Mark on the Shore

Mark’s Score  9.3

I do not like the summer in Delmarva. The temperature rarely falls below 90⁰ F (32⁰ C) in July and August, and it is always humid.  So, I wait for cooler weather to do outdoor activities. The temperature has been firmly in the 70s F (20s C) for the past couple weeks so once again I have begun to venture outdoors. 

The Delmarva is a low-lying peninsula surrounded by ocean and bays and crisscrossed with slow moving tidal rivers and marshes. In other words, perfect terrain for canoeing and kayaking. I have been thinking about buying a pedal powered kayak. So, I made a reservation at Pocomoke River Canoe Company to test drive one. The Pocomoke River Canoe Company both rents and sells kayaks and canoes. They generally do not rent out the pedal powered kayaks but they kindly allowed me to rent a pedal powered kayak for a test drive.

I have never kayaked in a pedal kayak so Barry, who was working behind the counter, helped me maneuver the kayak into the water and gave me a crash course on how to operate one. He also recommended that I pedal upriver, because it is prettier in that direction, being my first time on the Pocomoke, the advice was welcome. 

It was the perfect day for kayaking. It was cloudy and relatively cool (it can get hot under those lifejackets). Also given that it is well beyond tourist season and a weekday I had the whole river to myself. I suppose there are prettier rivers in the world but I appreciate the charm of the slow-moving wetlands of Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Better yet, the river mostly passes through state parks, so it is unspoiled. 

I was a bit concerned about going out alone on a kayak I had never operated before on a river I had never traversed. But my concern was frivolous. Less than two minutes out on the river and I was overcome with a sense of peace and contentment. The boat was easy to pedal and the rudder made it easy to maneuver.

There were no birds on the water. But the fish were jumping and the leaves on the trees were beginning to change. I also saw a couple of beautiful and majestic bald cypress, standing tall and alone in the still water, this is the northern limit of their territory.  

There were also several duck blinds. The Chesapeake Bay was once famous for its duck hunting. We are on the main migratory route for a variety of ducks. It is a bit early yet for the ducks, but it won’t be long before they return for the winter.

So, did I buy the pedal kayak? No, sadly the propeller mechanism and chair made it too bulky and heavy for me to move on my own. But I can always rent a paddle kayak on the Pocomoke River, and I definitely will be back.