Wonderful Day on the Dan- Hwy 89 at Big Creek to the DRC

We started the day at 11:00 at the DRC and ended at the DRC at 2:15.  This stretch is between 6-7 miles http://www.danrivercompany.com/ 

He gave us a shuttle to his private river access at the Hwy 89 near Big Creek.  It was about 54 degrees at put in and reached about 62 today and sunny.  Beautiful day to be paddling. Followed a blue heron much of the way.

The river conditions :  Gauge 2.00 ft    CFS 235

It was a gorgeous day.  We dress in our paddle jackets, rash guard and wet suits to stay warm just in case we went for a swim and were perfectly comfortable.  This run was calm with several small rapids but rather calm compared to the others we have done but very pretty.  My mom would like this run.

There was one fun rapid that I decided to run again and portaged my boat up river to run again.  I discovered Dennis does not know how to use his camera or video on his IPhone.  He took video when he was trying to take a picture and shot the video sideways when he was trying to video.  Oh well we are living and learning.  Here is that paddle video:

Dennis has always been concerned that our PFD's and wet suit may not work so we tried them out today after taking our boats out.  We decided to jump in the river and float to see if they would work. 

Well the PFD's worked great but the wetsuit was mighty COLD in the water but out of the water we were comfortable.  I guess if we have to take a swim it will be as short as possible during the winter.

After today I really got rapid fever.  It was such a calm run I want to try something a little more exciting.  Looking for helmets and whitewater kayaks very soon!

December 30, 2011 - First Trip Log tomorrow on the Dan River

I am so excited to be chronicling my kayak trip adventures starting with Dennis and I kayaking the Dan River section from Hwy 89 at Big Creek to the DRC.  The DRC will be our shuttle so we can use his access to this section.  Tomorrow will be my 4^th different section of the Dan River in Stokes County and my 6^th trip since Thanksgiving 2011 and it is only December 30^th.

I have bought paddling jackets, booties, dry sack, throw ropes, paddle leashes, wet suits, rash guard shirts, PFD’s, 3 paddles and 3 recreation Kayaks.  Who would have thought you needed so much stuff to go kayaking and I just discovered I need more stuff.

 Who would have guess how possessed I would get over kayaking either?  I love adventure and every time we are on the river it is an adventure and never the same.  The guy who sold us the boats said I can tell you will want whitewater kayaks soon and he was right.  I never thought at 45, I would want to learn not only how to kayak but want to learn how to whitewater kayak but I’m hooked on kayaking and the beauty of nature!  Next I will be looking for whitewater boats and helmets too!

I am so thankful my husband Dennis is willing to join my adventure.  It took me 2 years of seed planting to finally get our own boats.  He is my favorite adventure buddy.  Right now I’m dragging him in December kayaking. “No, Dennis is will not be too cold.  It will be an adventure.”  “ Hard section?  No Dennis this section will be easy, at least that is what the book says.”  We will see tomorrow.

  (He is a little cautious after swamping his boat by wedging it against a rock and the river right before Christmas in another section.  We do not want to do that again!!! Pulling a water filled boat off a rock against the current of the river had both of our backs aching the next day.)  Adventure h