The Call of the River

This paddle board is opening up a whole new world for me. I got up at 5:20 AM on Tuesday to meet my two paddle boarding buddies at Columbia Island Marina at 6:15. I gave myself a little extra time so I could make sure I properly strapped it on my car and, of course, have a cup of coffee. I’m getting pretty good at hoisting it up onto the rack, but the straps were still concerning me a little. I was working on tightening them when Chris shuffled out of the house to check my work. I was making it more complicated than necessary and leaving slack in places. He gave me one last tutorial, and off I went.

The river was like glass, and the only sounds we heard were a few cars driving over bridges and the occasional plane taking off from National. As I looked across the river, I could see a delivery truck making its way down a steep hill in Georgetown. To my left, a mama duck glided through the river with her four babies in tow. How is it that I’ve lived most of my life close to this river, but never made a habit of spending time on it unit now?

After a lovely paddle up the river and around Teddy Roosevelt Island and back, it was the moment of truth. I lifted the board on the top of the car and went to work on the straps. Within a few minutes, I had her tightly secured for my trip home. It’s only about a seven minute drive, but I’m mostly on the GW Parkway and 395, where a little slack in the straps could spell trouble with a capital T.

I eased into the driveway around 8:45, feeling on top of the world. I am heading out again for another early morning paddle tomorrow. The river is calling.