Kibler Valley, Basketball Court to Presb. Church

Wow what a difference river flow makes.  Last Friday Dennis and I did this run when the dam was running at 9600 kwh.  It was fabulous!  Today is was 7600 kwh.  This was much harder. It was very "boney" as the other paddlers called it.  You have to really play dodge rock or get bit!. Our first run was a little rocky but we did great.  At this point I think Dennis and I were a little big for our britches.  We thought our little Mango Liquid Logic Coupes were invincible with us at the helm. WRONG.

I have been paddling 26 times since Thanks Giving 2011 and have never flipped, today had to be the day for an unexpected, (unwanted) swim.  I was going to try Basketball Falls a class 3 rapid which is at the top of the run.  I put the boat in the water above the falls and was trying to ferry over to the line another paddler we had met showed us. I was supposed to go slightly right of the pointy exposed rock at the top of the falls and ride the current through the falls.

The water was too rocky and shallow. I could not get power to get to the line I was aiming for.  I got stuck on a rock sideways and next thing I knew I had flipped. Struggling to get out of my thigh straps, I finally got to my feet.At this point I had the boat in one hand and my paddle in the other but the current was so strong I could not walk.  I had one option, release the boat and hope the paddler below would catch it and swim through the rapid. I remember standing there thinking..... Is this really my only option to swim through these falls?

I know from my whitewater rafting safety lessons, YOU DO NOT WANT TO WALK OR EVEN STAND IN FAST MOVING WHITEWATER. Here I struggle to stand in water I should not be standing in and can not make a step.

The swim.... I released the boat to do a solo down the falls, held my paddle and lowered myself into the water and took a pounding swim over the first falls then took at easier swim over the second falls and swam toward the bank shaking a little.

Sooooo thankful another paddler got my boat paddled it over to me.  HE WAS GREAT!!
After this swim I was a little shaken.  My confidence was shaken too.  I hit every rock possible the next 1/4 mile, got stuck on a rock then Dennis's boat slid on top of my boat and help pinned me to the rock.  The other paddler had to rescue us again.  This section has so many rocks and strainers and I hit each one this run.

Then 10 minutes later my glasses fogged up and I could not see.  I had to take them off and paddle without them. As my glasses fell out of my pocket to the bottom of the boat I looked up and Dennis flips his boat.  I think he was sympathizing with my swim.  Thirty minutes later he did it again though.  He has never flipped his boat before either.  It was a bad day.

Rough day for the Taylors.....     We ate kayak humble pie....... Score: Dan River, Kibler Valley 3, Taylors 0.  We may be battered and bruised but we are not defeated yet.

I may be watching too much of the Olympics.....

Smith River, Sports Complex to Mitchell Bridge

Timed the water level perfect. Had a fun and eventful day with great friends Warren and Kelly.

This section of the Smith River at the Sports Complex Access gets the water from the Martinsville dam 3 1/2 hours from the release time.  The dam releases at 1pm today and by 4:30pm it had peaked at the Sports Complex access.  The first part of this run is pretty flat and boring but from Eggleston Falls on it is pretty fun and has nice scenery.   This section has many class 1 and 1+ rapids (possibly a 2) and one 2+ or 3  which is Eggleston Falls.  We put in at 4:30pm as the Sports Complex passed Marrowbone Access at 5:30pm and got out around 7:15pm.  This information is helpful because I have not found it written anywhere and it is much more enjoyable to paddle in the river when it has water!!

Dennis and I discovered that Eggleston Falls is pretty easy to run if you go slightly left of the the center exposed rock then shift right toward the BIG exposed rock down stream.  Our friends Warren and Kelly enjoyed the sluice on the left to bypass the falls.  It is a fun ride as well.

The only low point was passing a stinky deer carcass as fast as I could and hearing gagging noises behind me, breathing out of my mouth while trying not to gag myself.  I discovered I can gather speed when I paddle if I need to. Phew!

Also I discovered people are generally kind when a stranger stopped after being flagged down by Kelly and gave the guys a lift to the put in after we left the keys of the vehicle parked at the take out in the vehicle parked at the put in. Thanks kind stranger!  Reminder to self:  Always ask about the keys before entering the river!

Also note to self: Calling the cab company in Martinsville is useless unless you can give them step by directions on how to get to you.  I gave them the address but they do not have a GPS I guess and had no idea how to find us.  Better not need a ride in Martinsville.

One more fun paddle before school starts!

Kibler Valley to the Methodist Church run. FUN!

Kibler is FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN!!!!!!!!!!

Kibler is gorgous!!!  This is Basketball Falls a class 3 where we put in.

One of the FEW calm areas.

Wow, paddling with friends in the morning on a relaxing run starting at Big Creek on Lynchburg Rd. to Hanging Rock Access to paddling with Dennis on the thrilling Kibler Valley section of the Dan River made an exciting day.

I am so lucky to have so many options so close to home.  Kibler Valley at the dam is only about 1 hr from King.  This was my first time running this section.  We put in at the basketball courts to bypass the 3 class rapids at the top of the run.  This was Dennis and I's first time running this section.  This was the most challanging section we have been on yet and it was a BLAST!!!  The dam started running at 7500 kwz at 12pm then at 2pm moved to 9600 kwz.

Kibler Valley in Ararat Va. is one of those runs you can only do if the dam is running and they only run the dam if they need power. Thanks goodness I am on the email group SRVCC, if anyone hears they are going to run they post it. This makes this difficult to find a time to do this section except it does run every Saturday in July for recreation releases usually at 7500 kwz.

Another shot of Basketball Falls.

This was the most fun I have had in a boat!!!!  We were kinda nervous putting in because it looked fast.  Where we put in is a solid class 2 run, whitewater for about entire 3.75 miles. and took out at the church.  It only took about 1 hour to go close to 4 miles.  This section is narrow and has many trees hanging low.  There are strainers too you need to avoid as well.  It is a more techical section of the Dan River because of the narrow passage, strainers and the fast moving water but soooooo fun!!!!!!!!!!  Our Liquid Logic Coupes sit on tops with thigh straps did wonderfully.  I am glad I wore a helmet too.  I can not wait to do this section again!

You could run this section 1-3 times easy in one day.  You can park at the church to take out and the basketball court to put in if you want to avoid the class 3 rapids.  I look forward to working my way up to the class 3 section starting at the dam.  This run I could do daily if I got the chance!!  It was that FUN!

Big Creek (Lynchburg Rd) to Hanging Rock Access, Dan River

The difference 1 day can make. Because the Kibler dam ran the day before the river depth went from 1.47ft. 7/26 to 1.7 ft 7/27.  It made a huge difference on the river.  This was a much easier run than the day before.  I paddled this with Lanie and Rhonda.  They both did a great job.  We put in at 9:20 am and took out at 11:50am.  The trip was approx 2 1/2 hours today and the day before it was close to 4 hours the flow 7/26 was 102 cfs but today the flow was 155 cfs.  This made a huge difference in speed, ease and time.  I was shocked.  Poor mom, Suzanne and Melody the day before had to work hard compared to today with Rhonda and Lanie because the water was so low.

Lanie just after we got in.

Rhonda pulling up to take a break.

Lanie floating a rapid.

This was a fun time.  This bridge access is steep and trashy but the Hanging Rock access is easy and nice.

I really enjoyed the company and beauty of the river.  I was off the river by 12pm ate lunch and was on the river again by 4pm up at Kibler Valley. I am trying to make the most of the few days I have left to paddle before I have to go back to teaching.

Rhonda scooting through the last rapid on this pretty run.

Lanie scooting the last rapid too.

July 26, 2012 DRC (Lynchbury Rd to the DRC) Dan River

Heat index 100 degrees, temp 95 degrees and river depth at the Fransisco river guage 1.47ft.  This is the lowest I have ever paddled this section the cfs is 102.  It usually takes me to 2 - 3 hours to do this run but it took 4 hours today.  Even with the river this low I only got stuck once and that was because I was not looking where I was going because I was filming.  With the cfs so low at 102 the run required a great deal of paddling or you would just not move.
To avoid the steep put in at the Big Creek bridge on Lynchburg road we took a shuttle with the Dan River Company.  This is a 6 mile run. There access is much nicer than the bridge.
Enjoyed the day with mom, Suzanne and Melody.  They all paddled great and only got stuck a few times which is a great accomplishment with the water so low. This is a pretty run, with many little rapids and beautiful scenery. At times it is like you are in a mini gorge with rock walls along the way.

I discovered Melody really does not like snakes.  After the DRC guy said snakes sometimes hang in the trees that hang over the river, Melody decided she would rather paddle in the sun or in the shallows and get stuck rather than paddle near the bank and possibly see one of those snakes.  Saw my first snake in the water swimming today though. I have seen them on the banks or in the rocks but never swimming.  This happened to take place where we had gotten out of out boats and were floating in our life jackets down a rapid.

These ladies did a great job.  Suzanne moved her boat like a pro and is pretty strong too. Suzanne was adventurous and jumped off a rock ledge into the river.

Suzanne being brave getting ready to jump! Before......

After...

 I was so proud of mom this was her 2nd time in a kayak.  She calls it being stretched.  She started a little rusty but mastered it quickly.  She is getting her paddle stroke down pat. She could become a regular paddler.

 This was Melody's first time in a kayak and you would have never known that.  She moved her boat through the small river lines wonderfully as well.  I guess Melody got stretched a little today too with the snake sighting and all. What these ladies did not know is if they can paddle this section with very little water having to carefully select the channels or get stuck, when the water is up it will be a breeze! 

Melody floating a rapid!

July 25,2012. Smith river- South Martinsville to Sports Complex to Marrowbone.

Trying to find water to paddle in late July is hard.  One of the outfitters of the Smith River suggested putting in after the Martinsville dam release 1-7 today at South Martinsville canoe access to Marrowbone.  It is 6.75 miles.  We put in at 2:40  the water started reaching the South Martinsville access at 2 but we waited until 2:40 for the river to fill. We arrived at 4:00 at the Sports Complex.  We must have paddled to fast before we out run the water. Waited until 4:30 for the water.   You can tell the dam water is here if the 2nd step on the ramp is under water.  We put in at 4:30 dam water was here by then.  Take 3 1/2 hours from dam for release water to arrive here. Was told it take 4 hours for water to reach Marrowbone.

Had the unfortunate experience to paddle next to a floating deer carcass. PHEW!!!!!  Hope that never happens again.

Eggleston Falls

Eggleston Falls is nice but the only interesting aspect of the entire trip.  I made it over with no flipping wore my helmet and everything. The trip was mostly flat water with a few wiffles except for the falls.  Not worth it.  I will not do this run again.  TOO BORING and TOO MUCH paddling.

We arrived at marrowbone at 5:45 which is 1hr and 15 mins   2.25 miles from Sports Complex.  Might to Sport Complex to Mitchell Rd ( Eggleston Fall is right before the Marrowbone Access)  but I will not put in at South Martinsville again.

July 24,2012- Smith River Marrowbone to Mitchell rd.

I am begining to think paddling the Smith Rhttp://www.henrycountyva.gov/content/File/pdfs/ParksandRec/parks__rec_map_brochure_layout_1.pdfiver is bad luck. The first time we tried out truck broke on the way.  Today the weather report said it have a 15% chance of rain.  Arrived at the Smith River and it started to storm. We not willing to give up again and we drove 1 hour 15 minutes to get here, we waited and waited. Finally the sun came out again and we decided to try the Marrowbone access.

We decided to put in after the rain cleared.  Our put in was Marrowbone to Mitchell rd.  The Henry County sites are helpful.
http://www.henrycountyva.gov/Parks.html  and http://www.henrycountyva.gov/content/File/pdfs/ParksandRec/parks__rec_map_brochure_layout_1.pdf

This stretch is about 3.37 miles long.  With not dam water release it took us 2 hours.  I have heard with a dam release water it is 1 - 1/2 hours.  This a a very pretty stretch with many rapids we put in before the dam water reached this section and the river gauge in Martinsville said 2ft which is a min. for this section.  This was one of the prettiest sections I have ever done.  I hope to do this with dam water.  Discovered it takes 4 hours for the dam release water to reach Marrowbone.  If the Martinsville dam releases at 1-5 like usual M-F then the water will reach here by 5 but is is easy to out run the water so 5:30 -6 might be better.

This section has so many rock formations in the water and 10 class 1 or 2 rapids in 3.75 miles.  In low water this run is interesting but look forward to doing it with the dam release water.

Big Creek to Hanging rock Access on the Dan River

Dennis and I with  Kelly and Warren Stacks floated the Dan yesterday.  We put in at Big Creek at the bridge on Lynchburg rd. and got out at the hanging rock access. Putting in here at the bridge is steep and muddy and there is very little parking.  This is not my favorite put in. The Dan River Company does this run and their private put in access is much better.

Warren and Kelly our paddle buddies.

Youth group kids rock jumping.

Kelly is victorious over a rapid.

Fun Day, fun people!

Just floated a rapid.  I think this is my favorite place, in a river!

Warren floating the rapid.

It took about 3 hours because the water was so low and we stopped and played a little.  Also we almost did not go because the river guage said it was 1.55ft and the cfs was 121.  My book "Paddling the Eastern NC Rivers"  said 1.5ft was the minium to paddle this section and we were close and the min. cfs was 125 but the river was  fine if you follow the current. 
This run is perfect for beginners.  It has class 1 rapids along the way and beautiful scenery.

It was a beautiful day with great friends.

Philpott Dam to Bassett- 2 unit release Smith River

Today Dennis and I decided to try redo this Smith River run at a different water level. The Philpott dam had a 2 unit release instead of 1 unit releases we have done in the past.  The dam ran from 1-5 today.  Sources told us it runs 1 unit for the first and last hour and 2 units the rest.  We put in at 2:30pm and got out at Bassett at 4:45.
The water level was up about 2 more feet than the last time.  Many of the rapids were washed out but the current was stronger than usual.  I would rather do this run at a 1 unit release.  It is more fun and the rapids are better.  Mark at Three Rivers Outfitters told me that you need to wait a minium of 1 hour after a dam releases in order not out run the water. The water is crystal clear and the scenary is pretty for the most part.  It does have several ugly trailers on the way.

We saw a bald eagle flying over the water today and a otter in Philpott Lake.  We also saw many wild ducks and Grey herrons.

This run has push and current.  I would not take beginners on this run because the water is deep and would be very difficult correct a swamped boat.  There is very very few places you can stand up on this run and the water was about 43 degrees and it was 95 degrees outside.

Snow Creek to Hemlock Access on the Dan River

Dennis and I discovered that the dam release water from Kibler 11-5 Saturday is at the section on the Dan River at Snowcreek to Hemlock at 9:30am Sunday.  During a time where the rivers are so low this is helpful if you want to paddle in the summer.  We arrived at Hemlock Access at 9:00 and put in at Snowcreek at 9:30am and got out at 11:45am at Hemlock. The water was up on the section more than I have seen it but it was very muddy from the rain with the dam release.   It did wash out some of the rapids.  The river gauge at Fransisco said 1.64ft but that is because the release water had past there.  This was no indicator of the water level at this run.  The class 2 at the end of the run (Hemlock Access) was the most fun I had ever run it.

I may do this section  the next day of the dam release again as long as it had not rained.  The muddy water took away from the beauty of this section. I decided after yesterday and today that I do not like MUDDY water. I like clear water with no tires in it.  Saw 3 car tires along the way.  Why would someone put tires in a river?

 If I remember correctly the peak of the release hits Hemlock at 10:30AM AFTER A Kibler dam release Saturday 11-5.  I just know the water was at Snowcreek today at 9:30am.

Jessup's Mill to Hart Access on the Dan River

Today Dennis and saw the river gauge at Fransisco at 2.18 and we thought it would be a good time to do Jessup's mill run on the Dan River.  We dropped a car at the Hart's access and put in at Jessup's Mill.  It is around a 6 mile run.  The folks at Jessup's Mill are very nice, tubing and let us park our car there.  I can not wait until they get everything fixed up there.  It is a work in progress.  Jessup's Mill has camping and music a couple of times a month. http://jessupmill.com/?page_id=538

When we got into to the water I noticed the painted river guage on the bridge said 1.9ft and the water was very muddly from the rain last night.  This was a fun run but I would have liked it at a 2.00ft or higher.  It is very hard to read the river lines in shallow water when the water is so muddy.  We bumped and scraped our share of rocks that we could not see coming.  Came the closest I have come yet to flipping today, twice.  I did a 360 degrees spin on two occasions stuck on a rock as well.

I found a new fishing technique today.  Just paddle our orange liquid logic coupes down the Dan River and trout just jump out of the water into the back of your boat, at least that what happened to Dennis.  Discovered that the river guage for Fransisco is close to the Hart access. It stated a 1.9 when we got out. I'll have to remember that.

New River at Gentry Rd to New River Outfitters at HWY 221 in Scottsville NC

Today Dennis, mom and I left to meet my brother Alan and his family at New River Outfitters to kayak the New River at Scottsville/ Jefferson NC just passed Sparta.  http://www.canoethenew.com/

 

This was Nana's first kayak trip! She mastered it at the end.

We put in at Gentry rd off Hope Wagoner rd and got out at the New River Outfitters location at 221 after the bridge.  There is one obstacle.  It is a low water bridge that usually you need to portage on the left but the water was so low we could float under it.  I think this would be a much better run if the water was not so low.

This was my mom's first kayaking trip.  She is close to 70 and ready to be "stretched" as she put it.  I was really proud of her. When we started mom got stuck before Dennis and I could get out boats in the water.  She got the hang of paddling halfway through the trip and by the end did great!  The biggest danger in this run is getting stuck on a rock because the water is so low.  It was so low that we bumped and grinded many places along the way.  It has some rapids but is a great beginner run the water is clear and only 1 1/2ft deep on most of the run or less.  Next time I will look at the river gauge.

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?cb_00060=on&cb_00065=on&format=gif_default&begin_date=2012-07-06&end_date=2012-07-06&site_no=03161000

Alan and his massive fish.

Alan was camping at the New River State park Campground.  It was very nice.  Great place to camp if you want to play on the river. Our run went past it's two accesses.  I knew we were close to being done as we past  it.  Great place to picnic or take a break.
Family float down the rapids.

Smith River,Philpott dam Spillway to Bassett access, July 4th

Had to go again!  It is hard to find places that has water in July, especially when we have had 2 weeks of close to 100 degrees with no rain.  July 4th we decided to take Casey and Carly to the Smith River.  Carly said she would only kayak if she did not have to paddle.  I believe she is a little lazy so Dennis and I thought this would be a good run since it is a dam release and the water is very cold.  We put in at 12 and got off at 2:15.  It was perfect.  I was a little worried we would out run the water release since they released from 11-9 and we put in at 12 but it was fine.  The video shows us going through the last rapid and Casey bumps Carly and she has to go through  backwards. The release was much like the last time 680 cfs and 4 ft.

Smith River, Philpott dam to Bassett

Today Dennis and I was looking for a place to paddle.  We were planning to paddle Kibler Valley to Saw mill Lane on the Dan River but the Kibler dam did not release water as scheduled.  Call Three River Outfitters in Eden, NC and talked to Steve who was very helpful http://www.3-r-o.com/ .  He referred me to Doug in Troublesome Creek Oufitters who knows all about whitewater trips. http://www.troublesomecreek.com/ . Doug said it would be a good idea to try faster moving water before I try Kibler Valley below the Basketball courts because the run is technical.

 He suggested we do Philpott Dam release at the spillway to the Bassett Access behind the Bassett Furniture Factory. It was about 6 miles and took us about 2hours and 20 minutes.  The Dam released from 11 am to 9 pm today it releases  690cfs and the gauge 4.01ft. http://waterdata.usgs.gov/va/nwis/uv?02072000 River gauge at Philpott.  Access information:  http://danriver.org/RiverInfo/Access/SmithRiver_PhilPott.htm

Doug said the water is always cold so be prepared.  The water temperature was in the 40's and the air temperture was 97 degrees.  It felt like we were riding on an air conditioner.  In cooler weather we would have to dress much differently because it was nice today and it was 97 degrees.

You start below the Philpott dam at the powerhouse.  This is one paddle trail where you only need to paddle to keep your boat straight.  The water keeps you moving it the dam is releasing which is the only time you can paddle it.  This run has several class 1 and possibly 2 rapids and the descending gradient of the river keeps you moving nicely.  It was really fun.

 Dennis and I could not get over how clear the water was.  This river was much deeper than others we have paddled 4-8 ft for fast moving water but you can see clearly everything on the bottom of the river including fish. It you are a new paddler you may not want to start here.  There are very few places to right your rec. kayak if your flip because the water is so deep.  I only remember 2 possible stopping places to get out and stretch.  No picnic spots to sit down on.  Even the grass spots in the movie are under water and boy is that water cold!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I could only bare walking in it for a few minutes before I could not feel my feet.

It was beautiful until you get to the take out access right past the second bridge.  It gets ugly fast from the remains of the old furniture factory and industrial soil.  Perfect trail to paddle when we have had a week of temperature near 100 degrees.

Big Creek Bridge at Lynchburg rd to Hanging Rock Access, June 26th 2012

Took Casey, Parker and Jonathon kayaking today down the Dan River.  Parker and Jonathon were 1st timers and did well although Parker went down several rapids backwards.  Parker raced me several times and he is pretty fast paddler too.  I was worried the water would be too low it was 1.4 all week but rained the night before and that morning it was a 1.67 ft at the river gauge at the Fransisco bridge.  This made the water just fine on the section from Lynchburg rd to Hanging Rock Access. (Very little parking at the bridge.) This section is good for beginners.  It takes about 2 hours and it is about 6 miles.

Fun memory:  The way to float a rapid is to lay striaght as a board, cross your feet, cross your arms.  Casey, Parker, Jonathon and I floated through a rapid in our life jackets.  Fun Day.

Hart Access to Lynchburg Rd (268) ( Dan River)

Today is supposed to be 102 degrees.  Dennis and I decided to beat the heat and get on the river early.  We got on the Dan river at Hart Access at 7:00am.  We left home at 6:15am.  The dam was releasing yesterday from 2-6 and we thought maybe we would still have some water since it takes 12 hours to reach the Fransisco river guage.  At 7:00 the gauge was 1.6 but by the time we got out at 10:00 the gauge said 1.5ft.  The temperature was 71 degrees at 7:00 but at 10:00 it was 92 degrees.

It was a fun day but the water was so low it was not as fun as it was the last time at 1.8ft.  I rubbed more rocks today than I have in the last 6 months.  I will wait until we have more water to do this section of the Dan river again.  Also the access at the Big Creek bridge is very steep and you have to paddle up the Big creek to get out and the creek was real low.  Only a small path was deep enough to get to the take out.

Yadkin River, Shoals to Donnaha Access, May 28, 2012

We put in at the Pilot Mtn. access at Shoals and got out at Donnaha access on 67.  The run is about 6.5 miles and it took us 2 1/2 hours.  It was a beautiful day on the Yadkin.  The water was up higher than I have seen it on my previous canoe trips so this was pretty easy to manuver. The river gauge was 3.9ft.  It was pretty fun the first 2/3 of the trips.  It has many little rapids.  Since the water was up there was very few rocks exposed which was totally different than past trips.  Paddling this in a kayak is much easier than a canoe too.

The last third is flat water and I mean flat.  It feels like a lake so you have to work to finish rather than let the river just move you.  I usually see a bald eagle or two but this time I only saw ducks.  Dennis has decided if we do this again he will use his recreation boat, Perception Sport instead of the Liquid Logic Coupe.  It is harder to paddle in flat water.

The access at Donnaha and Hwy 67 is in bad shape.  The path to the river is muddy inches deep and washed out.  In the past this was in much better shape.  You can see the results of flooding on all the small islands.  The points of the small islands are piled 10-15 feet high with debris.

Hart Access to Moores Springs campground

Fun run.  The gradient is 12ft/mile. That day the water gauge was a 1.83 ft.  I do not think you could run this much lower.  It had many shallow spots because of the gradient change.  This is my second favorite run on the Dan River so far.  It is about 8.3 miles long.  Dennis paddled his Liquid Logic Coupe and I used our Peception Sport recreation boat.  This is a beautiful run with such pretty surroundings.  It is so enjoyable because of all the rapids even though they are small they are frequent. Even though it has action and beginner could do this fine.

The only negative is the out access at Moores Springs road.  You have to call the campground and get permission and it cost $10 to park there even if you are not camping.  You get out at a creek which is nasty and the road is washed out to the access so you have to carry your boat 100 yds to your vehicle.

I hope the water gets up again so I can do this again soon.

May 19, 2012 First run on Jessup's Mill run on the Dan River

So close to home and so fun...The gradient was 23 ft/mile, fun, fun. We started at Jessup's Mill off Collinsville Rd and got out at Hart's access off 704 on the Dan River.  The temp was 75 degrees water temp was about 55 degrees.  Dennis paddled the new Liquid Logic Coupe in his wet suit.  I paddled out Perception sport rect boat with a splash skirt.  I could have paddled without the skirt but I would have had top dump my boat  a couple of times because of splash during the many class 2 rapids (at least 6). I did not wear a wetsuit and wore my rash guard shirt and shorts and was comfortable. This was the first time I used the splash skirt and it was warm.  Dennis' boat did great mine did fine too.  I was thankful the river guage was 2ft.  That made this run perfect.  If it was lower it would have been much for difficult because there are shallow places.  This run is 6.5 miles.  Loved all the class two rapids.  Dennis took a swim when his boat ran up on a rock.  He is sold on a sit on top kayak now.  I may want one now but 5 kayaks may be enough for now. I want to try this run with my creekboat.

May 7, 2012 The Natahala in a Ducky

We decided to make an adventure out of taking Casey to the airport in Chattanooga TN.  She was leaving for Africa for a mission trip for 20 days.  On the way home Dennis and I decided to stop by the Natahala and take a ducky trip.  It was about 73 degrees and we decided to wear our wet suits but no splash jackets.  The water was cold but we were comfortable in our wet suits.  The Natahala had plenty of class 2's and 1 class 3 rapids. I hope to bring my girls to do this again. In a raft it would have been fun but a ducky added another level to the fun.  I would do this again!!!  Beautiful and exciting this was the whole ride.  I was a little afraid of the last class 3 rapid but made it fine.  You just run right down the tongue of the Natahala falls and avoid the right side with the hydralic.  The video is of me doing the Natahala Falls.

Paddle Time at the Dan River, Moratock Park to Snow Creek access

Today was a beautiful day, January 28 and 60 degrees.  This is my kind of winter.  We got a late start so Dennis and I decided to take a shorter kayak run today.  We put in at Moratock Park, in Danbury NC and we took out at Snow Creek access near Dodgetown rd. The run was between 4-5 miles long.  This was a beautiful section of the river with many little rapids but only a couple that might be a 1 + but with so many it kept the trip entertaining.  We did not have to paddle much before the current did most of the work, not a great deal of flat water here.  It was fun going over little ledges.

 The water gauge level was 1.88 ft and the cfs was 195 at the water gauge at Fransisco.  The level was nice and fun but we did have to manuver through shallow sections.  I do not think this section would be very easy to paddle much lower.


 The most eventful part of the trip was at put in Dennis and I decided to video each other at the first rapid so I went first then pulled to the beach to get out to film him.  When I stepped out of the kayak on the sand where I had beached my boat on the shore I sank over my knees instantly in the sand and mud like quick sand.  If I had not moved quickly I probally would have sunk much deeper and I would have had to crawl out.  I could barely raise my legs because of the suction.  That was a first.

The most enjoyable part of the trip was how pretty the day and scenary was.  We saw 2 grey herons and many wild ducks and well as many other water birds.  I wished I had my camara with me not just Dennis's phone.

We discovered it is much better to park near the Snow Creek access sign and take out by paddling up snowcreek a ways than to take out rather than near the bridge at Dodgetown Rd  a little farther down too.  Can not wait until the next trip.