Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-15

unless all relative signs fan COM
pletely the approaching canoeing
season will he The best this vicln-
~ ity has ever known In point of
numbers Of canUeists on the river
and their general activities in con-
ueciou with the sport. The first large
Organization for local cauoeists, separate
and distinct from other river clubs.
was established early last fall, and
today has one of the finest club houses on
tn, river front. Since its formation others
have caught the fever. and two more clubs
have followed the lead OF the Washington
Canoe Club In the past there has always
been a small number of devotees Of the
padding sport on the Potomac. and among
the number not few experts have been
developed. But the canoe has become gen
orally popular only in the past two years.
During this time the increase in the num-
Der of little craft hereabouts has been
steady SO that today the boatman who is
not canoeist is not in fashion.
IL has been said that when sport COM
bines the features Of good bodily exercise.
outdoor breathing and the chance to OBJ
serve natures beauties AT their best, il is
about the finest sport that can be ina gined
This is canoeing exactly and such Is the
fascination attached TO it that the saving
'DUce canocist always cauoeist." is
pretty near literally true.
OF course. it Is essential that there be an
abundance Of natures beauties near enough
for the paddler to reach without too great
effort and expense of time in order that a
canoeing locality may be ideal The mere
exercise Of welding the paddle, which how
ever, should not be moderated and the
benefit Of breathing good, pure air can be
found practically everywhere that enough
water exists to comfortably float a canoe.
Scenic waters, picturesque shores and sur
rounding country of varied interest are not
always so easily discovered But Washing
ton boatmen have the latter at their very
doors.
A ride 70 the Georgetown terminal of the
city street car lines brings one to the be-
ginning of a most beautiful stretch of river,
which is continuous for a hundred miles to
the northwest and absolutely accessible to
the canoe throughout that distance. accord
tug to the time and energy which one de-
sires % expeud. There is pleasure in it botn
for the lazy man and for the cruiser who
likes 10 take week or month OF from
city toll
Were II not for the Chesapeake and Ohio
canal. so old as 70 nearly equal the river
IN Its natural pictureSQ the loyeliest
and most fascinating portions of the river
would be much beyond the convenient reacn
OF boat OF any size; but this long and
snake-like body OF water. running prac-~
tically within a stones throw Of the Poto-
mac from Georgetown 10 Cumberland. Md.
invites the small boat upon it's bosom ana
bears IL to the farthest spots. away from
railroad and oftimes from wagon road and
foot parth. II is scarcely any effort at all
TO carry canoe from the river to the canal
and back again at almost any point along
the route. so that the dangerous places In
the former may be easily avoided and the
pleasure OF padding on the larger body or
water retained where II is desired
While there is great pleasure TO be found
in canoeing on the river within few miles
OF the city--say between Georgetown and
Chain bridge-the real enjoyment is found
In the longer trips. when one lives in and
with the canoe for week or a month at a
time. There Is a beautiful stretch OF water
for padding just above High Island. ex-
tending almost TO a point opposite Cabin
John Bridge but even this place which is