hi
Some gaps to fill in ...
Saturday meet time was at 11 am in an effort to test out E.J.'s theory of running a busy river. At the crack of noon we were on the water ... excellent timing since the majority of rafts trips were already downstream. Saturday is normally busier of the 2 days, and McCoys was a typical busy summer day with numerous other boaters. At one time it did appear the our paddling club looked more like a swimming club, but everyone was fine and permitted some to practice their river rescue skills.
The group split into 2 groups, one for Main and the quieter trip down the middle. Maybe we remember that for next years event and to advertise that earlier in the week. Nothing much to report except at one time there were 44 boaters at Push Button.
Saturday evening .... tough crowd, but thanks for everybody who participated in the river rescue games. Next time I might have to incorporate drinking shots of booze, just to make the games even more fun.
Sunday a small group left the campground at 9am to get on the river before the masses. So we had an hour or so before the first set of rafts came down. Adam #1(C1-er paddles with 1 blade hence the #1) decided to join us for his maiden voyage down the Main Channel. The River Gods giveth and taketh away. Running the Lorne what did they take? ... Adam's contact lenses. What did they give? - his roll, twice and an adrenaline rush. But we had time to relax at Push Button as we met up with Bastien and 15 of his closest friends. Someone should start charging admission to this park and play spot or open a hotdog/chip wagon.
Onward downstream leaving the masses behind ... to Butcher's knife. Most holes have nasty names such as "chopping block", "vampire" or some name to denote something scary. Since this was Adam's first trip down the Main channel we named all the holes "Fluffy Bunny" there after. It must have worked.
There was one very odd out of boat experience, in a place you wouldn't think someone to even flip over ... the dinky waves just upstream of Miami beach. Ah the River Gods taketh away, and maybe Dave will get booty beer at some time in the future.
In the end, a fun and successful weekend. I hope everyone who attended enjoyed the weekend
Larry
Great weekend, hot dry weather, spectacular skies at night (we looked at the Moon crescent and the Andromeda galaxy), nice bonfire with the requisite fire roasted bacon... The river was at a nice level, with Babyface at its best, Pushbutton showing signs of life and Garberator still on holidays.
Thanks Larry for the games--the conclusion that we should all take a river rescue course is warranted...
Everybody did well (mostly), keeping a smile. A special congratulation to Tibor, who despite some digestion problems (don't ask) managed his first perfect Main Channel run, i.e. he ran all rapids in the meat from top to bottom--no sneak!--and kept his hair dry, and a smile on his face! He went from 'I did not even swim!' to 'I did not even flip!' The pivo tasted different after the run, more like victory.
Thanks Paul for getting nice prizes from our sponsors. Next year you can paddle too. But still no fireworks unfortunately.
With our 11:00 departure Sunday, we essentially had the river to ourselves.
The club almost acquired a mascot: a young (or very small) striped cat that spent the weekend with us, even ending up negociating a truce with Mia the Schnauser. But in the end he (or she) was left begind at River Run.
All in all a great weekend! Now if I could only find time for a kayak camping trip...
Looking forward to Beast Feast!
--C.
