On Tue, 29 May 2012 21:06:21 -0400, wrote:

On Tue, 29 May 2012 16:05:49 -0700, "Califbill"
wrote:

Took younger daughter, husband, and the grandkids out for a day of playing,
tubing and eating on the
Potomac yesterday.

I am SO GLAD you folks had fun. And I hope you are healthy. My
recollections of the Potomac are that you DON'T TOUCH THE WATER,
because it is SO NASTY.

I hope my data is old and that things have changed, but I remember
paddle boating in the tidal basin in DC and it was NASTY, 50 years
ago.

I'm supporting your fun, but remembering my history.

Yes, 50 years ago touching the water called for a tetanus shot.

The Potomac today is much cleaner. This is a state park with a beach. The water is monitored for
fecal and other contamination. It's safe for wading, but not for drinking.

Sounds like you've not been to the Potomac lately. It's a completely different river than it was 50
years ago.

Don't believe all the horror you hear from one particular individual here. He's grinding his dull
ax. Someday he'll get a boat and have something better to do.

On 5/30/12 6:48 AM, John H. wrote:
On Tue, 29 May 2012 21:06:21 -0400, wrote:

On Tue, 29 May 2012 16:05:49 -0700, "Califbill"
wrote:

Took younger daughter, husband, and the grandkids out for a day of playing,
tubing and eating on the
Potomac yesterday.

I am SO GLAD you folks had fun. And I hope you are healthy. My
recollections of the Potomac are that you DON'T TOUCH THE WATER,
because it is SO NASTY.

I hope my data is old and that things have changed, but I remember
paddle boating in the tidal basin in DC and it was NASTY, 50 years
ago.

I'm supporting your fun, but remembering my history.

Yes, 50 years ago touching the water called for a tetanus shot.

The Potomac today is much cleaner. This is a state park with a beach. The water is monitored for
fecal and other contamination. It's safe for wading, but not for drinking.

Sounds like you've not been to the Potomac lately. It's a completely different river than it was 50
years ago.

Don't believe all the horror you hear from one particular individual here. He's grinding his dull
ax. Someday he'll get a boat and have something better to do.


The Potomac is cleaner than it has been in decades, but that doesn't
mean it is a great place to swim because of its "pristine" waters.

According to the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin,
“While bacteria are integral parts of any natural system, some kinds, in
sufficient numbers, can cause gastrointestinal illness, skin and ear
infections, respiratory illness, and sometimes worse problems.”

http://www.welovedc.com/2010/09/14/d...er-everywhere/

And, among many other reports:

http://www.tbd.com/articles/2011/08/...sea-64828.html


I think it is great you and your family swim in the Potomac.

On May 29, 6:37*am, John H. wrote:
Took younger daughter, husband, and the grandkids out for a day of playing, tubing and eating on the
Potomac yesterday. Left Quantico and headed north to a place called Leesylvania State Park. Nice
place with a nice long beach, camp store, picnic tables, etc. Hadn't been there before. Boats are
allowed to be brought right up on the beach, if desired, but the water is shallow for a ways out, so
anchoring is easy.

No problems with the boat. Put the battery in. launched it, and she fired right up. A 150 Yamaha is
a great engine for tubing! Son-in-law thought he could stay on. He lost.

Great time was had by all.

Fantastic John! Glad you all were able to enjoy the boat. I wish i
could have.

Oh well...

On Tue, 29 May 2012 18:42:34 -0700 (PDT), Tim wrote:

On May 29, 6:37*am, John H. wrote:
Took younger daughter, husband, and the grandkids out for a day of playing, tubing and eating on the
Potomac yesterday. Left Quantico and headed north to a place called Leesylvania State Park. Nice
place with a nice long beach, camp store, picnic tables, etc. Hadn't been there before. Boats are
allowed to be brought right up on the beach, if desired, but the water is shallow for a ways out, so
anchoring is easy.

No problems with the boat. Put the battery in. launched it, and she fired right up. A 150 Yamaha is
a great engine for tubing! Son-in-law thought he could stay on. He lost.

Great time was had by all.

Fantastic John! Glad you all were able to enjoy the boat. I wish i
could have.

Oh well...

Fix that Eldorado, come visit, and I'll take you for a ride!