Paddling the Nantahala Saturday 3/18/06

I worked hard last weekend and have been stressed still with the new electronic medical records system at our office. I REALLY needed to get outside and paddle my kayak. Also I have been trying to arrange some great adventrue trips paddling this week and was enthused about getting my skills back to where I left them in the fall. I have been paddling my smallest boat which is a Jackson Star exclusively since I bought it halloween weekend so I didn't regress in my paddling style this year (I usually paddle my old 11-foot Corsica in the winter.) My roll is still good and I have paddled agressively so far this year. The weather was cold again but the trees & flowers were in bloom and were beautiful I got up early as I was excited and got to the river 2 hours before the water release. I locked my boat up at the top and drove back down. I parked above the falls as I took 2 additional boats that I planned to paddle over the falls after I was too tired to carry the Star back up. I met Dan & Chester at the bottom, rode up with them, and paddled all day with them. We had a great day and I got sunburned. I pushed Dan & Chester to their limits and by the bottom they were being quite agressive (especially at "the bump"). I especially appreciated Chester videoing my first descent over "the falls" when I flipped over backwards. It was helpful for me to see what I did wrong. I ended up carring the Star back up 3 more times for some fun runs. I expect I am well ahead of my skills last year. See you on the river Chester & Dan!!! /hugh

Chester & Dan at the bottom. Great day guys!!