Arkansas Canoe Club Forums

[b]Yet another great trip to the Ocoee[/b].

This trip to the Ocoee was quiet a bit different from my first there, in that I have a bit more experience and more drama this round.
Let’s start with the great things, always better to start sweet.
First, the high light of this trip for me was the ability to lead myself down the river without a guided tour. Thanks to Scott, Jason and Dru for the many lessons on how to read water and how to slow down the process of running a river. Even with this great instruction it was a bit scary and the lines were not nearly as pretty and nor were they in anyway traditional, more like survivor able.
Second, well this was running down river with AK; I had a great time watching as she attempted to repeat my poor leadership through “Broken Nose” (can’t believe she would even talk to me after that). Then I think she attempted to get back at me by me following her lines through “Table Saw”, were we attempted to catch eddies’ on the way down the rapid. We laughed through the whole thing and what high spirits we had with it all. We ran “Double Trouble” some billion times taking turns filming each others run, which AK swears that I am camera shy, because every time it was on me I would enter the wave, power shade then float off( it is more likely that is because I “SUCK”) but thanks any ways for the words of encouragement.
Third, AK, Dru, Scott and I then ran the Olympic section were they stuck every line even through “Roach Motel”, were as I on the other hand had a bit more trouble (go figure).
Fourth, Monica…. talk about funny, she has to be one of the most hilarious people that I have ever met. Monica thanks to God did not punch me out after I assisted her in turning her boat around on the river.
DRAMA…
We then spent our last night from hell back at camp (Jason and Sabrina were smart they went to a hotel). I won’t say much other than that I will never camp at the same place again, but if you are into drinking till 5:30am and want to tell of your sexual exploits with all your buddies then this spot may be for you (good luck). Poor Zacks’ parents had to stay up late and hear all if this and still thought the trip was worth it all.
Like I said from the beginning this was a GREAT TRIP!!!!! Thanks to all that were there for a good time yet again.
James

Where did you guys camp that last night so the rest of us can avoid it.

Adventures Unlimited. It used to be great - it was convenient and you could drink beer and have fun, but people tended to tone things down after about midnight. But this past weekend, there was a large fraternity group camped across from us and they kept us up all night.

MEOWza!!! Geez AK, what did you do??

sounds to me like you have a smitten kitten on your hands


sounds like fun times!!

I was also able to make my first ocoee trip. I just had to run and go was on a short time leash as I had family issues to deal with, but I did get to see a few arkie boaters along the way(aka the take out). But, I did have great time. Maybe i will see some of you this weekend.

Yeah great trip everyone!!

Many thanks for the experienced guides, Drues and Scott to take me safely down the olympic section of the Ocoee....it was quite rush!!

James I like your creative ability to not mention my swims through broken nose and tablesaw.... I like to pretend it was the 2 hour sleep factor from the previous night

Monica I couldnt have made it out there without you.....not to mention our gut busting laughing fits on the the way back....it was a blast!

AK

Sure was great to see everybody. I really like the opportunity to paddle with my home crowd. I had a time showing what line not to run on Double Suck. My first time to encounter the hole up close . I'll just have to keep practicing my intended line until I get it right. I missed not getting to camp with everyone but was forewarned of the keg party and knew I couldn't handle the excitement. Maybe next time things will work out, cause that's one of the best parts is being able to fellowship. Until next time .

Yes, it was fun times indeed - even with all the chaos (aka drama ) As AK said, it's the chaos and all that makes for some funny stories later. Some miscommunications (primarily between my husband and I - imagine that :roll: ) led to driving up and down river looking for folks and waiting around at putins and takeouts. Typically, I am pretty organized when it comes to shuttle and planning, but Sunday at the Ocoee was a free for all Anyway, Monica, as always keeps us very entertained with her funny stories and adventures on the road - still wondering about Boss Hogg on the side of Hwy 72 in Mississippi

Druse - we will plan to camp with you all next time! I didn't know the fraternity was planning to have a 4-keg party at AU till 5am. We certainly didn't get any sleep. Thanks for waiting for us for over an hour Sunday. Sorry we were being slow - probably lack of sleep.

Richard - sorry we missed you. Wish I knew you were coming out so we could have paddled with you.

Smitten, well yes but it is only out of the respect and admiration I have for these guy's, after all I have learned so much from them... Scott and Jason have been the greatest mentors’ for such a challenged student such as myself. Dru, well he has shown me the coolest lines on the river and all the while making them seem like anyone could paddle them. So I guise that you could say that I am smitten, heck when you get to hang out with the stars of any sport you should be... OH, you said AK...

Well, it sounds like we made a good choice to go to Thunder Rock (good call Druse) . I was looking forward to having a large group to camp with, but I am glad we missed the kegger till 5:30am (every night). For the most part it was very quite by 11pm where we were.

As far as the paddling went, the kayaking was great. I was able to make a run on tge middle and the upper and had a blast on both.

Kudos to all that jumped in the raft with me on the middle Ocoee. The middle Ocoee in a raft is a bit tougher than I thought it would be though. I would have to say Broken Nose and Double Suck were the toughest, both are hard to line up for. Gonzo and Hiawasse shoals were both tougher to negotiate than I would have thought. I did get Joanna to run with me twice, and I think she had a blast (well 1 and a 1/4 runs anyway). She says she will do it again, at least. Zach's parents Bill and Joyce were troopers and jumped right back in after I dumped them in Stupid hole ( I think that is what Kaylan called it) at the end of Gonzo shoals. The rest of the run went well after Zach jumped in. I have a pretty good idea of the raft lines now at least.

All in all a great weekend with a great group, great to see and paddle with everyone.

Cheers, Terry