Mason Neck, VA (USA)

This is the time of year when we usually start renting canoes and kayaks at Lake Accotink and Pohick Bay Regional Park. But 2017 started out better than usual: my friend, Reza, showed us where he keeps his watercraft and said we could use them! Armed with brand new PFDs from Cabela's, we drove to Mason Neck at 1215 and headed north along the bay. The waterfront homes were amazing and we saw lots of people sunning and fishing from their fancy docks. We also enjoyed close-up views of several pairs of ospreys, bald eagles, blue herons, kingfishers, a hawk and countless waterfowl. And we didn't even try to visit the NWR (next time). There weren't even any bugs! Our paddling took us almost to the place on Pohick Bay where we'd turned around last spring. On the way back, we explored a small creek with even more spectacular wildlife encounters (including deer). To our surprise, we suddenly realized we'd found the water side of the old port landing for Gunston Hall! We've been there plenty of times and recognized the fences, trails and benches for reflection. I told Mollie that our discovery reminded me of when Bob, Frank and I used canoes to search the creeks that led right up to the backyard of our home in Milton (FL). Back out on the Potomac, we used some strong strokes on the wavy water to get back to Reza's. All told, we spent over three hours afloat. We'll definitely be back!  On the way home, we stopped to talk to some people doing orienteering - Mollie very interested (hmmm...).