Aquia Landing Park to Tim's Rivershore, Dumfries

** This trip is a Make-A-Wish fundraiser started by a runner in Richmond who has raised roughly $30K over the last few years. 'Hash Across America' is a symbol of the Hash House Harriers, a conglomerate of social running groups spanning the globe. **

Weather permitting, 'Hash Across America' is set to embark on a 14 mile journey from Aquia Landing Park in Stafford north along the western shore of the Potomac River to Tim's Rivershore in Dumfries via kayak on Sunday 11Apr. At 2-3 mph I expect the trip to take about 7 hours with a couple of breaks. The wind forecast has shifted from ENE to WSW.

Alternate landing:

Tim's is expected to open through the beginning of May. However, in the event Tim's does not open 9-11Apr, HAA will make landfall 1 mile north at Leesylvania State Park.

Tracking:

HAA is equipped with a SPOT gps tracker. The owner of the tracker may follow and post our waypoints throughout the day. I will coordinate to find a public site showing HAA's location as SPOT updates. I may also havanother method for yas all to track my course. Final details will get posted by Friday 9Apr.

Communication:

I will have a handheld marine radio and a handheld amateur radio for redundant communication. The marine radio will monitor marine VHF channel 16 with vessel id TuTu, and the amateur radio will monitor the frequency 146.520 MHz FM.

Ways to join in on the fun:

• See HAA off from Aquia Landing Park
• Catch a short roundtrip journey from Aquia Landing Park
• Catch a short roundtrip journey from Tim's
• Catch a short roundtrip journey from some point along the way
• Cruise alongside by boat (please don't blow a wake)
• Welcoming HAA as it makes landfall at Tim's

Warning: The length of this trip is not for the faint of heart or beginners.

Caution: Water is deadly, wear your PFD!

Stops:

I plan on making at least two recuperation stops along the way that will double as emergency transfer points in case I am unable to continue. I will share these points before the trip. I encourage all to show support by showing up at Tim's to welcome 'HAA' as it makes landfall.

Patrick's Pledge:

At the end of 'HAA's journey with me, I am pledging a $250 donation to Make-A-Wish.

Paddling OnOn, Patrick ...