Philly to Baltimore Kayak Paddle - Day 1

It was a day of goodbyes. Sights of the skyline were visible from the river most of the day. As I would stop for a break, I would gaze back at the City of Brotherly Love with a deep fondness. It is the life I lead in this city that affords me the opportunity to do things like this. I started from the Schuylkill Banks dock under the Walnut Street Bridge and the plan was to meet my wife, Heather, and her mother at the NJ Route 130 bridge over Racoon Creek.

The water on the Schuylkill was was calm and I timed my departure so that I would reach the Delaware as the tide was going out.

This man looks to be full of confidence.

The Hidden River was like glass.

I learned my first lesson quickly as I was approaching the Delaware River - to keep my head on a swivel. As I was paddling along, down the middle of the river near the refineries, I heard a voice call from behind me, "Hey. Hey. Hey you." It didn't make any sense to me since no one could be directly behind me without me hearing their vessel approaching. I turned around and sure enough a barge was barreling down on me. The gentleman on the bow asked if I could move over and I quickly got out of the way. As the barge and tug passed by the young man thanked me. I was a little disturbed that I didn't hear them approaching. I was glad it happened there and then though and not under worse circumstances.

The barge and tug that almost run'd me over.

I then made my way across the Delaware River for a brunch break. As I crossed I took little breaks to wave at the airplanes leaving and landing at the Philadelphia International Airport. I imagine anyone who happened to be looking out their windows could see me. In no time at all I was at the River Winds Park in West Deptford, NJ. Here I drank some coffee and ate a Clif Bar. Clif Bars made up most of my diet for the entire trip.

View from River Winds, NJ.

The last time I had paddled in this area I had seen four bald eagles and an osprey. Between this point and my final destination for the day I saw not only bald eagles and ospreys, but golden eagles as well. All were putting on a great show as I paddled along the NJ shoreline. It was pretty spectacular site and I was very happy to be there to witness it. Most of the time I was not able to photograph them as I would not notice them until they started to fly away. I am currently looking for local Audubon Society groups to see if we can do an official count in this area of eagles and osprey. Kayaking may offer the best chance to see these birds along the river.

Three smaller bald eagles are in this photo, taken near Paulsboro, NJ. These little guys stuck around and I didn't even realize I had paddled past them until I heard them calling.

I then took a break for lunch on a rock pile in the middle of the river, as seen in the photo below. This was pretty close to the Commodore Barry Bridge and I did not have too much farther to go on this day. It was a good day on the water and I was hours ahead of schedule.

Picnic Table

After letting Heather know I was due early I made my way to Raccoon Creek and our meetup spot. From here I would be picked up and taken to my in-laws' house where the rest of the day would be spent relaxing in the pool, eating well and celebrating the beginning of this epic journey.

US 130 Raccoon Creek Drawbridge

 Day 1: 18.6 miles

Philly to Baltimore Kayak Paddle - How It All Began

In May of 2013 Heather and I attended her cousin's wedding at Camden Yards in Baltimore, MD. After the reception some of us walked around the Inner Harbor area near our hotel. It was at night, a near-full moon was in the sky and the water was still. As we reached a spot where we could look out at the expansiveness of the harbor I got to thinking... The harbor is connected to the Chesapeake Bay, the Chesapeake Bay is connected to the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal is connected to the Delaware River, the Delaware River is connected to the Schuylkill River... I think I can paddle here. Heather looked over at me as I was gazing over the water and she knew something was up.

When we returned to our room for the night I pitched the idea. Heather was not pleased, but who would be when a partner comes up with a scheme like this? This was not the first time I had decided to make a trip down the Schuylkill and Delaware rivers and the first time did not go so well as documented here: http://sparkcrafted.blogspot.com/2011/08/great-adventure.html

In my first attempt I had run out of water and food and the distance, wind and waves proved to be more than I was prepared for. So I could completely understand her trepidation.

This time over the course of a year I planned and mapped the course and then re-planned and remapped the course. I had also done more paddling leading up to this trip and my conditioning was much improved.

Now I will document this trip through this blog in seven parts to equal the amount of days it took me to complete the journey. I hope the readers find it as fascinating a trip as I found it to be. It had its ups and downs, highs and lows, but I don't regret it one bit. There are many ways to travel from Philadelphia, PA to Baltimore, MD, but this way is mine.

It could be said that I may be a little obsessed with human-powered travel. I am okay with that.