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.

Shenandoah - favorite run

August 14, 2016

On Sunday August 14, 2016, a group of 6 of us met at the Berry's Ferry boat ramp for Sunday Funday.  Hottest day of the year = best time to be on the river.

We had 1 SUP, 1 canoe and 4 kayaks with us.  This is probably my favorite run in the area for an all day paddle.

We started roughly just before noon and paddled over 9 miles in just under 6 hours.  I'm estimating because my tracker wasn't working properly and I didn't stop it for breaks.

About 1/3 of the way into the trip there is a spring fed waterfall/swimming hole on the left just past the 1st set of wires that cross over the river.  You can hear the waterfall from the main part of the river.  The waterfall/creek is called Spout Run and is ice cold compared to the river.  Very much needed after being out in the 100 degree heat.

As is the case each time I've been on this portion of the river, we saw a couple bald eagles.  We were able to get pretty close to them as they hung out in the trees on the side of the river.

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.

Monocacy

Saturday July 11, 2015

Our friends Jeff and Christa recently moved to Frederick across the street from the Monocacy Blvd. boat ramp.  Since Chad was at the beach, I decided to join Jeff/Christa for a trip down the Monocacy.

We started shortly after noon.  Three of us put in at the boat ramp at Devilbiss Road.  We then leisurely paddled about 6 miles to the take-out point at the Monocacy Blvd. bridge.  Both the launch and the take out were easy.  The river was high and moving faster than normal but still somewhat slow.  It was also very muddy.  We brought along a floating cooler, named Boozey, that we towed behind us.  I did notice a slight drag on the kayak from towing the cooler but it wasn't too bad.

The trip took us about 3-3.5 hours.  We saw some cool rock formations along the banks.  Part of what I love about the Monocacy is that it feels like a private river with no distractions/light traffic.  We saw some Kingfishers, Osprey, Herons.  A train crossed the bridge right as we were going under it so we wave to all the passengers.

Overall it was a very easy paddle and one that would be good to do on short notice.