Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-23

~ HE canoe craze In this section is CON-
stantly developing more interest in
the upper Potomac as place for
- an ideal outdoor life. and the beau
ties OF the historic old river and
the bordering country are year by year
having a reciprocal influence on the boat
ing sport. The number of canoes and other
small craft on the river this season will
be much larger than last, unless the signs
of the times giving the lie.
A feature OF this seasons canoeing will
doubtless be the large number OF extended
trips up the river. Those who have never
been beyond the swift water Just below
Chain bridge, and even those who are not
acquainted with the enticing stretches Of
canal and river for miles above Great
Falls, do not know one-third of the pleas
ures OF the sport. For this sort Of a
journey 1t is necessary to put the craft into
good shape; to patch all worn places in
the canvas-if It is a canvas-covered boat.
as most Of them are in this part of the
country-and to spread a liberal coating of
paint or varnish over the exterior TO pro-
tect 1t from the weather.
A greater amount of skill Is required to
navigate the rapids away up stream than
TO float easily over the deep, slow-fowing
current near town: but after all there is no
trip so pleasant.
To make the journey from Georgetown to
Harpers Ferry by river and canal-taking
the latter In places where the river is not
navigable-requires only about a week, CIV
ing the canoeists plenty of time to loaf
along the route and enjoy nature. Those
who go for the first time usually make Il
enc OF discovery from necessity, and often
go far out Of their way to find con-
.veniences and pleasures that. had they
been over the way before they would
know were close at hand. The experience
OF others IS, therefore, eagerly sought by
prospective travellers and hours are spent
porting over roughly-drawn maps and ask
Ing questions about this and that camping
spot
Two In a canoe Is usually the rule. though
three or four are not too many and make
the party all the merrier. A fleet Of the
little craft would but increase the fun that
much more. small dog tent, such as Is
used by the army in campaigning in the
open, will give comfortable shelter for two,
and rubber and wooden blanket are usual
lily taken along by each member of the
party. Ratchet. milk pail a camera
and some fishing tackle make the equip
tment about complete. although each party
has Its own Ideas about this. The clothing
of the canoelst generally consists OF some-
thing heavy enough on the outside TO pro-
!tect from the rain and the chill and under
garments which may be worn alone II the
day Is a warm one and the course Of the
canoe without the limits OF civilization.
?
Before starting the business man of the
party calls at the office OF the canal COM
,pany In Georgetown and purchases a way
bill, which entities the holder to take his
BOAT or boats through the locks. The cost
from Georgetown TO Harper's Ferry and re-
turn is something over 50 for each canoe,
there being thirty-three locks in that dis
ttancs. most Of which have to be passed
through
For the first two miles the course Is
on the river. This enables the party to
start directly from one OF the boat houses
along the Georgetown river front At
point about one mile this side OF Chain
bridge, IN cove IN "Stoney Meadow" on
the District shore. there is a portage to
the canal. II Is but a few hundred feet
in length and the longest that It Is neces-
sary TO make on the entire trip from here
TO Harpers Ferry. BY following the canal
for the next eighteen or twenty miles 1t is
possible to avoid all OF the rough and
dangerous portions OF the river between
here and Seneca, Nd. and. besides. enjoy
The picturesque scenery OF OF the
zflost attractive stretches OF the ancient
waterway.
The distance from the first portage to
Great Falls is about fourteen miles, and
the journey is pleasantly relieved of mo-
notony by sixteen locks, tended by kindly
and hospitable lockmen. who are always
ready for a chat. In the course of which
they will often tmpart considerable inter-
esting information about the surrounding
country. Three OF the locks mentioned are
between Chain bridge and Cabin John
bridge; seven close together just above
the latter place and form little settle
frient called Seven Locks: the other six are
In the last mile 10 the Falls. Just below
the last six the canal wI6eHs into long
lake dotted with little islands and bordered
on one side by high overhanging cliffs.
10 this place the canal men have given
the name The Log Wall possibly from
the manner In which the wall between 1t
and the river is constructed. The river
ts on a much lower level than the canal at
this point. This Is q favorits spot for