Second Canoe Trip

(This post is by Nick and Dad)
We bought a used canoe a few weeks ago and we took it out to Beaver Creek Dam Reservoir, but it was too windy and we didn't stay long. Dad and I got poison ivy.

Today we went canoeing on the Potomac River. We started at Goose Creek (Kephart Bridge Landing - 43942 Riverpoint Drive) and went to Algokian Park. It was hard to find the launch place.

Here's the map.View Larger Map



It took 30 minutes to get to the water. First we went to the pickup point and looked around. Then we drove to the starting point.

Then we canoed while Mom went in the car to pickup point to get us. The water was muddy with all of the rain we have gotten. It took 3 hours and 30 minutes to unload the canoe, make the trip on water and load the canoe back onto the van at the pickup site.

We saw turtles, blue herons and a bald eagle. We didn't fish any, but there were some people catching flathead and channel catfish.

When we went home we went outside and played.

Here are directions from to the place thanks to Ben's Kayak Site. Ben has a great site and responded quickly to some questions we had.

• START: Kephart Bridge Landing
  There is paved parking for a dozen vehicles and the water is a short (100 yard) walk from the parking lot. The only problem with this "park" is that the entrance can be easy to miss -- look for two stone pillars between houses and a small brown sign indicating the park entrance at 43942 Riverpoint Drive.
  
  Since Google Earth hasn't filled in all the new streets in this neighborhood, here are directions: From Belmont Ridge Road, cross over Riverside Parkway, turn left onto Riverpoint Drive. Keep going approximately 1 mile. The park will be on your left at 43942 Riverpoint Drive.
  
  
• END: Algonkian Park
  In contrast to Kephart Bridge Landing, Algonkian Park is easy to locate in the heart of the Cascades neighborhood. There is ample space to park your pick-up vehicle, and even picnic tables and restrooms to take a break after your outing. There is a $2 fee for using the boat ramp so bring exact change and a pen for filling out the envelope, and help support this great asset to Potomac boaters.

We plan to put some pictures on the blog soon, but we forgot the camera this time.