Whitewater Rafting on the Nantahala

Per Chris :
This is scheduled for July 31-August2. We will camp on the 31st and the 1st and raft on the 1st. Camping at Ela camp ground, prices is $5/person/tent/night. Cabins are available at $8/person/night. 5 person requirement for cabin. Have not discussed down payment with camp ground people yet. Rafting sat. 10am which should put us back in time for lunch. Cost $22/person for guide assisted. We will be rafting with the paddle inn rafting co. payment due when we get there as a whole.

We need a head count for the august outing ASAP - please contact Chris Himes.

The campground :

• http://www.elacampground.com/index.html
• 5100 Ela road(US 19 North) Bryson City, NC, 28713
• 828-488-2440

The rafting company :

• http://www.paddleinnrafting.com/
• 14611 US 19 West Bryson City, NC 28713
• 828-488-9651

Directions :

http://maps.yahoo.com/#mvt=h&lat=35.390785&lon=-83.489445&zoom=13&q1=5100%2520Ela%2520road%2520Bryson%2520city%252C%2520NC%252028713&q2=14611%2520US%252019%2520West%2520Bryson%2520City%252C%2520Nc%252028713

Menu
Fri - Dinner - on your own
Sat - Breakfast - French Toast and Little Smokies
Sat- Lunch - Sandwiches (*)
Sat - Dinner - Chicken (BYO), salads, sides, cobblers
Sun - Breakfast - Breakfast Burritos and Grits

(*) I would strongly encourage you to bring a snack for after rafting - lunch will likely be a bit late - Scott

Saluda Whitewater Canoeing

This outing is planned to be a canoe trip on the Saluda that will include some instruction and a chance to run some whitewater. Tentatively we are planning to go from Riverbanks Zoo down to the Gervais Street bridge. This stretch includes several class I and II rapids.

These are the topics we will cover before going down the river :

• Boat control - some tips on what to do to make the boat go where you want it to
• "Reading the water" - some tips on how to know where to go when running a rapid
• Rescue - what to do when your boat tips over -

• how to swim in moving water

  how to use a throw rope

  how to perform a "boat over boat" rescue

We'll be practicing these in the water so be ready to get wet!

Schedule :

• 09:00 hrs we will meet at the Riverbanks Zoo Parking lot (Right side of the parking lot facing the zoo entrance)
• 09:30 hrs be in the water and start instruction
• 10:30 - 11:00 hrs head down river
• 12:00 - lunch
• 14:00-15:00 get out of the river!

Between the Broam "fleet" and the YMCA's canoes, we can provide 6-8 canoes and equipment. We know that a number of you have canoes, too. We ought to be able to come up with boats for all, but if not, we can rent additional canoes and share the cost (which should be minimal).

NOTE : While this trip will be suitable for even our smallest and youngest Trailblazers, note that having more than one child in your canoe will be more challenging (but not impossible). If you would like to bring more than one youngster with you, consider recruiting an adventurous uncle, grandpa, or mom to come along. Please contact Scott if you have any questions or concerns.

Watch this space for a checklist of things to bring!

Virginia Creeper Trail Trip

Some handy links

A map of various points of interest and a route from Lexington to the campground :
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=113743287332160291459.00046befe6f2e31c1fa6e

The campground - Grindstone Campground near Troutdale, VA :
http://www.recreation.gov/camping/Grindstone_Va/r/campgroundDetails.do?page=details&contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70449&topTabIndex=CampingSpot

The bike outfitter : http://www.jcsoutdoors.com/
Trail information :
http://www.vacreepertrail.org/
http://www.vacreepertrail.com/trailMaps/trailMaps.htm

Backpacking trip to Ellicott Rock

What a great trip!

Ft. Discovery

It was a dark and rainy afternoon. We drove from SC all the way to Georgia and...WE HAD A LOT OF FUN! Fort Discovery was awesome! We spun in the Gyro, were weightless for a minute, and got a big workout on the bike simulator. The astronomy showing was great. Who has seen Orion, Taurus, Sirius or any other constellations? The chemistry show gets 3 thumbs up! Who knew there were so many uses for liquid nitrogen?!? My favorite part was the "Dinosaur egg." This outing was awesome! I hope we get to go again!!!!

Go to this link to view some photos:
http://picasaweb.google.com/JoeMadge/SCYMCATrailblazersAdventures?authkey=UvLsXD7sKzA#

Your Historian,
Jolie F-M

Outing to Ft. Discovery

We spent the day at Ft. Discovery, a hands on science museum, in Augusta, GA.

The Dad's Outing

The Dad's had an overnight outing at the Lexington Y. We bowled, ate BBQ at Porky D's, sat around a campfire, and ate breakfast at the IHOP Sunday. We decided that might be how we hold the Dad's Planning Meetings in the future...