I am going on an Adventure

If you are talking, You are not listening. EF

Left the pack behind, got about 30 minutes ahead

He sent to the wilderness, to find peace and understanding

Yes I was born by the river

Rhode’s Pond Adventures, Myself, Gene and Garret decided that, “ What The Heck”, moment and decided to try something new. The early kayaker catches the downfall, and so it went for the first mile, there was a lot of downfall , and I will say, it was not looking good, the water was barely moving, and we was doing the same, but once we got to the end of the first mile things opened up, and quickly closed, when I say Closed, I mean, Closed, we had to paddle in single file, the water was that low ,and there was not so much the knolls , but from combination of water, knolls, water level, branches and downfall, I was thinking, this was quickly becoming the “ Adventures of the 3 Stooges ”. Larry, I mean Gene, lead the way, I figured let the chainsaw man in front, than Garret took front and they changed back and forth. I will say it was interesting and very peaceful, and was really a test of your kayaking skills, many quick turns, reading the water for flow, as well as all the “cat’s claw vines”. I stopped counting beaver dams after 25 and that was all in one miles We also invented a new kayaking sport, “ Beaver Dam Sliding”, which we did this, 3 times and all enjoyed, but the beavers, one was spotted giving us the middle claw. I thought I heard beaver tail slapping, like to signal others we was coming, I do not know if this is a thing . We found dry area around the power lines and took a 30 minute lunch, stretching our legs, we was thinking of taking a nap, we got back in and back to navigating through all this, some how Gene got away from us, myself and Garret thought maybe, Gene paddled ahead and called in a Sliver Alert for us. We did run into a Heron Rookery, we paddled very slow and even stopped a few minutes under several nest to watch the majestic birds, I was hoping none of them would do a bombing run. Following your fellow kayaker was not an issue, was we left a broken trail of yellow pollen for others to follow. We did come to one interesting area, a small bridge, for foot or small vehicles that was blocked , but had a drain pipe on the right side, I thinking we could have pass through it, but there was downfall at the end, too risky, so we ended up ducking and weaving and pulling ourselves through. All and all, it was really a great trip and seemed very remote with a large variety of wildlife that did not seem too concerned about human presence. We agreed that this would not be a could paddle later in the year, as it is a snake heaven, poison ivy, ( already showing up) , lots of cat’s claw, nor would this be a good run for beginner kayaker, at there was a lot of turns and knolls sitting height enough to “rock the boat baby”, and some really tight spots you actually had to lean you boat over hard to squeeze through. 6 inches more of water would have been a very easy run, but river connecting to Cape Fear, are like the Cape fear and drop up to a foot aday. Gauge Dunn 1ft, Gauge Aurtyville 5.4ft Put-in 0915hrs Take-out 1400hrs 4:45 on the water Distance 6.8 miles Rhodes pond, ( Black River/ South River ) Shuttle was Gene and Myself Paddles: Larry, Moe and Curly GOOD TIMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SRGross

Myself and Garett decided to make run of Little River, Upper, at 7.78ft and Cape Fear was at 5.19ft at the end of the paddle, I would not suggest any lower than this for Upper Little River as you will hit and scrape a lot of rocks, we both weight 190lbs, so you lighter folks will be OK. This section is different than one before it, as rocks are more plentiful, also know as Rockopotamus, which lurk, waiting to ambush kayakers. This has fast become one of my local favorites due to twisting, narrow river with steep banks and pretty clean of liter. Onething about downfall here is that it usually stretches from one side of the river to the other, so you can easy duck and go. We did encounter about 4 downfalls, nothing that could not be easy to go through. The beginning of the Upper Little was very peaceful and relaxing the weather was awesome, I am really looking forward to spring time as the mountain laurels will be in full bloom, the sight and smells , after all the awful pollen clears away. We took a little break around 12 noon relaxing, by the river and enjoying the surrounding nature. In no time we was on the Cape Fear River, the water was moving fast, and all the features we normally run into was under water or washed away, I think we made it from confluence to take out in 30 minutes, Erwin. Myself and Garret learned a few lessons, the water is still very cold, some splashing into the kayak, make sure your drain plug is tight, or you will extra water, don’t listen to Scott, Scott is a bad influence. Wildlife, several deer, lots of mallards and some wood ducks, a Loon ( Garretious Paddlious ), which was in a blue rhythm kayak. 2 dogs, several hawks, gray and red, herons, Fisher King, my personal favorite. Bless you and yours for all your days

Cape fear River was at 6ft, I have paddled it over 9ft, she was moving along, all the normal features were under water or washed away

Bad Day became a Great day, I got up about 0600hrs for the driving to Oakboro, NC Rocky river Run, I checked the water gauge, the water over night had moved 4.3 foot to 14.1 foot, James texted me, and I notified that that level it was a safety risk, I checked the gauge again 1.5hrs later and the water was 16.2 and still rising. So texted Garett that we was a “ No Go “ at this stationed, texting back and forth we decided on the South River, which be an equal drive of 1 hr drive. I was concerned while getting there as it rained lightly the whole way. The put-in was the boat ramp Sloan’s Bridge, we did a reverse put-in, drove to take out and dropped of Garrett’s HRV. As soon as we got to put-in the rain stopped, always a good sign, the water did look alittle low, but this section is pretty much always do able . As we paddled the weather got warmer, to the point we was thinking we might hit a sand bar and take a layer off, but decide to keep going, this is a very nice calm section that was filled with lots of wildlife and downfall, I stopped counting after 10, but all this was either a go around, go over. 2 downfalls was a portable or out and over, we decided to take lunch at the downfall that would be a portage as it was lunch time and offered a great sandbank for that purpose. Even a nice place to sit at, we did a quick lunch and back into the water, the downfall in this area was thick trees and would require 12in bar or greater, not of concern for us, as we was focused on the current beautiful weather and nice flow of the water , even at this level. We did have a pucker factor even , Garett was moving along nicely and I was a few feet from him, when we suddenly turned 90 degrees in 1/10 second, I was thinking I would ram him, which I did, no time to react. And than my boat whipped 90 degrees, the was a sub surface obstruction, which did not indicate anything on the surface. It was good for a laugh, all and all was really mental and emotionally relaxing, we ran into a young man and his son and hunting dogs on the bank, he was teaching his son about hunting, we greeted them from the water and what beautiful dog he had, which the dog agree by long continuous barks, which shattered the silence of the river. We finished the paddled around 1330hrs and began around 1030hrs with alittle over 8 miles of paddling. During the paddle, I noticed that the Cypress trees had a red in them like Cedar wood and noticed also that there was no mistletoe growing on them, is this a different species tan the Lumber River area? We did see a lot of ducks, mostly in small groups of 5 or less, lots of beaver activity, and a beaver shelter on the bank, I could see alittle into the opening, and many nice limbs that he left that would make excellent walking or hiking sticks. A lot this area had a lot of “Wait a minute vines”. The take-out bank was washed away, but we did find an area that we could wedge our boat in between the bank and a tree that worked very well, the trail to the take out was pretty muddy, so Garett got to do so Muddy, I think I saw a big grin on his face, we drove over to Subway and I treated Garett to 2nd lunch. After words we agreed this was a great paddle.\ On the drive home, going through Roseboro, it brought back the love of rural America, a couple walking on the sidewalk holding hands smiling at each other as they do, a father and son playing catch in the front yard, a youngman filling the truck up while his father looks on in approval, this had me thinking, is it the drive home from kayaking that causes me to reflect on the moments of life that will be forever cherish, or was it the kayaking on the river that opened my mind to this, something to ponder for another day?! Garett posted the pictures and I will post a video later God Bless you and yours for all your days, Scott Song is dedicated to my friends what has helped me along over the years

This is what you will see when paddling with Omer, a force of nature on the water, also our resident Limbo Champion. As many in LRCC we all come from different backgrounds, politics, faith and so forth, but all that unites us is kayaking/canoe and wilderness and the sense of peace it gives us all. A moving kayak gathers no moss, but does gather, spiders, leaves, limbs and laughter

Andy Kurtzman · 2/10/24 Lumber River Turnpike to NC 401 near Wagram. Clear and moderate. Water level a little low, good current. 9 paddlers. Put in at 10:30. We had about 4 portages/pullovers and numerous bump overs. Took our time and made the best of it. Stopped at Chalk Banks for lunch at 1:30. Back on the water at 2 PM and at 401 about 2:45. Perfect day on the river. Nice longish and relaxing paddle - just a few challenges. Paddlers: Omer, Van, Scott, Andy, Kathleen Ruth, Kim and Keith, and Crystal. Gene could not paddle due to his arm being out of commission but he provided the shuttle and lent his chain saw! Thanks buddy. This was my first run in the Dagger Katana 10.4, yes I paddle that fast, was getting feel for the boat, will need to do some outfitting changes, but thigh braces and foot rest will be changed, good all arounder so far.

71 to Alman Rd, Lumber River 2.7.2024, it was cold! Was a good run for all

In The Mist By Hermann Hesse Strange it is, walking through mists! Lonely are bush and stone: None to the other exists, each stands alone. Many my friends I kept calling when there was light in me; Now, that my fogs are falling, none can I see. Truly, only the sages fathom a darkness to fall, that, as silent as cages, separates all. Strange it is, walking through mists! Life has to solitude grown: None to the other exists: each stands alone.

A surreal kayaking adventure for myself, it made me reflect on life, paddling in the Fog is much like Life, you do not know what is ahead, for it is shrouded, you must push ahead and find what awaits you on once you pass into it, will there be obstacles or will there be open path, you do not know until you go forward, the past becomes a fog with time, there are cold spots and there are warm places in us all as in the Fog. I person once asked me of all your senses, what would you most willing to loose if you was given no choice, I replied to the sound, and they ask why sound, I replied, because you could not tell me you Love me, You, would have to show it? Fe=Wolf

this is B&A video production, Alan, I met up with Allen and Bonnie and gang, I normal guide or safety, going through Gaberial Bend, there are 2 large rocks in the center, I usually edge the rocks, game of chicken, I hit the first rock and spilled over, than thinking nothing of it, I tried again with the 2nd large rock, same results, spill over, the gang was looking at my like they did not believe what they saw, since I have ran this 100s of times, i noticed something was wrong, with my vision so I went to the eye doctor and came to find out I have a Retinal vein occlusions along with a Vitreous Detachment , in my left eye and was blind from center to nasal area, lost of depth perception, ending my anything above class III whitewater

Premiered Apr 18, 2021 We continue our journey in learning how to kayak on the Eno River, NC. Bonnie, Alan, Mitch and Scott join Adam and I for an exploratory run down the Eno River. This stretch is listed as a class I - III run on American Whitewater. The level was 4.74' on the USGS gauge. This was the B&A crew's first exploratory run where nobody on the river had been on that particular stretch. We focused on how to conduct such a run safely. We also spent some time doing some skill stretching exercises as well as practicing on their approach into rapids and eddies. All in all, a wonderful day on the water in a backyard river! Again Pete takes a group of new WW kayakers and works on their skills and reading the water River King Pete: www.youtube.com/@RiverKingsKayak Bonnie and Alan: www.youtube.com/@BAAdventures Bonnie and Alan are hoot, be prepared to laugh alot

Premiered Jul 18, 2021 Yakkelberry and I head to the Haw river to get his whitewater career cranked up. He has a pretty solid roll from lake practice. Now to put some flat water concepts into motion on some moving water! Day one, we tackle perhaps the most useful skill set on a whitewater river, catching an eddy! He is a pretty quick study and the improvement comes quickly. Come on out and watch Adam as he dives into the world of whitewater kayaking! So fun! If you are new to whitewater give this video a look - we were all there once! Ran into Pete of River Kings, I was guiding for another group and we ended up joining, always good time, please support River King Pete: please visit him https://www.youtube.com/@RiverKingsKayak/videos

Sep 23, 2021 HAW RIVER CANOE LAUNCH (LOWER HAW PUT-IN, MIDDLE HAW TAKE-OUT) A few of us caught our one of our local runs after some rain. The Middle and Lower Haw River offer some great opportunities for fun and skill development. You just never know what you may come across out there! P5 did a great job carving up Gabriel's Bend. Pete runs a great channel that offers a variety of kayaking, from camping, to long hauls to white water, the man is responsible for getting thousands into kayaking he has a YouTube channel , please visit him https://www.youtube.com/@RiverKingsKayak/videos

Was trying out my New WW SOT, was not for me

Out on my own, enjoying creation and the creator

Will there be downfall? Oh YES!

the year of 2023

Well I wanted to meet at 0930 hours but it seems everyone was already there, so unloaded, we talked about taking out at Wagram 401, which we did, Van had boat guard, and we went to Wagram, Andy's Uber shuttled us back, I tipped him ;). We was in the water according our time keeper, Van, 0958hrs, which I was looking at being on the water by 1000hrs to let the sun warm things up alittle. I will say the water was moving along at a brisk place, actually paddling was not required but ruddering was. We came into downfall very soon, nothing that Gene and saw could not take care or and it was really just to clear over head and side branches. It was really a very nice paddle, water level was great, all other downfall was easy to get around or under in true LRCC fashion, a few short cuts was taken, but I mostly stayed in the main channel, no hurry to return back to the world. at noon we was already at Chalk Banks, where we decided to eat lunch, Andy entertained us with so photos on his phone, I was glad that I was not drinking anything at the time, or it would have come out my nose from laughing, I did hear that Ann, ( Andy's wife was a bad influence on him ), I approve of it. Back in the water, we took about 25mins to complete the last 2 miles. I will say excellent job to the crew, staying together in such water and weather, as hyper thermal is always an issue with me in the season of year, if short cut was taken there was always atleast 2. We gathered up and lauded the boats, everyone said they really liked this trip, We wished each other Merry Christmas, shook hands and parted. I shuttled Andy back to his car, we talked about ice cream shop, but it is not open until 1600hrs, We almost had a swimmer, at the fabled area know as 4 fell, this is were 4 paddlers went into the water, one after another several years ago, I hit obstacle in water while adjusting my skeg, boat tilted enough to let a few gallons of water in, but I save myself, one can never under estimate the pucker factor. Paddle Scott, Andy, Chuck, Gene, Van Wildlife seen, 1 deer seen, but alot of deer heard moving in the water Some new construction on the banks on private property Pics by Andy and Chuck Lessons Learned, do not remove thigh braces Wish you and Yours a Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah from my family to yours! Scott and Patrick Again, I want to thank the gang for a great day on the water and the last one for me for the year

9 boats in low water, the down fall clearing done prior, has paid off on this trip, no portage, even in low flow, nice easy relaxing paddle with friends of the water ways.