Last weekend we got the pleasure of heading just a few hours north to West Virginia for Gauley Fest. This was our first trip to this paddle festival and definitely not our last. This event combined hundreds of paddlers, huge water, free beer, and every major paddle gear vendor we know.
On Friday we met up with our carpool buddies Dru and Kaylan. We got all loaded and started up north. We made it to the camp ground at Battle Run in about 4.5-5 hours from Knoxville. Not bad compared to some of our Oklahoma drives for water. Once there we found our camp spot and crashed out.
Saturday the adventure began. We opted for the Lower Gauley run and for good reason. The Lower Gauley has 37 rapids with some great III+ to IV- rapids. The Upper Gauley is the most popular but we need a little more experience before we hit the class IV+ and V rapids. Maybe next year!
The water felt great and everyone in the group kicked ass. Great run from start to finish. Rapids of note are Koontz Flume, PSH (Pure Screaming Hell), Upper and Lower Mash, Canyon Doors, and The Gates of Heaven. The water was big and pushy even compared to the Ocoee, our local run. The access also is quite limited since most of the run is in a canyon. You hike in and in most places would have a monster hike out. So commit and run the entire 11 miles if you run the lower.
We put together a little video of the weekend and here it is….
On Saturday night we made the pilgrimage into town to see the festival which is held on the fair grounds/football field in Summersville. This place had it all. Enough gear to drive you crazy and every major vendor. This event is put on by American Whitewater and is a huge fundraiser for them. They had mechanical bull riding, stripper pole fund raising, Fear Factor for a boat, and the Jackson’s threw freebies from the roof of their RV. We met some paddlers, drank a little, bought a few things then headed back to camp for some much needed rest.
Sunday we decided to hike into Pillow Rock on the Upper to check out the sheer force and carnage. The hike in was a monster! All down and it felt three times as hard to hike out. But it was worth it! Pillow Rock was awesome and we all identified our line so we can run it next time. We got some great videos. After the hike out we drove to Fayetteville for some food at the Chapel café and then we headed home.
Great weekend, great festival, Awesome River, and a ton of memories! Next year you need to come! Yes you!
rt & jm
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Friday, September 14, 2007
Trip to Oklahoma, Coming Soon!
Hello everyone. I am sitting at work waiting for some work and thinking about our up-and-coming trip to Oklahoma. We are really looking forward to seeing everyone and hope that we can squeeze everyone in. We'll be in Tulsa on the 4th of October and then heading to Norman on the 9th. We have a wedding, and a 5th birthday party to attend! I hope everyone has kept his or her corner of the state clean and pristine! We have been missing everyone and will be bringing the boats so that we can paddle with you all as well.
To stem some of the obvious questions we'll get when we see everyone, here is a list of answers:
1. Yes we still have all of our teeth.
2. No, since moving out here we have not begun bootlegging or running a still.
3. No, we are still married and have not left each other for a relative.
4. Yes we still bleed crimson and cream. We have seen more OU football than SEC action.
5. Yes we still hate Texas! Don't worry mom, it's just the way it is.
6. No we have not sold our car to buy a mule.
7. Yes we can still count to seven!
8. Yes we do love it out here, and we will return after our trip!
9. No dad, I am not looking for a job in Tulsa when we come. Sorry.. ;)
10. Randy M., NO I AM NOT HELPING PUT THAT DAMN SHED UP!!!!!!!!
Now that those are out of the way. We look forward to some hugs and drinks. Sooo throw something in the fridge and get ready for a stiff hug!
See you soon,
rt & jm
Side note: They don't sell Boulevard out here. We may need to stock up. If you see some Zon grab it and I'll pay you back!
To stem some of the obvious questions we'll get when we see everyone, here is a list of answers:
1. Yes we still have all of our teeth.
2. No, since moving out here we have not begun bootlegging or running a still.
3. No, we are still married and have not left each other for a relative.
4. Yes we still bleed crimson and cream. We have seen more OU football than SEC action.
5. Yes we still hate Texas! Don't worry mom, it's just the way it is.
6. No we have not sold our car to buy a mule.
7. Yes we can still count to seven!
8. Yes we do love it out here, and we will return after our trip!
9. No dad, I am not looking for a job in Tulsa when we come. Sorry.. ;)
10. Randy M., NO I AM NOT HELPING PUT THAT DAMN SHED UP!!!!!!!!
Now that those are out of the way. We look forward to some hugs and drinks. Sooo throw something in the fridge and get ready for a stiff hug!
See you soon,
rt & jm
Side note: They don't sell Boulevard out here. We may need to stock up. If you see some Zon grab it and I'll pay you back!
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Labor Day Weekend!
Ahhh, we need some vitamin I.... What a weekend. Just thought we would share our past weekend with everyone in hopes that you'll share yours too!
On Friday Julie and I were happy to be off work and decided to take in a little local High School football. The reigning 2A state champs from Alcoa were playing the reigning 4A state champs from Maryville. These towns are right next to each other and draw a crowd of about 10,000. It was impressive and a great HS football atmosphere. We really enjoyed the game and the level at which these two schools played. Very impressive.
Saturday was a split for us. Julie headed off to school to get some work done and I headed to the Cheoah. I ran this river back in July and was excited that another release was already here. I met up with a ton of Arkies and had a ball. In our group we had Jason, Scott H., Dru, Heath, Bobby, Ronnie, Ray S., and myself. A load of accomplished boaters and I was impressed by their skill the entire day. I had the pleasure of loosing my paddle after getting stuck in a hole but I flushed out and managed to hand paddle down to the eddie where the guys had my missing gear. We made one full run down, then loaded up and ran the bottom section again. Great river for sure with highly technical rapids and a ton of must make moves. Once we got down after the second run the studs in the group ran it again. I opted out and headed home to watch the game.
On the way home I got updates from Julie on ND and listened to the Mizzou game on the radio. Julie was having a ball watching college football again and we really enjoyed watching the Sooners dominate North Texas. This coming weekend should be a real treat.
Sunday Julie and I headed out early to meet everyone at the Ocoee. We had a huge group and had a great day on the river. Some of us got two runs in while others worked on skills at the lake. It's always a ball for us to show others down the Ocoee and Saturday was no exception. Good people and good times for sure. That night we camped with all the Arkies and shared some laughs. Dru's story about his visitor Saturday night is one that will be retold a number of times and makes me laugh every time I think about it.
Monday we were up early packed and ready to hit the Ocoee. Due to timing in the morning we ended up running the river with just Dru and Kaylin. We had a blast and that is where we fell in love with our new boats... Post below... This hobby will break us at some point!
All-in-all, a very memorable weekend. Our muscles ache, we are bruised and battered, and yet it was a weekend to remember. Thank you all for coming out and those that didn't.... you better make your plans now!!
SYOTR,
rt
On Friday Julie and I were happy to be off work and decided to take in a little local High School football. The reigning 2A state champs from Alcoa were playing the reigning 4A state champs from Maryville. These towns are right next to each other and draw a crowd of about 10,000. It was impressive and a great HS football atmosphere. We really enjoyed the game and the level at which these two schools played. Very impressive.
Saturday was a split for us. Julie headed off to school to get some work done and I headed to the Cheoah. I ran this river back in July and was excited that another release was already here. I met up with a ton of Arkies and had a ball. In our group we had Jason, Scott H., Dru, Heath, Bobby, Ronnie, Ray S., and myself. A load of accomplished boaters and I was impressed by their skill the entire day. I had the pleasure of loosing my paddle after getting stuck in a hole but I flushed out and managed to hand paddle down to the eddie where the guys had my missing gear. We made one full run down, then loaded up and ran the bottom section again. Great river for sure with highly technical rapids and a ton of must make moves. Once we got down after the second run the studs in the group ran it again. I opted out and headed home to watch the game.
On the way home I got updates from Julie on ND and listened to the Mizzou game on the radio. Julie was having a ball watching college football again and we really enjoyed watching the Sooners dominate North Texas. This coming weekend should be a real treat.
Sunday Julie and I headed out early to meet everyone at the Ocoee. We had a huge group and had a great day on the river. Some of us got two runs in while others worked on skills at the lake. It's always a ball for us to show others down the Ocoee and Saturday was no exception. Good people and good times for sure. That night we camped with all the Arkies and shared some laughs. Dru's story about his visitor Saturday night is one that will be retold a number of times and makes me laugh every time I think about it.
Monday we were up early packed and ready to hit the Ocoee. Due to timing in the morning we ended up running the river with just Dru and Kaylin. We had a blast and that is where we fell in love with our new boats... Post below... This hobby will break us at some point!
All-in-all, a very memorable weekend. Our muscles ache, we are bruised and battered, and yet it was a weekend to remember. Thank you all for coming out and those that didn't.... you better make your plans now!!
SYOTR,
rt
New Boats....
It's our obsession.... Yes we scored some new boats this weekend. While my Jackson is off being replaced I have had the pleasure of demoing several different boats down the Ocoee. The Super Star was a great boat but I am sadly too tall for it. The WS Project was not a good boat for me. I'm sure in the right hands it's a great boat but man I hated it. Then the Dagger Agent 6.4. Wow this boat was a blast. I hit new eddies surfed longer and better and had a blast in Hell Hole. But I wasn't in the market for a new boat.... But....they had a sale and Julie scored a cheap returned boat at a great price.
So here we go, time to learn some new boats. We both have them loaded in our cars and plan to hit the lake after work! So if you're in the market for a Project 42 or a new Jackson 4Fun let me us know....
rt
By the way, mine is orange...yes Agent Orange! Julie's is Skittles Green. Cool colors but I need to get an OU sticker on mine fast....
So here we go, time to learn some new boats. We both have them loaded in our cars and plan to hit the lake after work! So if you're in the market for a Project 42 or a new Jackson 4Fun let me us know....
rt
By the way, mine is orange...yes Agent Orange! Julie's is Skittles Green. Cool colors but I need to get an OU sticker on mine fast....
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