A collection of photography and exploration focusing on Upstate South Carolina and beyond.
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The decision was not made lightly. Do we go to Disney World, or do we go camping, kayaking, and four-wheeling? After spending eight days without power, we figured we had already done the camping thing, but we decided for Ocala National Forest over animated mice. We packed up the convertible and headed out at 6:00 … Read More “Juniper Run” »
It seems that we have run the Tuckaseegee more than the Green this summer. The crowds of float bubbas have gotten so obnoxious that we’re willing to drive the extra miles to get to the Tuck.
I almost chickened out. TS Cindy flooded most of the Southeast on Thursday. The Tuck was running at 5.8 feet above normal, Hurricane Dennis was scheduled for landfall today, and it was cloudy in Greenville – all ingrediants for disaster. Despite certain doom, I loaded up the kayak and headed toward Dillsboro to meet Bob and Roxanne. After a slight memory slip as to the location of the put-in, I found Bob and Roxanne and unloaded the boats. The river didn’t look too rough, and a local raft company was getting ready to launch with children on board. We figured if kids could take it, we could handle what the Tuck might throw at us.
As I was looking over the site today, I noticed that there was no section for links to paddling resources. How in the world could that be?? Anyway, I have updated our links page with tons of info on paddling in our region. Enjoy.
Why is it some Indian maiden is always committing suicide for a lost love? The Appalachian Mountains are littered with the names of these unfortunate young women – Evaleka, Cateechee, Issaqueena, and Jocassee among them – or named for the event itself – Jump-Off Rock in Hendersonville and Blowing Rock as examples. This weekend Houston … Read More “Paddling Jocassee” »
I have a consistent dream. In this dream, I arrive at a small town somewhere in the mountains of North Carolina. A beautiful whitewater river flows next to the town, and artisan shops line the streets. As this dream has repeated, I have added more and more detail to the town. The main highway curves … Read More “In search of a lake” »
The horizon is suddenly much closer, and the sound of rushing water is upon you. As you approach the entrance, you look for the tongues – the flat patches that indicate where the rocks aren’t. You pull hard on the paddle, trying to stay on the line you’ve chosen and not wind up on the … Read More “Paddling in Tongues” »
No, I’m not talking about a porno film. Paul W and I decided to paddle a section of the French Broad River today. I was tired of the crowds of "float bubbas" with their inner tubes on the Green River, so another venue was in order. Specifically, I was looking for the following: 1. a … Read More “Paddling the French Broad” »
One turbine running at 100% – ideal conditions for a run down the Green. Unfortunately, hundreds of others, mainly on inner tubes, also thought so. Despite the crowds, Bob and I still had a good run. Dodging the float bubbas was not unlike my daily commute on I-85. With the fast river conditions, crowds, and … Read More “Take me to the river…” »
After running the river Saturday, I decided to check out the American Whitewater site. They have made a major overhaul of the website, with an expanded river guide with photos and video clips. It’s now an excellent resource.