Brunswick to Point of Rocks

August 20, 2016

This weekend a group of 6 of us met at the Brunswick boat ramp for a float down the Potomac to Point of Rocks, MD.

We started just before noon, paddled up river from the Brunswick boat ramp until we got tired and then paddled about 7 miles down river to Point of Rocks (MD side; there is a POR VA side too).  It took us a little less than 4.5 hours with lots of stops.

The river was very crowded, more so than usual.  We passed a large group of tubers who ended at Lander's Lock as we kept going to Point of Rocks.

We saw a bald eagle swoop down to grab a fish.  We also saw some danger noodles (aka - snakes).  Perfect weather day.

Belle Haven

We again decided to meet Josh for a last-minute paddle, this time at Belle Haven Marina in Alexandria, VA.  The weather was not our friend so we were only on the water for about 40 minutes before the storms came.

Parking was easy, we drove all the way down to the right once you enter the marina.  There was no boat launch fee, however, I was told that technically there is but it is not enforced.  They also have rentals.

We started to head toward Dyke Marsh but due to the pending storm we decided to just do a quick loop around so Josh could introduce us to his local paddle spot.  Can't wait to go back here for a longer paddle.  It was pouring by the time we got back to our car.

rough start to 2016

Our 2016 kayak season got off to a slow start.  Cool weather in the Spring followed by me breaking my foot in May delayed us getting our boats out.

In late July we tried taking my friend from Atlanta out on the Potomac.  She rented at Fletcher's Boat House and we launched there for free.  We got on the Potomac at 11:15ish, paddled up river towards Chain Bridge.  The sky looked ominous so we turned around, making it to the cars just as the skies opened up.  Total time on the water was less than 45 minutes.

Weekend on the Wicomico

Saturday August 22nd through Sunday August 23rd

We spent the weekend at a friend's house on the Wicomico River in Bushwood, MD.  The area is really rural and quiet.  The house was facing the Wicomico River right where it joins the Potomac.  It is actually part of the Wicomico River Sanctuary, which meant lots of good bird sightings.  We saw multiple eagles and osprey.  There was an eagle's nest next to the house so we were lucky to see them up close and often.

The house had lots of water toys including a giant floating trampoline.  The first day we paddled out to a dive bar on the water and stopped in for a drink.  That paddle was about 20-30 minutes each way.  We saw tons of white jelly fish floating around in the river, a couple folks got stung.  They were HUGE jellyfish.  We all came back to the house and watched a beautiful sunset, ate crabs, followed by a beautiful moon set.

The second day, we paddled directly across the river, through the channel to Rock Point beach. We searched for sea glass and swam in the water.  The paddle itself was about 45 min. to an hour of straight paddling. 

The water is so big here you feel like you are on a bay rather than a river.  Beautiful place.

 The structure in the distance is the dive bar we paddled to.

The sandy area in the distance is Rock Point, the place we paddled for sea glass hunting.

Brunswick, MD to Lander's Lock Potomac River

Sunday, August 2, 2015

Today we met a group of friends in Brunswick, MD for a paddle from the Brunswick boat ramp to Lander Boat Ramp.  There were 8 of us in kayaks and 1 on a stand-up paddle board.  This was the first time we attempted (with success!) to get 2 kayaks on the top of my MINI Cooper.  No more driving separately for each trip!  The river was medium high, didn't encounter too many places with low water on the route. 

http://www.riverexplorer.com/details.php4?id=656

http://www.riverexplorer.com/details.php4?id=1361

We started out a little rocky with one person falling in immediately as she launched and another requiring first aid after a gash on the leg as we were preparing to enter.  After 6 years of kayaking I finally got to use my first-aid kit for the first time!

The trip itself is relatively short, we started around 9:45/10:00 and were off the river shortly after 2:00.  This is with very little paddling, lots of stops and hanging out along the way.  We fooled around quite a bit at each of our stops.  A dog even came out of the woods at one of the stops to say hello.

The river wasn't too crowded this day, there was some light traffic but overall we felt we had the river to ourselves.  As we came up to the boat ramp at the end, we weren't quite ready to get out so we hung out on the rocks in the middle of the river.  Good spot to sit in the river and let the water rush over you.

I like this trip but it is short.  We were somewhat limited in time as we had to rush to the airport afterwards but you can continue downriver to the Point of Rocks boat ramp or the mouth of the Monocacy for a longer paddle.

I also have recently installed the Sports Tracker app on my phone that allows you to track distance, speed, etc. but of course forgot to start it up when we started our paddle.  Will try to use it this weekend.

Harper's Ferry WV

Saturday, August 1, 2015

Today we met a group of Chad's friends out on the rocks in the Potomac river in Harper's Ferry, WV.  Parking is tough here but we finally got a spot near the Maryland Heights hiking trail.  There are a few small parking areas along the Maryland Heights side, otherwise you have to park in the town of Harper's Ferry and trek it with your stuff across the walking bridge.  After parking, we unloaded our back-pack cooler and a couple of tubes and walked down to the river.  The river access is along the tow path, you will see small trails cut out that lead down to the river.  Just pick a spot on the rocks to set up and you are done.

The view is amazing.  You can sit in the water while it rushes over you or find a low-current pool to chill out in (we did both).  This is looking downriver towards the train bridge:

The area is pretty crowded as outdoor companies have group tubing trips coming down all day. It is pretty hilarious to watch and listen to the groups as they hit those first rapids.  Chad saved an errant tube for a guy who lost it just prior to the rough stuff.  We walked up the tow path a few hundred yards and tubed back down to our spot.  Our tubes sit very low in the water so we had a few "COWABUNGA" moments.  Next time I would want a regular tube that sits higher in the water.

Overall, very relaxing and great place to swim.