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.