NRG

NRG - The New River Gorge - is hands down, one of the best playgrounds on Earth. With world class rock climbing, world class paddling, mountain biking, base jumping, great food, great people and a fun town, it's pretty much got it all.

It's where I have recorded more than one 'Perfect Day' -- paddle the Gorge solo early before all the rafts put on, get picked up by Doc at the take-out and go rock climbing all day, paddle the Gorge again in the evening with Doc to get the sweat of the day off, go have a great dinner at the Sedona Grille, camp, repeat. Yep, that's pretty much perfect.

When I first got down to Marion, typical high Spring waters were ripping through the Gorge, so I had to see what old friends were still in Fayetteville. Sure enough, my friend Bryan Kirk, always eager to go paddle and THROW DOWN, was around and ready to go. That's him getting inverted at Surprise. Just typing this, and thinking about the high-water boof at the top of Double-Z, makes me smile. Ah, the sound the hull makes ----- TTHHHHHUUUUMMMPPPBBB. Can't beat it!!!

Before I leave that area, I always finish with a run down the Gorge. By the end of the summer, typical low water conditions had set in, and most of my friends were out of town on the competition circuit. Luckily, it's a paddling town, and we're a friendly lot, and Doc had crossed path with a local paddler, Elizabeth, a fan of Jackson Kayak who was eager to paddle. Always one to meet new paddlers and make new friends, we met up and I headed down the river with her, JBob, Dot and Todd. The New has a bunch of little hidden playspots, and I was happy to introduce them to the 'Splat Room' -- an awesome little boulder/cave that is set up perfect for rock splats, splat wheels, cartwheels to splats, loops to splats, whatever flavor of splat you like really. After a few tries, Dot dialed in her first splat with cheers from us all and celebration ensued.

After I got home, Elizabeth shared the pics (Thanks!), and had this to say -- "Thanks for your help with my flatwater looping.....I love the sounds it makes! "

That's what it's all about right there. Making friends and making smiles.

D

Good 'Ol Times in 'Nawrrs'

The 'Nawrrs', or Narrows, VA, is small town in Southwest, VA on the New River. It's where I spent a few Co-Op semesters during my time at Clemson, where I really started rock climbing hard, where I learned to kayak, and where I met two incredible friends, Ralph and Doc.

Ralph and Doc are pretty much the center of the outdoor lifestyle in their small town, definitely having 'been there, done that' for pretty much anything you can think of, and probably more you can't. They were the first people I called when I found out about my temporary assignment in Marion, and Ash could see the excitement in my eyes as I began packing and telling old stories. I couldn't wait for them to meet her.

They don't spend as much time on the water and rock as they used to, and have become big mountain bikers now. I've never been one who favors wheels, but after a few weeks, and with trails right out my cabin door in Hungry Mother, a mountain biker I became.....or, at least a mountain crasher. I'm still working on that....luckily Doc (a chiropractor, check that, THE chiropractor) was there to straighten me out each time I came up with a mouthful of leaves and dirt.

It was great catching up with them over the months. Ralph met a great biking gal, Lori, and before we headed home, had the pleasure of attending their wedding at their cabin in Narrows. Ash made a furry friend, and afterwards we hiked up 'Ralph's Trail' -- about 2.5 miles of single track that Ralph has single handedly cut up 1500 ft of the mountain behind his house to link it to a larger trail network. I've always called him the human mule, and this just proves it.

Another highlight was finally getting Ash in a whitewater kayak down the river! She loves the flatwater, but isn't much for the white variety. Ralph and I told her how great this section was for beginners -- it's where I learned, deep, warm water, Class II, straight forward big water rapids, perfect for learning with no real consequences of a swim. Big Bubbles, No Troubles!

I put her in our new creeker, the Jackson Kayak Villain S. The same qualities that make it an excellent Class V steep creeker --- stability, speed, tracking ability, comfort, easy to roll, etc, also make it an excellent beginner boat. When you're first learning to paddle a whitewater boat, which aren't really designed to go straight, you always feel like you are spinning out all the time from subtle differences in paddle strokes and weight transfers. After a few of these 'burnouts', Ash had the tracking down and took right to it, nailing the lines and even cracking a few smiles.

If you're ever in Narrows, look up Doc and Ralph, they'll show you some of the incredible outdoor adventures the area has to offer.

Giddy Up Grayson

Mt. Rogers, in Grayson Highlands State Park, about an hour from Marion, was one of my favorite places to spend time during Co-op sessions in college. The highest point in VA, it has a resident herd of wild ponies, and is a favorite section of hikers heading North on the Appalachian Trail. Part of the deal with this new contract assignment was to allow for Ash to come down a couple times a month and telecommute to her job here in VT. So, early on I knew I wanted to take her up there to see the ponies and hike one of the most scenic sections of the AT.

I used love to go up and camp near the summit during ice storms in the Fall to test new gear for the upcoming winter. The summit ridges are exposed and get absolutely hammered in big storms -- aside from Mt. Washington, it's the only place on the East Coast where I've been physically blown off my feet.

Luckily Ash had blue skies and plentiful ponies. We were there just after birthing, and had a few shaky youngsters hanging around, getting used to life in the high country.

Marion Mountain Madness

OK, been a while since my last update since I've been pretty mobile the last 6 months or so, so it's time for a bit of a flashback sequence to catch up.

I took a work assignment for 3 months down in Marion, VA -- right near some old paddling and climbing haunts from college. I found a local cabin available to rent at Hungry Mother State Park, and after the long drive, pulled in over my private bridge over a small creek to what would become home for a while in the Southern Appalachians.

Spring time there means hungry trout though, so it didn't take long to find some nice local water with hungry wild trout eager to take a dry. Small streams cover the topo maps down there, and many, if they've survived mining pollution and warming stream temps, still harbor good populations of wild fish. You're not going to catch a 30" rainbow, but you'll have complete solitude and experience fly fishing that hasn't changed much over the years.

Fight the cabin fever, get out the maps, get the Jeep dirty, and head out. Embrace the rhododendron. It's worth a hike or two.

D