Fantastic Weekend

Saturday morning it starting raining in Bryson City around 7 a.m. and continue until around 10 a.m.

For the Saturday Nantahala run I joined up with the Georgia Canoeing Association. The group consisted of 5 people. Running the Nanty after the rain always makes a very interesting run for me, being that I don’t have the rapid sequence down. I hear the rapids coming but don’t know what one it is.
Patton’s run
Foggy, cold water and not yet warmed up paddler wondering where that rock is. I ran the rapid in the middle looking behind me because I was hearing rafter but not seeing them. I ran it fine. After that I practiced ferrying.
Pyramid
The group kept saying, I known it going up, I can’t see, you think this is it. When we did determine we where about to run Pyramid I decided to run it on the left and try some spinning. Well I tried and got struck sideways and couldn’t get out. After I finally got out I decided to try spinning another day.
Whirlpool
I was right on top of Whirlpool wondering what rapid this was, yikes its Whirlpool. I was able to catch the eddy on the left just in time.
All in all it was a very good day on the river, everyone in the group had great runs and we all tried new and different thing with catching eddies, ferrying, playing and rolling.
I would like to thank Steve Reach for leading the trip and my fellow paddlers Joan, Dana and Charles for sharing their Saturday.

GCA website - http://www.georgiacanoe.org/

Ocoee Sunday (aka Super Bowl Sunday)

I was planning on putting in at Slice n Dice, but my friend Chuck talked me into starting at the rails. I never really remember anything about the Ocoee only that I feel like I’m fighting for my life, and that I’m the little kid fearing that I’ll lose my parent. So my parents for the day where Chuck, Robert, Michelle, Chris and Gretchen, and they all turn out to be fine parents indeed. I had a fantastic day on the river, thanks ya'll.

Awesome, Awesome, Awesome

The first descent on the Nanty with the Ammo was awesome. I ran the easy line at Delabar’s Rock. I blow the S-turn; the edges did feel a little funny. Quarry Rapid I ran the wave train; I wanted to get the full of the boat in fast water. Root Canal is where I started caching eddies. Wow I almost flipped; my backend got caught on the eddyline. Whirlpool, I got in the big eddy on the left and peeled out and ran the rapid, the boat felt good running Whirlpool. I played at Three Hump Rock, getting the feel of the bow sinking into a rapid. Surfing Rapid was a little harder getting into and staying. I spent a lot of time at Fast Ferry, until I was able to make the S-turn. I ran Skin the Cat and Walk the Dog like a pro (Hee Haw style). The Falls, not much that I can say about the Falls, except that I’m always afraid. I always run the Falls way to left, trying to avoid the top hole and end up in the bottom hole, but I didn’t flip. All in all it was a very good days paddling with friends (Robert, Barbara and Debra).

Next Trips
This Saturday full run on the Nantahala
Sunday Ocoee, Slice n’ Dice to Goforth

Ready for 1st Descent

Well I’m all packed and already to go for my first descent on the Nantahala River with my Ammo. My first run will start at Ferebee and end at the Falls.

I’m just sitting here thinking if this is how Hee Haw Jones got his start.

Pyranha Ammo

On July 20, 2008 I purchased a new Orange Pyranha Ammo at the NOC today. I can’t wait to start paddling it, but I do feel a little sad for my Dagger Piedra. I'm just sitting here thinking about all the adventure's me and my new kayak are about to take.