Northern Virginia Roll Call

I may go. You're welcome to join me...

 

^^^^^^^ This could explain away the worn brake pads...^^^^^^^

 

Yeah, I am moving a lot of heavy stuff but 95% of the time it is less than like 5 miles, all very local

 

Have you launched from Great Bridge Lock Park yet? its like a hidden gem place to go. it was one of those Kayak rollers so you can sit comfortably get all your shit secure, and then just roll right off into the water.

 

I tell my 5 year old all the time, if this was Russia you'd be working in a coal mine by now. Child Labor Laws are ruining this country!

 

That’s the only place I’ve been so far around here! It’s like 5 min from my house. If it’s not raining tomorrow that’s where I’ll go. It’s also where I’ll go for my “dry run”.

Planning a 3 day/2 night kayak camping trip on the upper Potomac so want to make sure all my gear fits, and is balanced well in there.

 

oh damn already planning that big of a trip. thats pretty nuts. Im going to get back into kayaking soon too after i move and get settled at my new place. ill be across the street from the potomac river.

Also one of my other favorite places to go thats tucked away is Munden Point Park https://www.google.com/maps/place/M...46e900b48a60247!8m2!3d36.583739!4d-76.0370797
you can Launch from there and theres also a pretty solid free disc golf course. its not too far from where you live. and the drive out there are the roads that always flood a lot after storms so it makes it fun!

 

Well I’ve been backpacking before so that’s nothing new to me, and the section of river is very calm and we’ll be camping at established camp sites. This is the route we’ll be taking.

https://www.nps.gov/pohe/planyourvisit/paddling-trip-ideas.htm

 

oh dang that looks awesome. that doesnt sound too strenuous either how many hours a day do you think that will be? I did a 2 day trip in Shenandoah when i was in high school and it was really calm too. plus you just called the company when you got to the end and they picked you up in a van lol. Its definitely a sweet hobby. did you buy a different roof rack or just get those mounts for kayaks on yours? I think when i get a kayak again, ill just through it in the back and tie it down lol.

 

I’m guessing 5-6 hours on the water each day, which is a decent amount of time and will still give us time to have a lazy morning and day light to set up camp.

For just little day trips I just toss it in the bed. But on camping trips where I bring the kayaks I’ll put them on the roof so I can have all my camping gear in the bed.

 

that set up looks legit! how are you liking the softopper now? its definitely nice to have that shade when you wanna lay down and take a break. if you are a beach guy its a life saver at those beaches you can drive on down in obx. dont have to worry about setting up umbrealls and awnings and shit.

 

The softopper is the freaking tits. I run it with no back window and 99% of the time it’s perfect. I can toss stuff in like an open bed but most everything is still protected from the water. While loading the truck, I’ll roll the sides up so I can reach in and out, maybe leave them up as I drive to camp for a decreased blind spot. Seriously, it’s the tits.

 

haha thats super awesome! have you seen the tent extension for it? even though i dont technically need it because i already have a 6ft bed, i may get it for a bit more space though since i camp out of the bed. Im ready for this heat to be gone so i can actually go enjoy some camping. Ive also never had any leaks when it rained one night while camping.

 

Nice man kayaking is great!

 

That’s actually not a bad idea around here.

 

I haven’t bothered since I can fit in my bed. I slept in it this last trip actually! It was very chilly on top of flagpole, mid 50s. Made for nice sleeping.

 

If I could fit in the bed thats exactly what I would do.

I have a small bed tho

 

It was nice not dealing with a wet tent in the morning. I’ve slept in the bed on a platform before and didn’t like it because my face was like 12” away from the ceiling of my cap. But with no platform it’s perfect. I can sit up in my bed if I want.

 

it definitely doesnt look like a necessity and may be a hassle to set up im not sure. whats your sleeping set up like in there? i wanna do something raised in mine, but i want everything to be easily removable.

 

When I get rid of my rtt, ill eventually spend the coin on a hard shell. I just havent been camping enough to justify it. But this fall/ winter we will see