you’ll figure it out. Black Bayou NWR, LA. 3 March 2024.
Once you access the lake the crowd vanishes and there is plenty of room to spread out. The lake has plenty of cypress and tupelo trees in the lake, so you need to pay attention. In places it will feel like paddling in a forest. In the summer there will be acres of lotus pads, which is beautiful and fun to paddle among. However, much fun you are having keep in mind that navigating back will be difficult. Look behind you and visualize your return trip, carry electronic navigation devices (Google maps on your phone works in a pinch), or do both.
Easy to use boat ramp, but there is also a kayak launch if you prefer that. Black Bayou NWR, LA. 3 March 2024.
I have only paddled here with light winds kicking up waves and the occasional boat wake splashing into the cockpit. The lake feels pretty big. You need to be comfortable taking breaks, eating, drinking, etc. in your kayak, much of the shoreline is not lake, but not land – so your picnic lunch may be aquatic.
Black Bayou NWR, LA. 3 March 2024.
In summer you will see gators. Please show them the same respect you would show other boaters. Some of the gators will be cute little guys, some of the gators will be as big as your kayak. I haven’t heard of any issues, but we always keep our eyes open. With a snack-sized Anacostia Riverpup perched on the front deck, we do not want any trouble.
Anacostia Riverpup scouting out some American coots. Note the water trail sign on the nearest cypress tree. Black Bayou NWR, LA. 3 March 2024.
I really feel this is a great place to paddle. We usually pick up a smattering of trash and pull some invasive weeds while on the water, but the lake is really clean for the most part. There are water trail signs, but I have no idea where they go. The lake is so interesting and there is so much to see that we always end up elsewhere – but you could try to follow the water trail.
Adventure is important. As a kid I loved reading adventure stories: Maurice Herzog, Ernest Shackleton, Will Steger, and the like. Soon, I will be tackling an adventure of epic proportions – the first kayak exploration of an un-named water body here in Washington DC, USA.
I have been visiting the mud flat immediately upstream of US 50/ New York Ave bridge to remove tires since we started paddling the Anacostia River 3.5 years ago. In 2024 I have started visiting this mudflat at high tide instead of low tide because I have better kayak access and have been finding tires on the back side of the mudflat. Of course high tide means deeper water, less visibility, and in winter, freezing as you dig tires out of the submerged mud. Late February I was out for a quick morning paddle as Kelly had to use the car for work. It was cold, the water was murky, and it was peak high tide, so I pulled up on shore to remove clothes so I could wade in and try to find tires by feel (and keep my clothes dry). However, I needed a bit of time to prepare mentally, so I took a quick stroll and found a lake!
The lake is circled in red. Google maps image.
The lake is probably 150 meters from the Anacostia River. The terrain and vegetation are not an issue – this is a simple kayak portage! However, I needed to get the car back to Kelly and there was a tire in the murk for me to remove, which meant I did not have time for a proper lake exploration.
Here is a view of the entire lake. Google Maps image.
So now I have something to look forward to: an exciting exploration of an unknown water body in the Nation’s capital! I love close to home adventures!!
I want to explore the upper reaches of Beaverdam Creek, because this small Creek is a big player for the Anacostia River. This Friday I had the time to try another attempt at paddling up the Creek.
The new (and improved?) log jam/trash raft. Beaverdam Creek, MD. 11 August 2023.
I had a rising tide about two hours from high tide and felt pretty smug as I slipped over and past the log jam that stopped me previously. Recent storms had changed the this obstacle, but after a quick reconnaissance a way through was apparent. About 100 meters upstream was a massive log jam/trash raft that was today’s final boss. The water was deeper than I could stand (220 cm paddle could not touch bottom and I am 168 cm tall), so I busied myself playing aquatic pick-up sticks, filling two bags with plastic bottles, and removing a microwave from the log jam (the cord was massively tangled in the logs). As I was working a poo smell kept getting stronger, and the Beaverdam Creek poo smell is likely because Beaverdam Creek tends to not pass E. coli testing. Some people might have declared “I ain’t afeared of shit” and continued to work, but I paddled away to return to fight another day.
Safely back at the boat ramp (which I picked up before I left). Bladensburg Waterfront Park, MD. 11 August 2023.
Knowing that a low tide makes it easier for me to stand and knowing that I am battling trees, I will likely target a low tide and bring a saw along. I know that downed timber is an important aspect of aquatic health – I promise that I will not remove it all.
There you have it: another story of me not achieving my goals in the Beaverdam Creek. I like to think failure builds character, but if not it at least keeps me humble.
The Cuyahoga is a very famous river, or should I say infamous. The Cuyahoga River caught on fire in 1868, 1883, 1887, 1912, 1914, 1922, 1930, 1936, 1941, 1948, 1949, 1951, 1952, and 1969. The 1969 fire was a catalyst for the Nation’s environmental movement leading to both the clean water act and the environmental protection agency (EPA). The Cuyahoga River is getting cleaner but in 2020 there was a river first that was due to a tanker accident and not because the river itself was flammable as with the previous fires.
The Burning River Adventures van and trailer loaded up! Waterworks Park, Cuyahoga Falls, OH. 31 July 2023.
Even though there are excellent maps (https://cuyahogariverwatertrail.org/), we thought it would be logistically easier to utilize an outfitter. Our sit-on-top tandem kayak has a keel, and we have used it on class II rapids, but we thought (correctly) that an outfitter would have boats better suited for the trip. We chose the ‘long’ trip from Kent to Cuyahoga Falls.
Kayak launch. Fred Fuller Park, Kent, OH. 31 July 2023.
The section we paddled had two small swiftwater stretches. These were splashy fun. Anacostia Riverpup demonstrated her paddling knowledge by getting off of the front deck and getting between Kelly or my legs (depending on whose boat she was in) and out of the way of the paddle.
Cuyahoga River, OH. 31 July 2023.
This stretch of water was very pretty and really fun. Burning River Adventures did a good job with the kayaks and shuttle. The previous two days had the threat of rain looming over them, but for this paddle we had a glorious day – which never hurts.
Anacostia Riverpup enjoying the day. Cuyahoga River, OH. 31 July 2023.
I think we will have to come back and paddle the portions of the Cuyahoga River that actually did burn. I also think we will have to try to paddle within the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. This really was a fun weekend of kayaking. I was very surprised at the amount of dragonflies we saw. Even though I was unable to obtain decent photos we saw tons of Calopteryx and Hetaerina damselflies on all three paddles during our Ohio kayak weekend.
Anacostia Riverpup enjoying the day. Cuyahoga River, OH. 31 July 2023.
Red Fox kayak access. Upper Cuyahoga River, Ohio. 30 July 2023.
For our Ohio three-day paddle trip, we had two of the days scheduled with Burning River (Saturday) and Mahoning River Adventures (Monday). We lugged our tandem kayak out to Ohio with the goal of paddling somewhere on Sunday. There are really good maps for the Cuyahoga River Water Trail, so we chose Red Fox kayak access based on the water trail map info (https://cuyahogariverwatertrail.org/map-2/)
River view. Upper Cuyahoga River, OH. 30 July 2023.
Red Fox was described as primitive, and it was very no frills: no bathroom and no picnic table. It did have a spot to launch a kayak and parking – which was all we really needed. This part of the Upper Cuyahoga River is designated by the State of Ohio as ‘Scenic’ (in 1974!) and it is is a beautiful, meandering river. The water trail map described the current as gentle and suitable for beginners, but we were working pretty hard to paddle up stream – because brush and downed trees often forced us to paddle in the main current rather than using slack currents and eddies to ‘sneak’ upstream. We paddled upstream, had lunch, and then had a fun time paddling our tandem kayak downstream.
This rock has a name! Upper Cuyahoga River, OH. 30 July 2023.
This was a fun paddle for us and only 15 minutes from our hotel. We had a early dinner of Mexican food and margaritas and then enjoyed evening thunderstorms from our hotel room. It really was a perfect paddle for the day.
The Mahoning River is a ~110 mile long river that flows from its source in NE Ohio to Pennsylvania, where it meets the Ohio River (as the Beaver River), and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico via the Mississippi River. Being connected to such important rivers meant the Mahoning River was a corridor for exploration and development of the region.
Mahoning River Adventures shuttle bus. Canoe City Metropark, Leavittsburg, OH. 29 July 2023.
When steel furnaces were developed in Youngstown, the Mahoning River became important to industry. Several low dams were built on the river to ensure the availability of water for steel manufacture and the river began recieving the hot, untreated effluent from steel processes. The river was considered one of the most polluted in the United States from 1948 to 1977. In 1977 the steel mills began to shut downm, but the legacy of PCB’s in the system and contaminated sediments continue.
Rotary Park kayak access. Newton Falls, OH. 29 July 2023
The river is getting cleaner. There is still a fish consumption advisory, but they are allowing some human consumption. The Ohio DNR has established a water trail on 23 miles of river upstream of Warren, Ohio. I have been told there is a big difference between the river upstream of Warren and downstream of Warren – you want to use the upstream river. Locals are planning the removal of the low dams, which will help the river regain historic flow patterns.
Newton Falls Dam from the kayak access. Newton Falls, OH. 29 July 2023.
We found out about the Mahoning River while looking for a paddle spot during our summer vacation road trip. We weren’t able to make it happen during our vacation, so we decided to come back for a weekend and paddle the Mahoning and Cuyahoga Rivers.
Mahoning River, OH. 29 July 2023.
Planning a river trip requires: USGS river flow data, maps (the Mahoning River water trail brochure is very useful), historical information, and knowledge of what all the data means in terms of user river experience. Another method is to hire all the planning out and use an outfitter, shuttle service, or guide. We chose to use Mahoning River Adventures which is part of three sister outfitters (www.paddletheriver.com) on the Cuyahoga and Mahoning Rivers.
Mahoning River, OH. 29 July 2023.
We did the ‘long trip’ (11 river miles) from the Newton Falls low dam to the low dam at Leavittsburg. This trip isn’t always offered because there can be log jams that require portages and there are private property issues that could potentially be problematic for a portage – another advantage of hiring an outfitter is this bit of local knowledge is available. It is also possible that the outfitter was a major catalyst in making the log jams passable, yet another good reason to support the local folks.
Thomas A. Swift Metropark kayak ramp. Braceville Township, OH. 29 July 2023.
The Mahoning is a pretty river but it flows through a lot of private property and doesn’t have sand or gravel bars to provide nice spots to take a break. The steep, muddy banks and private property pretty much confine a paddler to the river. We did stop at the Thomas A. Swift Metropark to have snacks and stretch. There was a picnic table and no bathroom.
Canoe City Metropark, Leavittsburg, OH. 29 July 2023.
The river flowed through forest, occasional yards, and sometimes farmfields. The log jams added interest to the paddling as we looked for the best way to paddle through. After the first three miles the number of log jams reduced significantly. We had an overcast day with a threat of thunderstorms, so we often had dramatic light like a Thomas Moran painting. The Mahoning River was a very pleasant place to paddle and Mahoning River Adventures was a very easy way to get out on the river.
Wine! Mahoning River Adventures. 29 July 202
After we got back we talked with the outfitter for a bit and helped with our kayaks. As we were leaving the outfitter asked if we drank wine and explained that he had won a bottle of wine, glasses, and a 4ocean recycled plastic bracelet (www.4ocean.com) and would like us to have it. This was a nice bit of lagniappe and a very enjoyable way to toast our river adventure back at the hotel.
With the pandemic over we set off on a 2-week ‘vacation’ visiting friends and family that required a little over 6100 miles of driving! We drove through 4 days of heavy rain and had temperatures over 100°f for 9 days – which limits paddling opportunities, but we still managed to get some paddling in. The great thing about paddling some new spots in different places is seeing how the water, resource management, and paddle experience differ from place to place.
The trusty Crescent Kayaks Splash II was used for all paddling and rode 6100+ miles on our roof rack like a champ. Keller Lake Kayak Launch, Apple Valley, MN. 11 July 2023.
While lugging a kayak for the entire road trip cost us in decreased gas mileage and also made getting stuff in and out of the hatchback a hassle, it was much easier than trying to arrange kayak rentals for all the paddle stops. The kayak we chose for the trip was Kelly’s Crescent Kayaks Splash II. A single tandem is less wind resistance, better gas mileage, easier loading/unloading, the Splash II has a nice front deck for our dog, and it is fun to paddle tandems! Note: especially when hopping between water bodies it is important to clean your boat thoroughly and let it it dry between water bodies to prevent transporting invasive species.
We removed a tire from the river. Ouachita River, Forsythe Park, Monroe, LA. 3 July 2023.
Our first paddle stop was on the Ouachita River in Monroe, LA. The Ouachita, being Kelly’s home town river is a river we know pretty well. Our paddling was cut short by thunder and lightning, but we got to play on a beach and cool off from the 100° weather before it was time to get back to the boat ramp.
Phipp’s Pond. Esther Simplot Park, Boise, ID. 7 July 2023.
Our next paddle was Phipp’s Pond in Boise, ID. Even though the car thermometer said 101°, the water in Phipp’s Pond was cool and the shady bits were wonderful! The pond was packed with kayaks, SUPs (paddleboards) and people recreating on the shore. This is the water body my daughter paddles the most and it was very pleasant paddle.
Anacostia was a bit freaked out by how rough the water was. Boise River, Boise, ID. 8 July 2023.
When you visit Boise in summer, you should run the Boise River. Ada County has made it so easy. The river is cool and refreshing. While we kept the tandem upright, running the small rapids on the river filled our tandem with water, so we had to empty the boat of water after each set because we run the Splash II with scupper plugs.
The waves have some force! Lake Traverse, SD. 9 July 2023
Late in the day, with a howling wind off the South Dakota prairie kicking up white caps, we put in for a quick paddle on Traverse Lake. This is a big lake on the border of SD & MN. It is in a glacial depression and the numerous big rocks in the lake testify to the ancient presence of glaciers. A dense algae bloom made visibility of rocks in the water difficult, if the wave action wasn’t exposing them. We made it through without a wave dropping us on a rock and had a decent paddle, even though Anacostia Riverpup was a little freaked out by the size of the waves on the lake.
Sunset paddle. Pomme De Terre Lake, Tipsinah Mounds Campground, MN. 9 July 2023.
Pomme De Terre Lake was a pretty little gem and fun to paddle. The lake was kind of small and the prairie winds kept it pretty whipped up, but it was definitely a worhwhile spot.
Morning paddle. Pomme De Terre Lake, Tipsinah Mounds Campground, MN. 10 July 2023.Anacostia Riverpup enjoying some morning sun. Keller Lake, Apple Valley, MN. 11 July 2023.
Keller Lake was a paddle choice based upon proximity to family. It was a perfectly fine place to paddle, but you will be making more than one lap to get a good workout.
The barns on shore were a scenic part of the agriculture/aquatic interface. Rock River, WI. 13 July 2023.
The Rock River was so fun! We put in at Rock River Park and Boat Launch in Johnson Creek, WI. There were spawning carp everywhere and little Anacostia Riverpup was not having it – the carp were creeping her our. We paddled upstream and then turned around to paddle back to the park.
Urban skyline. Busse Lake, IL. 13 July 2023.
If you were somehow magically transported to Busse Lake, you would not know you were in the Chicago metropolitan area. The lake was really pretty and we got to see some cool wild flowers. I even managed to have a leech attach to my leg while taking some butterfly photos! This is another water body infested with Eurasian watermilfoil, so we needed to really scrub the boat before our next stop.
Ani is on the lookout for submerged logs. Little Calumet River, Indiana Dunes National Park, IN. 13 July 2023.
our next paddle stop was an adventure to find. I wanted to paddle Long Lake in Indiana Dunes National Park, but was informed by a ranger that paddling is not allowed on Long Lake. The Ranger suggested Marquette Park in Gary, but we were not able to find the put in. We tried a nearby boat ramp on Google Maps only to end up on a sketchy, gated road. A quick phone call to a ranger led us to Bailly Homestead on the Little Calumet River in Indiana Dunes National Park. We were on a sketchy, dead end, narrow road but it led us to a river crossing. As we were unloading the kayak, a ranger pulled up. I half expected to be told to pack up and move on, but he wished us a pleasant paddle. We paddled upstream to a stopper log jam and downstream to a stopper log jam. The abundance of timber in the river was really good for Calopteryx damselflies – we saw a ton of them! The adventure of finding a paddle spot was greater than the actual paddle itself, which was just a pleasantly pretty, log-infested, joy ride.
We almost made it to lake Erie. Huron River, Huron, OH. 14 July 2023.
Our next paddle stop was the Huron River boat ramp in Huron, OH. The boat ramp was super deluxe and had three discrete ramps and crazy huge parking. This was an access point for large boats to get on Lake Erie and the Huron River banks are suitably fortified to withstand the wakes of these larger boats. We tried to get to Lake Erie but just about 100 meters from the goal, little Anacostia Riverpup was not liking the waves and we turned around and paddled upstream to calmer waters. After paddling we had lunch on the patio of a fancy, riverside restaurant in the town of Huron.
The spruce-scented breeze was a refreshing treat! Lake Arthur, Moraine State Park, PA. 14 July 2023.
We had planned on a different spot, but daylight was running short and we were near Moraine State Park in western PA. My parents used to live in nearby Butler, PA and I have visited the park a couple times before, so we decided Lake Arthur of Moraine State Park would do. We put-in at the Bear Run boat ramp and had a wonderful paddle on the lake. Just enough breeze, just enough shade, great bird watching, and a bewitching spruce scented breeze on the water. This was a great paddle.
Anacostia River, MD. 16 July 2023.
We finally made it home and I got to paddle on the good ol’ Anacostia River. Even though we paddle this river ~100 times/year. It is always a nice spot to paddle. While it is fun to paddle new and exciting rivers and lakes, there is no place like home.
Kelly, Anacostia Riverpup, and I participated in our first organized paddle event, Paddle for the Border (https://dismalswampwelcomecenter.com/paddle-for-the-border/). This was the 18th running of the event and it totally exceeded our expectations.
375 kayaks! Great Dismal Swamp Visitor Center, Great Dismal Swamp State Park, South Mills, NC. 6 May 2023.
The event starts at the Great Dismal Swamp Visitor Center in South Mills, NC. If 375 kayaks are participating, that means that roughly 170 cars need to drop off paddle craft before the start. Somebody has studied logistics, because this process was fast and painless. The South Mills Volunteer Fire Department was there to help unload boats and these people are pros! The organizers had a delicious breakfast prepared and everybody was hanging out, eating. And getting their boats ready for event. The drivers of the cars had to drive up to Ballahack Boat Ramp in Chesapeake, VA to park and were then shuttled back to South Mills via luxury coach. This was so easy.
The put-in. Great Dismal Swamp Visitor Center, Great Dismal Swamp State Park, South Mills, NC. 6 May 2023.
When the event started, everyone needed to launch from the same small boat ramp – again organization and teamwork saved the day. What could have been awful was actually fun. The Great Dismal Swamp Canal is long, but not wide – the potential for ‘combat/DC traffic’ style paddling was huge, but it never materialized. This event was so well thought out.
Paddling along. Great Dismal Swamp Canal. 6 May 2023.
Once on the water, it was time to paddle 12 km north to Ballahack Boat ramp. It was a gorgeous day. You could paddle in sun or shade as you desired. We passed a lot of kayaks and some kayaks passed us. Everyone was happy and pleasant. Due to the nature of the waterway, there were no intermediate stopping points – I was glad I brought my backpacking sit pad (which I also use as a camping pillow) to keep my tender buttocks happy. As one kayaker said: “it’s not the paddling, it is the sitting that gets you”.
Great Dismal Swamp Canal. 6 May 2023.
The water in this area is dark brown with tannins, which makes it super reflective – in pictures the water looks blue because it is reflecting the sky, but it is really a rich, dark brown. The brownness of the water also makes it difficult to see below the surface, so there is a potential to hit logs and such when paddling out of the main channel. We did hit a couple of obstacles, but nothing major. Anacostia Riverpup handled the bumps just fine from her typical perch on the bow deck of the kayak. Anacostia swapped between Kelly and my kayaks often – the other paddlers thought it impressive how She can jump from boat to boat. She did get distracted by other paddlers and fell in twice (once from Kelly’s kayak and once from mine), but I still think she had as much fun as we did. I hauled Anacostia back into my kayak after both of her ‘swims’ and can vouch for how refreshing the water was that day! I can also say that Anacostia does not swim well and her life jacket makes it so much easier to load her back in the boat.
Ballahack Boat Ramp, Great Dismal Swamp Canal, Chesapeake, VA. 6 May 2023.
All too soon we were at the Ballahack Boat Ramp. There were big floaties, a fake alligator, and a boat wrangler standing in chest deep water to help us not miss the ramp. There was also a knowledgeable person on the bulkhead shouting out advice on getting into the ramp safely. I do not want to know how she knew which kayaks have skegs and which do not but her advice was excellent and saved some people big $$. Once in the boat ramp area you were guided to a carpeted zone (so as not to damage your boat) and then magically your boat was transferred from the ramp to a staging zone. From the boat ramp you were able to grab some BBQ and walk to get your car. Then you drove your car to the staging zone and we loaded our boats on the car, but volunteers were there to help with the process.
An event like this is a big effort for the organizers. What do they get in return? 1) They are able to demonstrate that many people do use the infrastructure developed for kayaks. 2) There is a conservation purpose in getting kayakers out, because people are more likely to care about waters they know. 3) There is an economic benefit to having out of town paddlers show up. We had to pay for lodging, meals, Cinco de Mayo margaritas, gas, etc. 4) We did the Paddle the Peake Challenge (https://www.visitchesapeake.com/paddlethepeake/) in 2021 and were blown away at the diversity and beauty of paddling in this area – and we keep coming back for more paddling treats! We are currently in the process of planning another trip to the area. If this event had been our introduction to the area – we would still be coming back, this area has some splendid paddling. Thank you to the cities of Chesapeake, VA and South Mills, NC for sharing your wonderfulness we will be back!
biologistsoup 