Coastals

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who had a hand in organizing the weekend at the Yough. I had a great time, enjoyed some good food, watched some cool movies, kayaked and rafted. The only downsides were a self inflicted hip issue after a swim and hitting a bear, yes a bear, on my drive back to Richmond. Look forward to the next weekend adventure with my fellow boaters.

Jeff

I bear? I've done quite a bit of backpacking and have only seen a wild bear once. Maybe I should have told you about that sandwich you left sitting on your bumper when you pulled out.

Thanks Tom, Wade and everyone who contributed to making this one of the finest coastals gatherings I have been to. Weather was fantastic, water was generous, lots of play and some very big smiles. Saturday breakfast was yummy also. Big shout out to Alicia, and her "team" for hosting a 1st timers trip on the UY....that's another story I see Jon has started a link to so I'll flip to that page...

Stephanie

rvajma wrote:Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who had a hand in .......

...... dragging T.... (oops, not supposed to tell on friends, let's just say it rhymes with Schmerri) and me out of the river at River's End after our K-2, misadventure there. Lee, dude, nice rope toss, and special thanks for thinking to set up where you did. Laced it right over my shoulder. Let me know if you want to pursue a second career with the NFL.

Max, "dude" again, thanks for covering my back by making Wade pay attention to the situation. Wade, I'm struggling with the boat designation as you transported the jetsam to the next eddy. I'm going with ORS3+D. Oar-rig-shredder-three-people-plus-dog. Nicely played, hoping you didn't push too hard on the oars to make the unexpected left turn (we figured the boat was further downstream).

Clean up crew, dunno who all was involved but thanks for collecting paddles and boat.

Big fun day all around for me, thanks of course to Jon D for doing the cat herding!

Ken Dubel

Thanks to everyone for making this a very memorable and successful trip.
I especially want to thank all the Trip Coordinators, whether they were OCT's or impromptu. You made this gathering rock.
I really enjoyed meeting all of the new paddlers and enjoyed paddling with great friends I don't get to see as often as I'd like.
I'm putting pictures on my flickr now, when it's finished I'll post the link.
Here are a few.

Casselman X 2 = not at all disappointed that I missed out on PFD of the LY. The LY will be there next time. And if the Casselman is running next time....I may skip the PFD again. Have I mentioned that I just LOVE that little ole river? My only beef is that after 8 days of WOR......this weekend ended far too soon. Thanks to all who made it happen.

Great trip!
Got to lead Dad down the Lower twice. And you won't see any pictures of him flying out of the raft this year!
See how thing go much smoother when I'm showing you the lines!

bambam wrote: Max, "dude" again, thanks for covering my back by making Wade pay attention to the situation.


Ken Dubel

No problem. Somebody had to babysit, I mean keep Dad in line, while Mom's away! He's so ADD, whoa, something shinny and off he goes.

bambam wrote: I'm struggling with the boat designation as you transported the jetsam to the next eddy. I'm going with ORS3+D. Oar-rig-shredder-three-people-plus-dogl

That would be ORP3+C (Oar-Rig-Paddlecat-3 People Plus Captain!

It was a GREAT weekend! For those who haven't paddled the Casselman, it's a great learning river - non-stop eddie hopping, good gradient - a nice class 2 (2+) run.

Many thanks to Dave Kessmann for all the behind the scenes work he did to make this such a fun weekend. He set up the camping for us - nice spot for all of us to camp and gather around the pavillion. He and Brandon did the grocery run for the great pancake & sausage breakfast that everyone enjoyed. And not done yet, he organized the film showings at Wilderness Voyagers on Saturday nite. Awesome weekend, Dave - how did you order the higher water?

So many others to thank - all the trip coordinators, all those who coached first timers down the rivers, all those who helped with the cooking, cleaning up,

And three days of great paddling (for me, the Yough and Casselman)!

Barb wrote: Many thanks to Dave Kessmann for all the behind the scenes work he did to make this such a fun weekend. He set up the camping for us - nice spot for all of us to camp and gather around the pavillion. He and Brandon did the grocery run for the great pancake & sausage breakfast that everyone enjoyed. And not done yet, he organized the film showings at Wilderness Voyagers on Saturday nite. Awesome weekend, Dave - how did you order the higher water?

WOW, that's 6 mentions for little Davey KessmanN all in one paragraph!!! Awesome job Barb, he will be sooooo happy!

It was such a great weekend Guy, that I bet you wished you still paddled so that you could have come.

I also want to add my thanks to everyone who had a hand in organizing this great weekend, particularly Wade and Sejal.
It was my first attempt at the LY and Sejal had the patience of a saint in leading me down on Saturday, Brandon...likewise on Sunday.
There were swims (whoever coined the phrase "swimmingly" was clearly not a paddler), but more importantly there was a tremendous network of support with tips and help whenever it was needed.
I have lots of things to work on, but some the many upsides of the weekend were - I had my first attempts at hand paddling (after Sejal's T rescue at Rivers End), and river raft guiding (after I lost my boat, the rafters lost half their crew, and we conveniently met in the middle of the river beyond Dimple Rock)

Awesome food, great people to paddle with, a beautiful...and for me, exhilarating river...look forward to the next time!!

George

Eskimo Toast wrote:river raft guiding (after I lost my boat, the rafters lost half their crew, and we conveniently met in the middle of the river beyond Dimple Rock)

George

There are easier ways to pickup chicks!

Mango wrote:It was such a great weekend Guy, that I bet you wished you still paddled so that you could have come.

I kinda still paddle... sounds like a good time that I missed though..

guy66 wrote:

Mango wrote:It was such a great weekend Guy, that I bet you wished you still paddled so that you could have come.

I kinda still paddle... sounds like a good time that I missed though..

And, you were missed.