Fletcher’s Boathouse, Potomac River, Washington, D.C., USA

September 1, 2022

Fletcher’s Boathouse, sitting between the C&O Canal and the Potomac River, has been operating since the 1850s, renting out boats, bikes and fishing equipment. On a beautiful clear day, we rented a kayak and headed out into the river. It is unlawful to swim in the Potomac but that now probably has more to do with the dangerous currents than with the cleanliness of the river. There is now an abundance of fish in the river, including perch, shad, and striped bass (known locally as rockfish). We also saw turtles sunning themselves on rocks jutting out of the river, and at one stage a bald eagle flew overhead.

Across the canal from the Boathouse is the Abner Cloud House, the oldest building on the canal, dating back to 1802.