Cherry Blossom Paddle

Here's your chance to see DC's famous cherry blossoms at their peak bloom without enduring the crowds at the Tidal Basin. PLEASE NOTE: Sunday promises to reach 65 degrees, but the water will only be about 50-55 degrees, so YOU MUST WEAR A DRYSUIT OR WETSUIT. If you sign up for this and I have not paddled with you before, I may grill you -- gently -- about your cold-water gear and experience.

This will be a leisurely paddle of 10-12 miles at the most. The tide will be going out all afternoon, so our upstream voyage will be against the tide.

Another group of 15 kayakers will be doing this earlier in the day. They expect to return around 1:30. Meeting at 2 means we should not have any problems parking, and also gives you the morning free. You can sleep late, go to church, or go to Hector's swap meet at Lake Ridge to buy or sell kayaking gear.

Columbia Island Marina is right off the southbound George Washington Memorial Parkway, but easy to miss if you're not familiar with the route. If newcomers sign up, I will post detailed driving directions.