Tuesday, May 19, 2009

May 18. Jay Wolfe. This morning I awoke from a restless night. I could still see my breath and feel the chill of the cold through my clothes. A breakfast of Cream of Wheat hit the spot.

As we got ready to paddle today, I volunteered to switch to the two-kayak. We took pictures as a group and set out on our way 15 miles across Lake Hickory. It was actually quite cold with a chilly headwind blowing in our faces for the better part of the day. Lunch consisted of bagels with summer sausage and pepperjack cheese, trail mix, and a fun fact from Robert Dye on how Native Americans used to catch ducks from ponds. Apparently, Native Americans used to hollow out big pumpkins and cut holes for eyes. They would then put it on their head and wade through the water with only the pumpkin sticking out. Then they would sneak up on the unsuspecting duck, grab it, and Voila! Dinner! The day came to a close with Thomas' parent bringing ribs, wings, cookies and fruit for dinner, followed by a presentation by Tony, a specialist in river management. We wrapped up the evening with group discussion on the day's reading and a little late night chit-chat and joke telling. The day went well, and I am happy to come away from it with two new friends thanks to the two-person kayak.

16 comments:

  1. Jay,
    Thanks for the update. I have thought about all of you cold....at the time you were packing I thought, "why is Jay taking his fleece?" Good thing I didn't help you pack! Each day sounds wonderful and thanks for sharing. We all love you....Mom and Dad (Dad got mad I didn't put his name on my note yesterday : )

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  2. You guys get some props for enduring a 38 degree night last night--and for your early morning wake up call. That siren can wake the dead when it goes off! Hope the rest of your trip is warmer and that you paddle safely. Best of luck!

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  3. As an alum who lived at Ross Hall the summer after graduation (back in the jr. college days)I can imagine the scene of your packing all your gear for the trip...I remember the misty mornings when fog hung in the trees and covered the hill. I'd descend the hill on foot through the mist and walk into a new day, enjoy the colorful gladiolas on one side of the road, check the progress of the green beans growing on the other, cross the campus, and trudge up the hill to my summer waitressing job. I'm glad old Ross Hall is still there on its hill. If that sounds like 50+ years ago, it was. You're off to a cool start on your watery voyage! (Something to remember when you get closer to Charleston and it becomes hot and muggy.) But, what an adventure for each of you! Much good luck; I wish you well, and will be thinking of you through the days ahead. For anyone thinking of Catawba River history: One of my great-grandfathers ran a ferry across the Catawba River; no doubt you will pass many areas that could have been such ferry crossings long ago. Safe journey! kjm Class of '57

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  4. Actually, where y'all stayed last night at Riverbend Park is just down river from an old ferry crossing where the present day Oxford Dam is now. Back then it was called Oxford Shoals.

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  6. Mary Valentine, Janna Barton, and I (Liz Walker) are in ol' Charleston today! It's just as cold and windy here as you described in your post. I'm confident it will warm up, although it looks iffy as far as rain :) Nothing you guys won't be able to handle, though!! Keep on!

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  7. Hey VOR & Robert!

    You are in my neck of the woods now. I'd love to paddle with you tomorrow (Wednesday 5/20), but need to know where to meet up. I can wait for you in the main channel of Lake Norman, or meet when you pull out to get around the Cowans Ford dam. Give me a yell. 704-650-0213.

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  8. Hope this isn't a duplicate. My last attempt was denied I think. 38 degrees wasn't too bad for you Patrick--you are from Michigan after all. Its great sleeping weather--right??? Hope it warmed up today. Looking forward to tomorrow's post--the bloggers are all doing a great job. It sounds like you are all having a wonderful adventure. Love, Dad, Mom and Maggie.

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  9. There's nothing like a little late night chit-chat and joke telling :D oh man oh man! I hope everyone is having an extraordinary time! Oh and Patrick buhhuddy Rumo is a rad book so far :)

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  10. Hey, VOR! It was nice and sunny in Brevard today; hope you had the same weather after that cold night! Sounds like things are going well. Talk to as many people as you can. Find out what they love about the lakes.
    Paddle hard! See you Thursday at the WWC.

    Ken C
    VOR08

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  11. Hi Robert and VOR adventurers,
    Logan and I are enjoying the connection to you guys through your blog and facebook page. It gives us the feeling that we are traveling with you - minus the cold, head wind, sore muscles, good food, and exceptional paddling. Sounds like a great trip. It's fun learning more about the Catawba and the many conncections people have with the river and lakes. I'm sending to you the newspaper articles from the local paper in Hickory. We love you Robert!! Andi and Logan

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  12. I loved the pumpkin story! Karen, you'll have so much to share with us when you get home!

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  13. Charles and everyone . . . I am sure you know this and have this well planned, but just in case not . . . You will be passing through the largest colony of rocky shoals spider lilies in the world in a couple of days. Should be in full bloom. Great reading about the trip. Aunt Cathie

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  14. Hey everyone on VOR!! i hope that yall are having a blast. it sure sounds like yall are. Keep up these awesome posts and live every minute out there because you will never experience this twice. Keep up the morale on those cold, windy days and listen to Robert. He has a lot to say even when hes not talking. Enjoy the rest of your trip!! ~Lucy

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  15. The post by kjm '57 made me long for my days in Taylor Hall in the early 70's (yeah, it was a dorm then). Having been there, I envy all BC students, but you paddlers are REALLY taking advantage of what will be remembered as some of the best times of your lives. Enjoy!

    Mike '72

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  16. Jay,

    Sounds all too familiar, Bagels, summer sausage and cheese...haha, you will never want to look at a bagel again (well not for a long time) I can only imagine how much fun you are having. I plan to keep up on the blog. Hope all is well and you are enjoying the adventure. See you soon
    ~Merek

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