Ten Mile Paddle

[Zen]

My first long paddle on the Potomac. I am pooped and my biceps are bulging but I got some pretty decent photos.
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/Paddling/P1000648.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/Paddling/P1000649.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/Paddling/P1000650.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/Paddling/P1000666.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/Paddling/P1000636.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/Paddling/P1000626.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/Paddling/P1000672.jpg

[Blueberry]

Awwww....love the turtle! Thanks for sharing:)

[NoNo]

What a cool tree! I hope to get on the water again soon, but the weekends haven't been cooperating.:(

[Zen]

I am wanting to enter a photo contest.
Which category would the tree fit in?
"Photos will be judged in six categories: birds, wildlife, insects, scenic, floral and outdoor recreation."

It's not scenic and it's not a flower but it is botanical. :confused:

[OakLeaf]

I think it's scenic.

Looks like a beautiful paddle.

[Zen]

It was flat water fabulous.

I think Scenic would be like landscape?

[NoNo]

Scenic sounds about right.

[divingbiker]

Trees = botany, right? I'd say botanical.

[Zen]

There is no botanical category , just floral (flora).

Although "Flora, fauna and other forms of life such as fungi are collectively referred to as biota. "
They should have called it biota :o
I'll have to look closer at the rules

[Cataboo]

Looks like a great paddle - I hope it was a shuttled one way paddle :)

Where'd you put in?

Rotate your torso and theoretically your biceps won't be bulging.

[Zen]

It was out and back, Cushwa Basin (Wmsport) to Dam 5 then back.

Theoretically being the operative word in that sentence.

[Cataboo]

that sounds like a story we need to hear.

Is there much of a current up there?

[kmehrzad]

that sounds like a story we need to hear.

Maybe that will be in Zen's autobiography.

[Zen]

Is there much of a current up there?

Not much to speak of. Not really hard to paddle against unless the wind kicks up.
The return trip was much faster, though.


Maybe that will be in Zen's autobiography.
There will be better stories than this one in my autobiography:eek:

[lph]

Wow, great photos, and kudos on a long paddle. Love the turtle and the tree!

[Cataboo]

Theoretically being the operative word in that sentence.


You've seen my biceps & lack of arm muscles - putting rotation in does relieve the arms.

I'm also capable of riding a bike with no defined leg muscles.

[Zen]

I tend to wobble when i use the rotation method.

At least I know now that knees go under the little pads on the side.

Practice this Friday , 10 AM, come on!

[Tuckervill]

I did 11 miles one way on the Buffalo National River. The water was high, and I thought it would be faster, but I had to paddle hard the last two hours to get out by a decent hour (in time to shuttle and get supper ready for the crowd).

Your boat has pads? If they're not for the knees, what are they for?

Karen

[Zen]

You put your knees under them to stabilize your body thereby enabling you to use more of your core for power instead of just arms.

That's in theory, anyway.

[Kubla]

Zen, thank you for reminding me that I need to get the kayak rack on my car this weekend. I've been wanting to paddle...and seeing your photos brought it all home again.

Loved the photo of the tree roots (what kind of tree is that?) and the turtle, especially.

[Tuckervill]

I only engage my core when I need to really move the boat, anyway (getting out of the way of 12 year olds in canoes, for one). There is a reason they call it "floating the Buffalo". It's relaxed and easy going. That's why I like it. :)

Karen

[Zen]

(what kind of tree is that?)

Thanks.
my best guess on the tree is Sycamore.

[Kubla]

Thanks Zen...DBF was looking over my shoulder and enjoyed your paddling photos as well.

Ever since he bought a motor boat a few years ago, I have to kayak alone. The "real" boat is fun, but it takes up far too much time and money-at the exclusion of other activities that we enjoy.

[Cataboo]

I tend to wobble when i use the rotation method.

At least I know now that knees go under the little pads on the side.

Practice this Friday , 10 AM, come on!


If you practice, the wobble goes away.

I wedge myself in so my feet are against the foot pegs, knees are pressed to the side of the boat underneath the knee/thigh pads.

Gives great control of the boat, you wiggle your hips, the boat moves with you - if you want to turn a specific way, lift up the knee on that side, tilting the boat the opposite way and your boat will turn towards the high side out of the water.


I'm doing a potomac river camper trip this weekend, so I can't go practice with you - Leaving Colonial beach Friday morning. Camping at 2 spots along the way. Taking out at point Lookout park. 20 miles a day of paddling, roughly.

[DebW]

I am wanting to enter a photo contest.
Which category would the tree fit in?
"Photos will be judged in six categories: birds, wildlife, insects, scenic, floral and outdoor recreation."

It's not scenic and it's not a flower but it is botanical. :confused:

Superbe pictures! I think the tree should go in floral.

[tulip]

I'm doing a potomac river camper trip this weekend, so I can't go practice with you - Leaving Colonial beach Friday morning. Camping at 2 spots along the way. Taking out at point Lookout park. 20 miles a day of paddling, roughly.

It's been a long-term dream/idea of mine to paddle from DC to the Northern Neck--down the Potomac and around to the mouth of the Rappahanock and then into Carter's Creek.

Catriona, do you think that's doable? How long would you give it? Want to do it with me sometime?

Zen, your photos are lovely! That tree photo should definitely go into a photo contest. I agree, it looks like a sycamore.

[Cataboo]

Tulip, it's doable and I'd do it with you. There's enough civilization stops along the way,that you don't have to bring too much water and/or food.

The group I'm going with is a group that has basically been doing that - but they've broken it up into 1 weekend trip a month to make the logistics easier for everyone taking off work. I think this is their third stage - I can't remember what i was doing the last 2 months, but I think they were weekends I already had plans that I couldn't change.

[Zen]

I see three roadblocks to this plan.
1)Tulip has no kayak.
2)Catriona is always doing something. If I recall, we were supposed to do the Virginia Creeper last summer :rolleyes:just sayin'.
3) I wanna go!

[tulip]

Correction:

Tulip has no kayak, YET.

I'm thinking of this for next year, anyways. And since I've replaced every major system in my house over the past year, I'm confident there won't be any more surprises that will deplete my kayak fund. I mean, what other major systems are there in a house besides the plumbing (done!), the electrical (mostly done!), the kitchen (done!) the HVAC (done!), and the roof (done!)? Everything else is cosmetic and that Can. Just. Wait.

[Cataboo]

I see three roadblocks to this plan.
1)Tulip has no kayak.
2)Catriona is always doing something. If I recall, we were supposed to do the Virginia Creeper last summer :rolleyes:just sayin'.
3) I wanna go!


True. I am a horribly shitty friend that always has a ton of things going on - but I am always theoretically game for a trip! And I can always help tulip find a kayak - I helped you!


I was supposed to go do a hilly bike ride with Kmerzhad on Friday so we could get in shape for Bike Virginia, but then I remembered I had a kayaking weekend to go to - so instead i just made her a hillier bike route and a cue sheet.

Btw - the bridge over Black mills road going to Wilhide from Layman's is closed for construction - so if you're trying to avoid the hill on Hessong Bridge you can't - luckily I saw that yesterday otherwise I woulda sent Kmerzhad into a creek.

[kmehrzad]

...luckily I saw that yesterday otherwise I woulda sent Kmerzhad into a creek.

Into a creek without a paddle (or a kayak).

[Zen]

And I can always help tulip find a kayak - I helped you!



You done good, kid.
Everyone is telling me what a great price that was and what a nice boat it is.

Today's paddle-
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/Paddling/P1000705.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/Paddling/P1000702.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/Paddling/P1000692.jpg

Not so exciting as last time. Still a great paddle

[twin]

What brand of kayaks do you use? I plan to purchase a flat water kayak soon. I wish I lived near someone that could help. I am in Oklahoma and at least we have water.

[Zen]

Mine is the one being discussed in this thread (http://forums.outdoorsdirectory.com/showthread.php?t=52811). Scroll down to the bottom for a photo.
This is my first year owning a kayak and it's been a learn as you go experience. I chose this one because Catriona told me there was a kayak at Costco for a reasonable price. I said let's go get it.

I do have to say it was money well spent.