Wednesday, May 20, 2009

May 20. Jennifer Gift. Today we paddled Lake Norman and lucked out with a little bit of tailwind to get us started. This lake was the most active of lakes we've paddled thus far with motor boats and jet skis going left and right. I felt that the first part of the day went really well, and we kept together as a group very nicely. We stopped to have PB&Js at a lovely woodsy area by the river...lake...unbenownst to us a mere stroke away from the next public access boat ramp. There were a lot of pretty white butterflies that had a habit of resting on us. One sat on my sandal while one ate my lunch and wouldn't leave until I got it wet as I was climbing back in my kayak to shove off. The second half of the day was a bit trying for those of us who have lost foot peddles.I have inherited Karen Love's boat because she prefers the tandum and having a buddy. I've deemed it "The Love Boat" because for the obvious reason it was hers and also because it needs alot of love. The wind picked up a bit and without the assistance of a rutter or skag, it was a bit difficult to keep the boat on track, but we pushed through. We stopped at a small island to take a swim in the afternoon and that was fun and refreshing. It was a hot day. "Nights are cool and days blue and yellow and soft of air" (John Graves). The last stretch of Lake Norman was a bit tougher due to a cross breeze, but when we got to the boat ramp, we had plenty of time to rest because John Palmer locked the keys in the van. After we got that worked out, we put in for the second time at Mountain Island Lake behind Cowan's Island Ford Dam, the largest dam on the Catawba. John just informed us that a 1 inch declination in the lake raises the river one foot. We were joined by two men who teach outdoor recreation at Davidson College. How about that mom? Actually being on a river like before was very wonderful. With the currents help we made our destination in no time and immediately cut open a watermelon...yum yum. I'm currently sitting on a bench swing by the river watching the fish jump, the sundial to my right slowly change, Tom Allsion fly fishing, and thinking it's been a pretty super day.

12 comments:

  1. Always so exciting to see the new blog of the day- your words are delightful. Saw articles/photos in 2 newspapers; Morganton News Herald on the 16th. and Hickory Daily Record today(20th). Paddle on ! ~~from Kim's mom~~ XOXO

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hey Dad, How is it going? I hope you are catching some good fish.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great article in the Hickory Daily Record. Great Pic of Jay and Karen. We continue to think of you all each day and know you are all having a great time...love, The Wolfe Family

    ReplyDelete
  4. John Palmer,
    I hope things are going well for you as they did for me. I did lock the keys in the van once as well. Luckily it was not a day I was to pick the group up for a portage, water drop or food drop. I was rescuing the camera which had been picked up by a fire fighter along the Augusta Canal. Although the cameral had been in a dry box it had gotten wet after being submerged for about 6 hours or more. Margaret Ann was so happy when i brought the camera back to her in Savannah with all the photos from the card saved on my computer.

    I wish the group well and expect to see you all in Charleston.

    Cheers,
    James

    ReplyDelete
  5. Van issues are no fun. We(immersion) had an issue when we went to Congaree with a flat tire that we couldn't get off. We had to wait until a local guy came and used "brute force" to pull it off.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love the comments! Thanks for the post.
    Is there someone who could email us a more detailed agenda? We would love to meet the group when you pass near us (upstate SC)
    MLLove2000@aol.com.

    ReplyDelete
  7. ENJOYING THE INPUT.... IT WAS GREAT HAVING DINNER AND MEETING THE WHOLE TEAM THE OTHER NIGHT IN HICKORY. THOMAS EVERYONE IN PITTSBURGH SAYS HELLO AND WANTED TO FIND OUT IF YOU CAUGHT ANY FISH. ARE YOU AT THE WHITEWATER CENTER YET? ANTHONY SAYS HELLO AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHEN YOU ARE COMING TO PITTSBURGH? FOR ALL HURRICANE FANS WE WERE POUNDED TONIGHT BY PITTSBURGH 7 TO 4.

    ReplyDelete
  8. THE LAST COMMENT CAME FROM THE ALLISON CLAN WILL BLOG AGAIN SOON.... THE ARTICLE IN THE HICKORY DAILY RECORD WAS GREAT, THOMAS DISCUSSION AND THE PICS WERE SUPER. TALK TO YOU AGAIN SOON...

    ReplyDelete
  9. Enjoying following your trip! I was where you are 8 years and 4 months ago paddling the lakes in Southern Argentina. What a life changing experience it was!! Tell Robert "Hola mi Tio, tu sobrina."

    Cherish every moment...Pura Vida!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Sounds like yall are having an excellent time - I wish I could've come to visit yesterday but alas - it just didn't work out. I hope there are plenty of pictures being taken and that you are all living in the moment and enjoying EVERY aspect of the trip.
    -ME

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Robert,
    Seems to me the journals would make a most interesting book! VOR - what a grand way to enjoy the love of nature while acquiring an education. The team work is amazing. Each day seems to bring more adventures and suprises with nature while meeting the very best folks along the way.

    I hope you had a good fishing report to share with Logan. We will soon be off to his baseball. - Mom

    ReplyDelete
  12. thats my old stomping ground:)
    i spent many summer days on lake norman getting my toes red from the mud, and use to skip school to go swim at mtn islan lake :)

    wish i was there with yall!

    Beth Suttles

    ReplyDelete