Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-08-28
PLEASURES ON THIS WATER.
The Effect Of CkSi WEATHER and Bas>
Rail- Excitementbn Rowing.

Rail- Exeitementbn Rowing.
| NoTICEABLE FALLING OFF IN THE NcNBER
OF AQUATIC PLEASURE PARTIEs-THE YoUSG
| LADIES STILL EAGER FOR BoArLNG-A SCENE
AT A CLUB HOSEA BOAT LOAD OF aIHEH,
ETC.
No city offers more advantages for rowing
than Washington. The stfosch OF wates be-
tween the Aqueduct and the Cham bridge
cannot be surpassed for pleasure boating,
while the national course be Tween Long bridge
and West Washington is regarded by all oars
men who have rowed on IL unususlly
good one. Above West Washington the water
is scarcely ever rough even for shells, and never
dangerously 70, except during storm. The
scenery along the Virginia shore IL lovely,
while the absence Of steamboats,, which usually
| interfere with boating elsewhere near lskgs
cities, inspires a feeling q security among the
merry boating parties who, on moonlight
night, drift slowV down the stream from the
up river landings Where, perhaps. the evening
scenery, cool, refreshing breezes and d substan-
tial lunch spread upon one OF the many pic
have avssed OF tSs
peculiar advantages afforded by the 4eautif0
Potomac for enjoying aquatic pleasures. and
the ladies have not been much in the minority.
THE BOAT CKuBs.
The three leading boat clubs, the Potomac,
internal dissensions and external disagree.
ments, have been the means Of developing the
muscles OF many a yodnsster and Of turning
him out on the world a'strong healthy man.
SOME OF THE RESULTS.
Many q one, too, having passed the period Of
enthusiastic shell rowing has become infatuated
with the pleasures of "mixed" rowing, with the
not infrequent result q engagement and mar
riage. 1t often happens that a visitor to one Of
the boat houses On u pleasant evening will
-I.,< hxNat fxv Tsp,,
ago, now surrounded by his little ones whom
nc Is taking out for arrow ON fhe river he has
means of his securing his life partner The
boat clubs are all IN nourishing condition, but
the present season has differed from all that
preceded 1t. The Potomac river regatta prom
ises TO be a complete success, aud to furnish
lively sport before the close OF the present
month, but the season has been unusually
dead.
FALLING OFF IN PLEASURE BOATING.
Crew rowing has been kept up by the unceas-
ing efforts OF few enthusiasts, but the pleasure
boats that go out from the different club houses
are small in number compared to former sea-
sons. "What is she reason OF 1t all?" asked q
STAR reporter OF q leading boating man, who
was CONNIE ting upon the small number OF
pleasure boats that left the club boat house.
ply. I'm the nrst place the spring was very
backward, and before the boys had realized
that it was time to don their uniforms and take
way fhe we're With With the s sp anasa
playing of the home club at the start and many
preferred to watch the game, to going out in
the water for spin. II il hadn't been for the le
up in the play ing Of the home team and their
periodical absences, we would have had some
Potomac river regatta. Bicycling and tennis
have engaged the attention Of u good many
oarsmen, particularly the iorm4, A good
many took to wheeling for the SAKE Of con-
venience, intending to ride over to the club
house on their wheels. They learned TO love
pushing q wheel better than pulling an oar. L
"A kaS
change. Then, too, this has been An
ceptionalIy cold summer and there has seldom
like one of the up river landings, In which to
spend the evening comfortably after per-
s sDe regular ' trip. Of a0a Inc little ,a n
yacht Dixie have materially interter-- With
pleasure rowing. The fact that one can enjoy q
change of clothes. and q hard pull, has deferred
many from taking out their boats, for an even
lazy"
THE GIRLS STILL TRUE TO THE OAR.
"There goes a nice boat load" said the re-
porter, pointing to a capacious boat, containing
a number Of attractive white dresses Eyes,
but you see there are only two fellows in that
boat" was the reply, land it doesn't belong 70
boating the girls are noAAthsv DE as entausias-
tic as ever over the-dekg9s Of an evening on
ns s Ssness dns mi. mt no, ,os inc rTs n
the girls they will find others that will
companion, a q collision seemed immi-
nent between the boat referred to and q
shell shell that was SWINGING in towards the club
tered, a little later as he nervously chewed
the end OF his cigar. The reporter had
essn 1 intent e watching shs shea speeding
crew, but at this remark he turned his eyes to-
wards the pleasure boat There was q general
interchange Of positions going on. One OF the
girls evidently wanted to row. Two or three
were standing at the same time, and the craft,
their unsteady iset, with the usual accompani.
ment OF girlsh Shrleks. They were not CITES OF
fright, unfortunately. The occupants did not
"Confound IT, continued the club man. II
wish fools would keep away from the river.
Every evening l expect to have to shove Oot
To rescue souie such party ~ thar. A club man
never W 'uld allow such monkey business a.
that. It's only the green ones that are reck-
less. The most experienced boating Hfen are
the most careful, particularly when ladies ate
In the bOatS The smell Was, by this time, along
side the hoat, and iHE STAR mans com pauien
hurried away to .etp put things 10 right.
AN UNLUCKY FISHING TRIP.
Soon the steam launch Dixie came down the
river. She stOPped at the fiotrt and two travel
stained passengers disembarieA The rsp6rter
recos nized them as two prominent bicyclers.
Iaey mad taken holiday and gone to Chain
bridge fishing. This was their story US related
by one OF them ~ boating friend: 1--WE took
the cars to West Washington, expecting 70
CdtCn TIE sIdSe, Out IL wasn't running. We
Were determined, however and footed il to the
bridge kished several hours ON this side, with
no luck, and then wantef 70 reach the Virginia
side. couldn't get any Ubdy- 10 row us across
So We walked the bridge. No luck ON the other
side, and We wanted to go home We concluded
tocontinue down the Virginia side to the Dixie
landing 1t was hard work, but we finally
struck path, which we were sure would take
US to our destination. We came across u fork
In the path, but Jim knew which one 10 take,
he said, 50 we trudged on. After awhile
thought We must De 0aartng Alexandria, when
caught sight of the top OF bridge through the
trees dion't know there was q bridge around
here remarked. Jim stopped short, and az.
claimed: Great Scott! George, Its Chain bridget
And IT was, aud We had walked ovsr those VII.
ginia hills rig Int back to Oupetarting point. We
were pretty we'll tuekersd, 1psll you, aud Were
willing To pay a col6red Msn good price TO
row Us down TO the Dixie landing. Here we
are az last, and nrst we want something to eat,
and then We .want 50 60 to Sleep" With thfs
the pair oI dusty and s0re-ioOted pedestriuna
disappeared, and YEARLY climbed the hill TO the
street cars.