Horchler, of Cheverly, has rowed the Anacostia River for the past 13 years to get to the Library of Congress, where he has worked for 42 years. He rows one direction each day from March until Thanksgiving as long as there’s no lightning, strong winds or below-freezing temperatures, in a commute that takes him almost two hours one way. Why did you start rowing to work?
I used to take the Metro to work. For a while I rode my motorcycle to work, and sometimes I would drive my car. All those modes of transportation pretty much paralleled the Anacostia River, so it occurred to me, maybe it would be nice to try to row to work to avoid the traffic and the noise.
What is your route?
I ride my bike from my house to the Bladensburg waterfront, row to the Anacostia Community Boathouse, where I store my boat during the day, and I ride another bicycle to the Library of Congress. I shower at work, and in the evening I’ll take the Metro home. In the morning, I’ll take the Metro to work and row home.
Are you deterred by the pollution?
To tell you the truth, it motivates me. I’m a member of the Anacostia Watershed Citizens Advisory Committee, and there’s one spot in the river where I always stop and pick up trash.
What makes the Anacostia River unique?
The wildlife is astonishing. You see bald eagles, herons, geese, ducks and turtles. On a sunny day, especially in the spring, you’ll see a dozen turtles sitting sunning themselves. And lots of fish. There’s huge potential for a wildlife refuge. If they ever clean it up, it will be a huge magnet for people. It’s not like the Potomac, which is pretty wide and can get pretty rough. The Anacostia is on a human scale.
– Rachel Baye
