Early last month OWLS ceased the ongoing maintenance and repair of our bike fleet. Oh we will still be doing trail rides and bike expeditions but, because so many of the kids we serve now have their own bikes, it just didn't make sense for me to be constantly doing all the work required to keep two dozen mountain bikes tuned up and ready to hit the trail.
The Beltline Bike Shop in Adair Park has what I think is a very unique program creating a true win-win in their neighborhood. They reward neighborhood kids with a refurbished bike of their own in return for bags of trash collected from the streets and yards around Adair Park in southwest Atlanta. This teaches the youngsters about setting goals and working hard until they achieve them while simultaneously cleaning the area of filth and eyesores. Now, each time one of the bike recipients starts to peddle he remembers the generosity of others and the value of hard honest labor. Beltline Bike Shop is now the owner of the former OWLS bikes - at least until they are earned by some of the very deserving kids they serve.
Here is the story in their words in a shortened edition of their thoughtful thank-you note:
Subj: Thank you for an Amazing Beltline Bike Shop Bike Drive
Hello!!! I wanted to personally thank each and every one of you for your generous hearts! The bike drive was a huge success because people like you followed a God prompt! I know how busy life is, but you paused, said YES and worked with me to make your donation. Thanks again for your precious hearts! I KNOW God is smiling!
Many blessings, Kimberly
Hi Everyone! Tim and I want to thank you for this past weekend and being part of an incredible bike drive, the first of it's kind for us! I'm so excited to share the final results with you! To give you perspective, over the past 16 months, we have been able to give away/invite kids to earn 100 bikes. This past Saturday, 40 families collected 250+ BIKES! We are blown away and blessed by your efforts and the excitement and work that went into the drive. There were 7 or 8 loads taken down on Saturday, full trucks and trailers and countless people who put in hours and hours collecting bikes from neighbors, figuring out how to get them to the church and then to the shop, blowing up tires and keeping it all organized. The shop is stocked to the brim! One cool story came Saturday afternoon as the collection team was figuring out how to get an extra trailer--already full--to the city with no one lined up to pull it. A dad, who had just dropped his son off at middle school bandpractice, walked up and offered to drive it down! What an amazing God provision, hours before the Saturday night service was set to begin! I heard great stories of families getting to serve together with their kids and the conversations that ensued about fellow kids who might not have a bike otherwise. We think it's pretty cool that bikes are so tangible to young kids and a great conversation starter about compassion and caring for neighbors. I hope you got to have similar conversations with your kids as well!
We always welcome you to remember us in your prayers when it comes to mind. :) Thank you again! It was a blessing working with you on this project!
Becky and Tim O'Mara
Find out more about this amazing program at the links below:
http://beltlinebikeshop.com/
http://twitter.com/beltline_bike
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=154586431468
Please spread the word! Tell others about this site and about the Outdoor Wisdom Leadership School - OWLS.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Paddle GA 2010 - Broad River & Savannah River
This year's annual Paddle GA & Canoe-a-thon, which took us about 85 miles down the Broad River from Franklin Springs, GA to Clarks Hill Reservoir and then down the Savannah River to Augusta, GA with a short paddle down the historic Augusta Canal, included a special blessing of camaraderie and fellowship from one of our college student volunteers, JD DeCastra who attends Auburn University. JD was not only a great help to me but jumped in to help the rest of the Paddle GA Navy whenever the opportunity presented itself and proved himself an admirable fund raiser by raising more contributions than anyone else. He then distinguished himself once again by donating the first place prize of a We-no-nah Adirondack canoe back to the OWLS Ministry to help us in providing great opportunities for sponsored at-risk teens. 
JD's selection of river trash earned him the title "Chair-man of the Broad." Once again I'll give you a break from my writing by giving the floor to JD. Here is his report of the week we spent on one of GA's foremost river systems: 
JD introduced me to one of the many critters we met along the way. When I started on this trip I was not sure of what I was doing or why I was doing it. I did not know the significance of or importance of what I had signed up to do. I took a leap of faith and jumped on an opportunity that presented itself before I had a chance to change my mind. The bulk of my struggle came when I was trying to raise the money to go on the trip. There were many times that I wanted to give up and say that I was unable to raise the money. However God blessed me with the strength to continue and stick it out. So when I was finally going, I was ecstatic, but nervous at the same time. Yes I work with kids, and know how to deal with them but I had no idea the gravity of the situation that I was embarking on. 
Warren Raymer who was a repeat OWLS participant enjoyed every rope swing he could find. When I first meet up with Mr. Simms I was give the tragic news that my paddling partner was not going to attend due to a death in the family, and that we were going to have an even smaller group of kids. It seemed as if the trip was already a bust before it had even begun. However even the tragedies in life are a part of God’s plan an even though I do not understand why some things happen I must trust that they are there to better me and those around me. The fact that there were not many kids on the trip allowed me to talk not only with kids but also with adults. This put me even further out of my comfort zone. It is hard enough to get someone to see God in every day events, and help them understand the lessons learned when that person is half your age, but trying to do the same to someone who is twice your age is even more difficult. People twice your age are suppose to have twice the wisdom and intelligence and are the ones who are suppose to be teaching you, and it took a while to get accustomed to switching shoes (I am still nowhere near comfortable doing so still). 
JD, Brad, and Warren discussing God's lessons as they travel downriver. The first day I sat at the starting location for around six hours by myself waiting for the rest of the OWLS to arrive. During this time I was very far out of my comfort zone so I stuck to the manners that my parents taught me, said a prayer for strength, and dove in head first to meet as many people as I could. I met many great people during this time, their ages ranging from young to old. Even though you just met them they treat you as if you had known them for years. The whole environment is very welcoming. The outdoors seems to have this effect on people. At Paddle Georgia everyone is the same. Everyone has to paddle the same amount, carry their own gear, suffer through the same heat, and sleep in the same uncomfortable sleeping conditions. It gives people something to relate to with each other. 
Notice Warren's lowered center of gravity as Brad maneuvers through the shoals. Through out the trip I shared my life story with random people that I met along the way and they would share theirs with me. I would talk and meet people on the river, eating a meal, sitting at camp, and riding the shuttle. The best part was I met people of all ages, walks of life, and different geographical areas. This gave me the opportunity to see the great diversity of God’s people, the fact that everyone has far different personalities but yet we are all the same. There was a time when I was paddling with someone on the last day and we were about 100 feet from the take out when we both jumped in to say that we have swam in the most polluted river in Georgia. We then started to swim to the take out and one thing lead to another and we were racing to the take out with or boats being dragged behind us. Then people started to line the edge of the river and cheer us on. I unfortunately lost but oh well. The point of the story is to show the camaraderie of all the people on the trip. 
"Chair-man of the Broad" day two. The morning of the second day was the first of our 85 miles. While on the river I had the opportunity to witness many of God’s lessons through nature and the people around me. The river offered many different types of experiences: there were times when I was by myself and it seemed as if I was the only one around for hundreds of miles. I used this time to reflect on my own life, listen to God and appreciate him in the natural world around me, or I was in the middle of a group of people shooting water guns, playing around, or talking. Experiences also changed with the river. Some days there were rapids, flat swift current on a relatively narrow river, or flat still water in the middle of a lake with the sun beating down on me, and with each different environment came many different lessons and experiences. 
JD just about to get his hair wet at the top of "The Falls." 
I think JD was the only one to hold his nose while taking the long plunge into the lake. The best day was when we first put on the Savannah River. We put in below a dam were the water temp was in the mid 50’s. 
Paddling in the early morning fog was the only time we felt even a little cool air. In the morning there was a fog over the water that was so thick I would barely see 20 feet in front of me. The most amazing part was that I could see the sun rays coming down hit the water and reflect off, and to add to the experience and beauty just as the fog was lifting a bald eagle soared over the river at tree top level. This was a sight that I will most likely never see again. 
The rising sun sent visible messages reminding us of God's awesome love. The part of the trip that stuck out to me was the talks I had with Mr. Simms at the end of the day. Our talks were normally about the lessons that we learned throughout the day and he would tell me stories of past trips and of the kids that he has worked with. This was when I began to realize the gravity of what I had embarked on. Two things happened I began see and realize that kids are stuck in a cycle of poverty, and how trips like paddle Georgia can be beneficial to the kids. Some of the problems that face underprivileged kids are, a lack of problem solving skills, individualism, and team work. When the kids are in school they are told to sit and listen, they are not challenged to be creative individuals or have an opinion, and since kids are not taught these things at school they learn these from the street and the people they hang around (not always the best place to learn these things). What paddle Georgia offered these kids was the opportunity to not only to experience something new but begin to learn these valuable skills. When you are paddling a tandem boat you must work as a team or you will never get down the river. A perfect example of this was a canoe I noticed where the person in the back was not paddling - just dragging the paddle in the water instead, because of this it was taking a long time for the boat to get down stream, and the sweep boat (the boat that will be the last off the river) was trying to make them go faster. Eventually the person was removed and the boat made it down the river. So in order to effectively paddle a boat you have to work as a team or you will never reach your goal. Being on the river not only forces you to work as a team but also to use problem-solving skills. As my experience coaching little kids gymnastics, I have discovered first hand that small kids have no problem-solving skills and they must be taught, something that can only be learned through trial and error. Paddling presents the perfect opportunity to do this. When you are sitting at the top of a rapid you have a problem that you must overcome. The problem is that you have to get to the bottom of the rapid without getting hurt. This step does two things it teaches the kids to recognize a problem and set an overall goal. Then you must pick a line, and stay on that line. As you are going down it is easy to get off line and you must react to the situation. This teaches the kids to think through how to achieve their ultimate goal and overcome the original problem. It also teaches them to react to an unexpected change in their original plan. Finally just being around a multitude of different individuals shows the kids the importance of individualism. They get the opportunity to get out of their bubble where all the kids act the same and just be themselves. However it is hard for kids to pick up on lessons such as these and it is even harder for them to apply the lessons to their own life. This is where OWLS comes in. We don’t just tell the kids the lessons that they should learn but we make them see them for themselves. We ask certain questions to get the kids thinking and guide them in the right direction. In doing this we help to teach the kids to pick up on the lessons themselves. It also rewards, and teaches them the importance of creative thinking. 
Anthony Shoals was one of my favorite parts of the trip. The trip started out on a bad foot with the loss of my paddling partner but overall it was an amazing and rewarding trip. I not only got to meet many new people, experience God in the natural world, help people along their journey through life, and grow closer to God but by the end I understood the importance of what I had signed up to do and am very grateful that God gave me this opportunity. I pray that many kids will be able experience the same that I did and grow to better themselves and those around them. JD Decastra - 2010 
Looks like JD was a favorite of many along the way! 
These ducks kept me companion for the last 2-1/2 miles of the trip.
JD's selection of river trash earned him the title "Chair-man of the Broad." Once again I'll give you a break from my writing by giving the floor to JD. Here is his report of the week we spent on one of GA's foremost river systems: 
JD introduced me to one of the many critters we met along the way. When I started on this trip I was not sure of what I was doing or why I was doing it. I did not know the significance of or importance of what I had signed up to do. I took a leap of faith and jumped on an opportunity that presented itself before I had a chance to change my mind. The bulk of my struggle came when I was trying to raise the money to go on the trip. There were many times that I wanted to give up and say that I was unable to raise the money. However God blessed me with the strength to continue and stick it out. So when I was finally going, I was ecstatic, but nervous at the same time. Yes I work with kids, and know how to deal with them but I had no idea the gravity of the situation that I was embarking on. 
Warren Raymer who was a repeat OWLS participant enjoyed every rope swing he could find. When I first meet up with Mr. Simms I was give the tragic news that my paddling partner was not going to attend due to a death in the family, and that we were going to have an even smaller group of kids. It seemed as if the trip was already a bust before it had even begun. However even the tragedies in life are a part of God’s plan an even though I do not understand why some things happen I must trust that they are there to better me and those around me. The fact that there were not many kids on the trip allowed me to talk not only with kids but also with adults. This put me even further out of my comfort zone. It is hard enough to get someone to see God in every day events, and help them understand the lessons learned when that person is half your age, but trying to do the same to someone who is twice your age is even more difficult. People twice your age are suppose to have twice the wisdom and intelligence and are the ones who are suppose to be teaching you, and it took a while to get accustomed to switching shoes (I am still nowhere near comfortable doing so still). 
JD, Brad, and Warren discussing God's lessons as they travel downriver. The first day I sat at the starting location for around six hours by myself waiting for the rest of the OWLS to arrive. During this time I was very far out of my comfort zone so I stuck to the manners that my parents taught me, said a prayer for strength, and dove in head first to meet as many people as I could. I met many great people during this time, their ages ranging from young to old. Even though you just met them they treat you as if you had known them for years. The whole environment is very welcoming. The outdoors seems to have this effect on people. At Paddle Georgia everyone is the same. Everyone has to paddle the same amount, carry their own gear, suffer through the same heat, and sleep in the same uncomfortable sleeping conditions. It gives people something to relate to with each other. 
Notice Warren's lowered center of gravity as Brad maneuvers through the shoals. Through out the trip I shared my life story with random people that I met along the way and they would share theirs with me. I would talk and meet people on the river, eating a meal, sitting at camp, and riding the shuttle. The best part was I met people of all ages, walks of life, and different geographical areas. This gave me the opportunity to see the great diversity of God’s people, the fact that everyone has far different personalities but yet we are all the same. There was a time when I was paddling with someone on the last day and we were about 100 feet from the take out when we both jumped in to say that we have swam in the most polluted river in Georgia. We then started to swim to the take out and one thing lead to another and we were racing to the take out with or boats being dragged behind us. Then people started to line the edge of the river and cheer us on. I unfortunately lost but oh well. The point of the story is to show the camaraderie of all the people on the trip. 
"Chair-man of the Broad" day two. The morning of the second day was the first of our 85 miles. While on the river I had the opportunity to witness many of God’s lessons through nature and the people around me. The river offered many different types of experiences: there were times when I was by myself and it seemed as if I was the only one around for hundreds of miles. I used this time to reflect on my own life, listen to God and appreciate him in the natural world around me, or I was in the middle of a group of people shooting water guns, playing around, or talking. Experiences also changed with the river. Some days there were rapids, flat swift current on a relatively narrow river, or flat still water in the middle of a lake with the sun beating down on me, and with each different environment came many different lessons and experiences. 
JD just about to get his hair wet at the top of "The Falls." 
I think JD was the only one to hold his nose while taking the long plunge into the lake. The best day was when we first put on the Savannah River. We put in below a dam were the water temp was in the mid 50’s. 
Paddling in the early morning fog was the only time we felt even a little cool air. In the morning there was a fog over the water that was so thick I would barely see 20 feet in front of me. The most amazing part was that I could see the sun rays coming down hit the water and reflect off, and to add to the experience and beauty just as the fog was lifting a bald eagle soared over the river at tree top level. This was a sight that I will most likely never see again. 
The rising sun sent visible messages reminding us of God's awesome love. The part of the trip that stuck out to me was the talks I had with Mr. Simms at the end of the day. Our talks were normally about the lessons that we learned throughout the day and he would tell me stories of past trips and of the kids that he has worked with. This was when I began to realize the gravity of what I had embarked on. Two things happened I began see and realize that kids are stuck in a cycle of poverty, and how trips like paddle Georgia can be beneficial to the kids. Some of the problems that face underprivileged kids are, a lack of problem solving skills, individualism, and team work. When the kids are in school they are told to sit and listen, they are not challenged to be creative individuals or have an opinion, and since kids are not taught these things at school they learn these from the street and the people they hang around (not always the best place to learn these things). What paddle Georgia offered these kids was the opportunity to not only to experience something new but begin to learn these valuable skills. When you are paddling a tandem boat you must work as a team or you will never get down the river. A perfect example of this was a canoe I noticed where the person in the back was not paddling - just dragging the paddle in the water instead, because of this it was taking a long time for the boat to get down stream, and the sweep boat (the boat that will be the last off the river) was trying to make them go faster. Eventually the person was removed and the boat made it down the river. So in order to effectively paddle a boat you have to work as a team or you will never reach your goal. Being on the river not only forces you to work as a team but also to use problem-solving skills. As my experience coaching little kids gymnastics, I have discovered first hand that small kids have no problem-solving skills and they must be taught, something that can only be learned through trial and error. Paddling presents the perfect opportunity to do this. When you are sitting at the top of a rapid you have a problem that you must overcome. The problem is that you have to get to the bottom of the rapid without getting hurt. This step does two things it teaches the kids to recognize a problem and set an overall goal. Then you must pick a line, and stay on that line. As you are going down it is easy to get off line and you must react to the situation. This teaches the kids to think through how to achieve their ultimate goal and overcome the original problem. It also teaches them to react to an unexpected change in their original plan. Finally just being around a multitude of different individuals shows the kids the importance of individualism. They get the opportunity to get out of their bubble where all the kids act the same and just be themselves. However it is hard for kids to pick up on lessons such as these and it is even harder for them to apply the lessons to their own life. This is where OWLS comes in. We don’t just tell the kids the lessons that they should learn but we make them see them for themselves. We ask certain questions to get the kids thinking and guide them in the right direction. In doing this we help to teach the kids to pick up on the lessons themselves. It also rewards, and teaches them the importance of creative thinking. 
Anthony Shoals was one of my favorite parts of the trip. The trip started out on a bad foot with the loss of my paddling partner but overall it was an amazing and rewarding trip. I not only got to meet many new people, experience God in the natural world, help people along their journey through life, and grow closer to God but by the end I understood the importance of what I had signed up to do and am very grateful that God gave me this opportunity. I pray that many kids will be able experience the same that I did and grow to better themselves and those around them. JD Decastra - 2010 
Looks like JD was a favorite of many along the way! 
These ducks kept me companion for the last 2-1/2 miles of the trip.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Call Me "Grandpa!"
The proud grandparents with our first grandchild.
Yes, it's true! On the morning of Sunday, September 5, 2010 (quite appropriately over Labor Day Weekend) my oldest daughter gave birth to our first grandchild, Lochlan Cade Rhodes, who weighed 6 lb. 15 oz., measured 20" long, and has the nicest head of dark brown hair you could imagine. Here are a few early photos of him that I hope you will enjoy with me.
The proud (and tired) parents with their new son.
How's that for a head of hair?
Mom with little Lochlan Cade Rhodes
This is one bright-eyed baby boy!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
OWLS Adventure in Alaska's Kenai Wilderness
The OWLS Alaskan Adventure took us across the Swan Lake Canoe Area, a well known but seldom traveled section of the Dave Spencer Unit of the Kenai Wilderness Area and the Alaska Moose Range. Check back here often because, during this amazing trip, we saw and experienced so many things that I will probably be updating this post for quite some time. Meanwhile, take a look at some of the photos here and try to imagine all those that we wish we had been able to shoot. Always open to questions and several have already asked about going on our next trip across "Alaska's Boundary Waters." Just let me know how many are in your party and when you can get away for a week or so and I'll do my best to make it happen.
The "Final Four" (Ben, Jack, Clay, & McClain) at the edge of Canoe Lake #1.
We started out with ten signed up for the trek but only seven arrived in Anchorage where we all assembled to start our adventure. The day we headed out to the trailhead, three others decided this expedition might be too much for them (or possibly due to the news of recent bear maulings the day of our arrival) and would not be convinced otherwise. After hurredly resorting our gear and provisions, we were still able to get a reasonable first day of paddling in and made camp on a point looking across Otter Lake with a view usually reserved for postcards.
Can you believe the record is a kick over 11 feet above the ground?
We passed Skilak Lake, part of the Upper Kenai on our way to Soldotna. Notice how the water here still has that blue sparkle indicating its glacial origin.
This view of the Kenai left no doubt in our minds that we didn't want to capsize in the river.
Our Alaska base of operations, Denise Lake Lodge.
One of our first views of Alaska from the ground. Although this immense wetland which is home to an amazing array of birdlife looks as wild as can be, it is actually the result of poor engineering for the construction of the Seward Highway which can be seen in the distance. When building up the roadbed for the highway, the many small creeks flowing across the terrain were effectively dammed up, creating what is now one of Kenai Peninsula's more highly visited wildlife attractions.
Here's a map of the various campsite locations we used during the week and that of Denise Lake Lodge, our base of operations on the Kenai Peninsula. We stayed at Denise Lake Lodge, the shore of Otter Lake, the beside Swan Lake, along the Moose River, then at its mouth in Sterling where it joins the Kenai River, and then back to Soldatna and the Lodge before parting company.
Jack's photo to send back home. Just in case someone didn't believe he really went there.
We took time to tour the native Alaskan museums, learn of customs, and even their music and games.
Jack decided that moose have every excuse in the world to be unpredictable, especially after carrying that much weight around on their heads all the time.
Possibly due to our excellent application of Leave-No-Trace Principles or maybe just because we made too much noise, the only bear spotted was on the opposite shore and downriver from our campsite in Sterling at the confluence of the Moose and Kenai Rivers.
The moose in town (this one near the airport) didn't seem to mind our presence nearly as much as their out-of-town cousins.
Clay in his usual situation: cigar in mouth and rod in hand. If he wasn't paddling or sleeping, he was fishing!
Our campsite along the Moose River was an obvious favorite of both human and wildlife visitors. 
Spring is calving season for the moose and we saw evidence of it at every turn. Of course, some like David Tenenbaum and his boys didn't see the evidence until too late and ended up being treed by Mama Moose. Dave - send us that video link you shot from the tree!
This fellow might have been a bit too close for comfort but who am I to run him off?
Clay and our lunch-to-be on the side of Rock Lake. Three Coho Salmon caught in the time it took me to build the fire. No need to open the packaged tuna on this trip for sure!
I guess they call this Swan Lake Canoe Area for a reason.
Another view from our Moose River campsite.
.JPG)
Jack earned the title of "Jack the Pack-Mule" as he definitely carried more than a fair share of our gear on many of the portages. When the trails closed in, we found it much easier to carry the canoes from the center rather than sharing the load and "steering" around curves from either end.
Here's Clay casting for yet another of the many Rainbow Trout he pulled from the Moose River during the two days we paddled it.
We couldn't let something like setting up our first night's campsite get in the way of another good meal, chili this time.
Jack and I cruised across Swan Lake.
This fellow had obviously become conditioned to either generous or sloppy campers around the spot we stopped on the Moose River. He watched us incessantly and sat on a branch right over my shoulder as I prepared our meals.
.JPG)
The Bradleys paddling one of the more intimate upper sections of the Moose River.
I practiced some really "laid back" paddling on this section of the Moose River.
One last photo at Denise Lake before heading our separate ways.
The "Final Four" (Ben, Jack, Clay, & McClain) at the edge of Canoe Lake #1.
We started out with ten signed up for the trek but only seven arrived in Anchorage where we all assembled to start our adventure. The day we headed out to the trailhead, three others decided this expedition might be too much for them (or possibly due to the news of recent bear maulings the day of our arrival) and would not be convinced otherwise. After hurredly resorting our gear and provisions, we were still able to get a reasonable first day of paddling in and made camp on a point looking across Otter Lake with a view usually reserved for postcards.
Can you believe the record is a kick over 11 feet above the ground?
We passed Skilak Lake, part of the Upper Kenai on our way to Soldotna. Notice how the water here still has that blue sparkle indicating its glacial origin.
This view of the Kenai left no doubt in our minds that we didn't want to capsize in the river.
Our Alaska base of operations, Denise Lake Lodge.
One of our first views of Alaska from the ground. Although this immense wetland which is home to an amazing array of birdlife looks as wild as can be, it is actually the result of poor engineering for the construction of the Seward Highway which can be seen in the distance. When building up the roadbed for the highway, the many small creeks flowing across the terrain were effectively dammed up, creating what is now one of Kenai Peninsula's more highly visited wildlife attractions.
Here's a map of the various campsite locations we used during the week and that of Denise Lake Lodge, our base of operations on the Kenai Peninsula. We stayed at Denise Lake Lodge, the shore of Otter Lake, the beside Swan Lake, along the Moose River, then at its mouth in Sterling where it joins the Kenai River, and then back to Soldatna and the Lodge before parting company.
Jack's photo to send back home. Just in case someone didn't believe he really went there.
We took time to tour the native Alaskan museums, learn of customs, and even their music and games.
Jack decided that moose have every excuse in the world to be unpredictable, especially after carrying that much weight around on their heads all the time.
Possibly due to our excellent application of Leave-No-Trace Principles or maybe just because we made too much noise, the only bear spotted was on the opposite shore and downriver from our campsite in Sterling at the confluence of the Moose and Kenai Rivers.
The moose in town (this one near the airport) didn't seem to mind our presence nearly as much as their out-of-town cousins.
Clay in his usual situation: cigar in mouth and rod in hand. If he wasn't paddling or sleeping, he was fishing!
Our campsite along the Moose River was an obvious favorite of both human and wildlife visitors.
Spring is calving season for the moose and we saw evidence of it at every turn. Of course, some like David Tenenbaum and his boys didn't see the evidence until too late and ended up being treed by Mama Moose. Dave - send us that video link you shot from the tree!
This fellow might have been a bit too close for comfort but who am I to run him off?
Here I am on one of the many Swan Lake Canoe Area portage trails. Like many others, this one is covered with planks to prevent travelers from sinking into the often boggy mire.
Clay and our lunch-to-be on the side of Rock Lake. Three Coho Salmon caught in the time it took me to build the fire. No need to open the packaged tuna on this trip for sure!
I guess they call this Swan Lake Canoe Area for a reason.
Another view from our Moose River campsite.
.JPG)
Jack earned the title of "Jack the Pack-Mule" as he definitely carried more than a fair share of our gear on many of the portages. When the trails closed in, we found it much easier to carry the canoes from the center rather than sharing the load and "steering" around curves from either end.
Here's Clay casting for yet another of the many Rainbow Trout he pulled from the Moose River during the two days we paddled it.
We couldn't let something like setting up our first night's campsite get in the way of another good meal, chili this time.
Heading back out across Otter Lake on Day 2 to continue our adventure.
Jack and I cruised across Swan Lake.
This fellow had obviously become conditioned to either generous or sloppy campers around the spot we stopped on the Moose River. He watched us incessantly and sat on a branch right over my shoulder as I prepared our meals.
.JPG)
The Bradleys paddling one of the more intimate upper sections of the Moose River.
I practiced some really "laid back" paddling on this section of the Moose River.
One last photo at Denise Lake before heading our separate ways.
Green River, NC Worship, Paddle, & Camp w/P4C
Mark and Matthew enjoying a day on the Green River
April 30 - May 1, 2010 OWLS and Paddlers4Christ joined up for a weekend of worship, paddling, and camping both on and near North Carolina's famous (and beautiful) Green River. I had quite a few nice photos to share with everyone but , unfortunately, my camera was lost in the river about half way through our paddle on Saturday.
Some of those arriving early on Friday had a chance to run Section 9 of the French Broad before joining the rest of us arriving at Lutheridge, our basecamp for the weekend. After a somewhat damp evening, Saturday morning we divided into two groups with about half paddling the Upper Green and the rest being led down the Lower Green by Yours Truly. I was joined by the father and son team of Mark and Matthew Woolridge, Vicki and Kimberly Simms (mother and daughter), and Matt Goodson. The river was at a perfect level and the weather couldn't have been better either. We stopped for a relaxing lunch on the sandy river bank just beyond the bridge and discussed how blessed we were . Matt celebrated his first experience paddling moving water with a dry hair day and, although Mark and Matthew had more than a few swims, at the end of the day, Matthew said he was ready to go again. Vicki found out just how easy it is to turn a Probe 11; just couldn't figure out how to make it track straight, and finished the day promising to stick with her longer Mohawk Solo 14.
Back at camp, I treated everyone to an apple cobbler/dump cake prepared over the fire in a very experienced dutch oven.
Our Sunday morning worship, led by Wayne "Wayner" Dickert, was taken from some of his seminary class notes and demonstrated the value of a Gordon-Conwell education. Afterward, we parted ways with some heading back out to do another run of FB9.
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