Airing it Out

Over this long weekend, my husband has been home from work and we have taken advantage of the lovely weather by getting some exercise outside, alhamdulillah.   I usually don’t accompany my husband and son on their frisbee golf rounds, but we decided to take the whole family out and spend some time together.

We enjoyed the scenery and got a chance to stretch our legs while my husband  played frisbee golf.  This particular  18 hole frisbee golf course is located in a 100 yr. old park. 

The playground at this park isn’t very modern, but the children really like it anyway.  I think it’s because of  the tall slide, line of swings, and the rocking horse equipment. 

On another outdoor excursion, we paddled back to the same swimming hole that we visited last month.  We were blessed to continue to have the island to ourselves, maashaa Allah.  It isn’t accessible except by small craft.  Everyone’s legs are now sore from walking upstream against the current in order to float back down. 

Hauling driftwood to make a raft was also great exercise.

Alhamdulillah, the raft floated!

Currently, the family is resting from the adventures of the last couple of days as we plan for the adventures of the upcoming week.

First Dip of the Season

Paddling upstream into the wind blowing about 5 knots, I honestly didn’t know if I would be able to make it to the island in the middle of the James.  Alhamdulillah, after my husband hooked my kayak up to his canoe and towed us the rest of the way, we made it to our destination and the children romped around in the chilly water and explored the island.  Over the course of a year since we had visited,  a lot of sediment  had flowed downstream and our little swimming hole had filled in considerably.   They were able to stand in places that they weren’t able to last year. 

Freshwater mussel

We found a Canada goose nest and broken eggs, maashaa Allah.  I was really surprised how large their eggs are.

 

Kayaking back to the launch was much easier since it was downstream, although you still have to be cautious of the humongous underwater rocks.   Most canoeists and kayakers paddle downstream and are picked up at another spot farther down the James, but  we are just grateful to have the opportunity to be able to get out on the river, alhamdulillah.

River City Rock Hoppers

Originally, we had planned to visit the Belle Isle part of the James River Park System in the city of Richmond as a  science field trip to examine the huge rocks in the earth.  Allah is the best of planners and due to construction and a closed parking lot, we ventured over to the south side of the river to explore instead.

Rock Hoppers

Make Shift Bridge

My husband assisted the children out onto to the rocks for a first hand experience at examining the igneous granite.  It was a little treacherous at times, masha Allah.

  

 

 

 

 

The erosion in the park was also very obvious as seen with this hole in the rock.

Erosion evidence

Not only did we study the geology of the area, but the biology as well.

Autumn flowers in bloom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was also a living history exhibit as well to investigate, alhamdulillah.

White Oak Canoe

The huge log was in the process of becoming a Powhatan Indian style canoe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is truly a blessing from Allah to have access to these free community homeschooling resources right in our backyard, alhamdillah.

 

Snorkling in the James River

We have yet to try this, but it looks like it would be right up our alley. 

“There is nothing quite like grabbing your mask and snorkel, plunging into the refreshing James River and coming face to face with a huge catfish.”  Read the whole article here. 

Check out the slide show here.  There are some humongous catfish in the James River, masha Allah.

Our Own Private Swimming Hole

 

 

Huguenot Flatwater

 

 

 

Beached

After paddling for a little while upstream from Huguenot Flatwater canoe launch, we came to an island in the middle of the James River where we beached the boats.  Since this island is only accessible by water, there aren’t the usual crowds that exist in other areas of the James River Park System.  The island was remarkably clean, masha Allah.

Then the children ate lunch, prayed the midday prayer (Dhuhr salat), and went swimming, masha Allah.

Making the midday prayer

The children wanted to remove their life jackets, but the current was too strong for them to go without one.

Little girls in the river

 The bottom of the river was not even mushy, but firm and rocky.  I hate mushy bottoms!

rocky river bed

Also, for those of you who are local,  there are canoe/kayak rental companies that will meet you with the rental boats at Huguenot Flatwater’s canoe launch which is located right under the Huguenot Bridge.  These companies advertise their services on craigslist.

South of the James River

This summer we have been spending a good amount of time south of the James, masha Allah.   There aren’t any spots in western Henrico to canoe, therefore we are finding more on the southside.  Today, the children and I scouted out Robious Landing Park which is right off the Huguenot Trail exit on 288.  The Virginia Byways are always very scenic with tons of farmland, sheep, cows, and horses.   This always helps the car ride seem much shorter, alhamdulillah.   

Robious Landing Canoe Launch

So, the canoe launch to the James River at Robious Landing was easily accessible, clean, and quiet. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The river looked calm and low, but after speaking with some boaters that frequent the river from this access point, I don’t think I am quite ready to row upstream going against the current, insha Allah.    One lady said that she wouldn’t even try to get in before mid July though as apparently, the current has slowed some. 

James River @ Robious Landing Park

It doesn’t look like there is a strong current, does it?

Day Tripping to Dutch Gap Conservation Area

 

 

 

 

Dutch Gap Conservation Area- View from Pocahontas Bluff

Our destination today was Dutch Gap Conservation Area and City of Henricus located in Chesterfield County.  Here we explored the 810 acre woodland, waterways, and historic area by foot and canoe. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My husband and the three eldest children explored the waterways by canoe, masha Allah.   There were many freshwater tidal lagoons along the James River which is a major tributary to the Chesapeake Bay. 

Canoeing in the lagoons

 

Great White Herons

Barge

The Port of Richmond was upstream from where they were canoeing and the barge may have been headed there, insha Allah.

Citie of Henricus

The Citie of Henricus was the site of second successful  17th century English settlement in Virginia.   The  famous Pocahontas, daughter of Chief Powhatan,  called Citie of Henricus her first English home.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trails at Dutch Gap Conservation Area

The trails were beautiful and great exercise, but too long for us to finish with the children getting a bit weary, masha Allah.   From the main trail, there were many spurs which provided even more exciting discoveries.

Off the beaten path

 

 

Fishing pier

We discovered several fishing piers for anglers along the way, but we had forgot ten our fishing tackle, masha Allah.  After we returned home, my husband typed out a Day Tripping Checklist , so, insha Allah, we will remember to pack all the necessities next time. 

 

 

 

 

 

Know your environment

Flowing James River

During a canoe trip yesterday, my husband and three older children encountered the river flowing a little faster than usual.  They revisited Huguenot Flatwater which is a safe, flat place to canoe and kayak, but other parts were higher than normal.

There were actually several rescues that took place on the river yesterday, but that occurred further downsteam closer to the dam where more rapids and hydrolics are prevalent. Life jackets are a must when the river is above 5 ft., insha Allah

So, part of learning to canoe is also learning how “read” the river or any other type of body of water you are canoeing, insha Allah.  For example, if the wind is blowing it is easier to paddle if you hug the shoreline.

Along the way, they discovered an small island where they landed the canoe and took a break, masha Allah.  There was actually a make shift grill set up on the island already, masha Allah.

Island exploring

 

Uprooted trees and branches

On the way back, they saw many trees that had been uprooted and were piled up near the bridge, masha Allah.  This is evidence of how strong the current of the James River can be, masha Allah.

Huguenot Flatwater

The weather was touch and go at the James River today as we were out exploring, masha Allah.  We discovered a new spot to launch canoes on the James River that was calm and somewhat isolated. Alhamdulillah, when it did start pouring down rain, we were able to take shelter under the bridge.

Caught in the rain

 The honeysuckle was in bloom and the air was filled with its wonderful aroma, masha Allah.

Honeysuckle

Overall, it was fun to explore a new nature space, but there wasn’t much to keep the younger children occupied.  The older children did enjoy the canoeing and maybe next time, insha Allah,my husband will get a chance to throw in a rod  (we hear the fishing is good there!)

Huguenot Flatwater