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Epic Blackwater River Paddle
The weather was brutal but we were wrapped up and ready to tackle cold, snow and wind! The bright sun melted all the snow as we launched. The 31 degrees were no match for the warm comradery of the Tough Tuesday Eight ( Mike, Bruce, Gayle, Kevin, Steve, Richard, Cathy and me). But even better than the bright sun that morning were the smiling faces of our shuttle drivers Vivian, Tom and Galen who all showed up early. They were the key to success of the entire trip! The shuttle worked out well as we left the vehicles at Dockside. Thanks all!
The new River Walk Park Kayak Launch worked well. The ridges on the ramp walkway kept us from slipping on the ice! Hardee’s only a block away, helped cover for the lack of facilities at the new park.
The papermill was in full operation as we paddled by. Some of us caught a glimpse of an 18-wheel tractor trailer raised way up in the air dumping wood chips for making paper. I didn’t take many pictures on this trip because my hands were very warm in my thick gloves!
There was a lot of wind from all directions on the trip. But I don’t think any gusts exceeded the 35 MPH they were calling for. The river was lower than I had seen it in years but the records show that it has been much lower.
We still had some nice Fall Colors on the banks as we paddled south. This was our first time paddling under the new bridge at South Quay.
We were lucky that our lunch stop was sheltered enough from the wind for us to have a nice rest.
We were disappointed that the bear claw marks were no longer visible where they had climbed up the west bank of the river.
It was surprising that we encountered a totally calm stretch of water near where the Nottoway and Blackwater nearly meet (MP 2.6) . I did take a picture there. We were able to see the state line marker at the three-river confluence.
We encountered fierce headwinds on the Nottoway. But we made record time for the paddle. We set a new record of six hours for the 14.2-mile trip. We usually take seven hours to paddle Franklin to Dockside.
We were happy the buzzards weren’t waiting for us in the tree across the river like they usually are! The low water made the Dockside deck unreachable. It took a lot of teamwork to get everyone out of their kayaks without damaging them on the very old concrete ramp. At Dockside it was 46 degrees and in the bright sun it felt wonderful.
We went to Serve Restaurant in Franklin to celebrate the success of the Epic Blackwater Paddle. Mike Wrenn was pleased with his new “Kayak from Sherri” since the last time he made this trip he was paddling a barge! Cathy Fowler surprised Lois with chrysanthemums in a pot made of “beaver bite sticks” she collected on the last Epic Paddle. The food was good and the place was warm!
November 11, was a good time to thank veterans Mike, Bruce and Bill.
But let’s not forget Ellis and Phyllis who keep the Tuesday Group going!
Bill
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