Chine bLog

Having shown off the boat, I wanted to jot down a few thoughts on our first paddle in PEACE OF THE PUZZLE. We had been doing a bit of sailing on the Potomac nearer to DC, and paddling in this creek, Kane's Creek, was such a pleasure. It was clean! Kane's Creek emerges from a national wildlife refuge and is thus relatively pristine, given its proximity to developed areas. The water was fairly clear and full of life. My kids were dangling the feet and hands in it - a true pleasure of childhood boating - and we had no concerns.

Not so, just downriver from DC. Off Alexandria, we run into a decent amount of C-R-A-P (we saw the figurative kind, but apparently after a good rain...) in the water and on the shore. There, my wife and I couldn't pull the kids' appendages inboard fast enough. I know we have made a great deal of progress, but we need to do more to make sure our urban riverscapes are treasures for boating of all kinds, not just the "nice view, but, dear god, don't flip it" kind.

Of course, I prefer the quiet of a creek like Kane's anyway. There are many little "islands" of aquatic plants to weave around, low bluffs, and just a bit of foliage (its been so hot here...). There is a good trip report for this paddle on Paddling.net.

By the way, thanks to our friends at American Rivers for suggesting we all focus on the joys of clean rivers on this day and others. October 15th is Blog Action Day for the environment. Please join me in helping out.

Gorgeous October day here outside DC, a perfect day to be on the water. Gulls and an osprey wheeling about, gusty nor'wester keeping things clear and cool, the pleasant surroundings of Mason Neck State Park (map) - just the environment to christen and launch the Peace Canoe. So christen it we did (the kids helped), using the very nastiest champaign I could inadvertently pick up. She is now PEACE OF THE PUZZLE. Enjoy some pictures of her first outing (we were lucky enough to come upon some friendly kayakers, one of whom took our picture and was kind enough to send it).

Thank you to all who have read about PEACE OF THE PUZZLE's birth and provided encouragement along the way. It was a blast and I look forward to some great family adventures ahead!