You’ve waited patiently through a brutally cold winter with icebergs floating down the river. Spring-like temperatures only taunted your desire to paddle as the water was cold enough for hypothermia to set in quickly. No amount of complaining to a ranger would make him change his mind about renting a canoe for an hour.

Burning the winter blues

And one Saturday, off-key singing sounds like an angelic chorus. A gathering of people are helping one another adjust their PDFs preparing to have fun on the water. What is this cloud of thick smoke? Perhaps incense representing prayers from eastern holy men? Nope, just some old, worn-out socks that could have been thrown away. Burning them in celebration of the new canoe and kayak season is a lot more fun!

First trip of the year

Fun in and out of the water

Bring an old pair of natural fiber socks to “sacrifice on the fires of the winter blues.” We are also collecting new socks to be donated to those in need. Paddling season is a breath away. After a little dose of smoke, inhale the marsh brine of Taskinas Creek and the York River with us.

Directions to York River State Park:  From I-64, take the Croaker Exit 231B. Go north on Route 607 (Croaker Rd.) for one mile, then right on Route 606 (Riverview Rd.) about one and a half miles to the park entrance. Take a left turn into the park.