Go to a marine store
Rummage thru the books and charts, to pick up some basic starting tools. If you are in the DC area you should be able to find a West Marine of a Hamilton place of some scale. We highly recommend the sailing 3/4 finger gloves by the way - hardier than regular paddling gloves and a bit more cover for you hands, which I like.
You might want to pick up a book on navigation. Just be aware that in a marine store you are likely to hear about the one by Burch (sp? - at least it sounds like that). This book is comprehensive and at times incomprehensible.
There is a better one for kayakers, by Ferrarro. Here's a link to it at Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Sea-Kayak-Navigation-Franco-Ferrero/dp/1906095035). This one is as solid but easier to read and well adapted for the concerns of kayakers.