It began several months ago with a phone call from Todd Hobbs, Scoutmaster of Troop 735 in Dallas, Georgia, who was looking for a 3 or 4 day kayak trip down the Etowah River for a small group of Boy Scouts plus several adults.Several months later the plan was to meet at 10:30am Thursday, July 8, 2010, at The Outside World on GA400 . From there it was a 3 mile drive to the Hwy 53 Bridge where the group would start their downriver journey. During their 4 day, 3 nights event, they would paddle 65 miles through Dawson, Forsyth and Cherokee Counties to the Knox Road Bridge Park at the backwaters of Lake Allatoona, for their take-out location on Sunday.

Never knowing how a trip will go, this one couldn’t have gone much better.

• Starting Put-in GPS: N34-22-910, W084-03-812
• Starting time: 11:35am Thursday, July 8, 2010

Starting at Hwy 53 it is always amusing to watch everyone packing their gear into the kayaks for the first time, but they did it like pros. Then they dragged the kayaks down the bank to the river and climbed in. The river was a little murky from the rains and up a couple inches from the normal flow, which would help us out. What you need to know is that natural, small rivers like the Etowah, are full of rocks of all sizes, tree stumps and trees. Trees totally blocking the channel had been mysteriously removed by a good Samaritan, but the other things would be interesting obstacles for them to paddle over, around, or under. A few times, they would cause an unscheduled swim and a laugh from the others or just plain fun. Paddling (kayaking) is a water sport, so getting wet is just one of the things that happens and there were several unscheduled swims. Who was first, who was last and who swam the most will remain a Boy Scout secret.

I’ll add the link to the second communal album if the first fills up…

ADMIN: The details of this trip may change at any time in the near future!

This is an overnight wilderness canoe/kayak camping trip where you will have the opportunity to share some of Dawson County’s rarely seen riverine beauty with your fellow paddlers. No paddling or camping experience necessary (but they are helpful).

Here is your chance to experience a real river trip and have a great weekend outdoors!

Note: This trip will be limited to the first 25 confirmed paddlers.

This was a 3 day, 3 night, self-sufficient kayak camping trip from the Lake Weiss Diversionary Dam to Sam Davis’ backyard in Gadsden, Alabama. Paddlers on the trip were: Larry Johnson, Chris, Sam Davis and Richard Grove.

The trip started on Monday, July 20, 2009 at the Diversionary Dam Park located on the southwest side of the the dam. It has a large parking lot and a locked gate blocking the road down to the put-in. Although we made several trips to get our gear and kayak to the river, I don’t think anyone measured the distance. After the lengthy walk to the ramp, the slope and length of the ramp become the final interesting part of this portage. The gravel road to the ramp is quite visible even though the weeds were getting tall. The ramp is concrete and you’ll need good legs and a strong back to get your gear there.

Chris’s pictures are below:

Once we got to our campsite we paddled upriver to get a closer look of dam and take pictures. . This was play time and everyone wanted to spend more time on the water. Water flow is cut off by the dam so there is no current and the water is shallow and stagnant for the first several miles. At night we sat around the campfire and talked until dark while the mosquitoes feasted on our bodies. My recommendation would be to take plenty of good insect repellent.

The word trip, does not do justice to the extended paddle/camp sessions that Richard strives to enable.

The River-X paddle/camp trips focus on sharing a unique sense of place.  This river section, at this time of the day, on this particular day of the year -the genius loci, or ‘soul of the place’…  The same route, at any other time, will hopefully be different.

To the individuals who are open to listening for the quiet spoken dialects of these opportunities, the simple rewards of these organic paddle sessions will recharge your love of paddling and heighten your appreciation for the unique character of a regional river environment.

While paddling trips are gregarious as far as social groups go, the River-X trips are not intended to template ‘the last time we did this’ weekend paddle-club floats. There’s nothing refreshing about that! If you don’t care where you paddle and all the rivers look the same to you, you’re still welcome to join us -as long as you don’t negatively impact the experiences of your fellow paddlers. There are excellent reasons that some of us, myself included, do not paddle the Ho-Hum River; Booze-Cruise Creek; or anything else in that river basin! Surely the rivers are long enough for all of us?

All too often, we as consumers, are conditioned to trust in a predictable level of conformity in the habits of our daily lives. Not too hot; not too cold; not too big; not too small… We are groomed to expect an almost homogeneous texture to the pattern of the day.  Every hot-dog; theme park; national holiday; paddling trip much like the one before.

Now, life outside the comforts of home is not for everyone, granted. Even folks who consider themselves ‘outdoorsy’ may have a strikingly small range in their comfort zone. They routinely filter the opportunities around them through the fine mesh of their definition of civility.  They will attend an event (and possibly participate to some degree), if their list of needs and amenities are fulfilled.  Coolers filled with ice-chilled drinks; valet, concierge and portage services; happy hour; coffee breaks; a hot meal and a dry bed etc.  All have their time and place, but not this time and not this place…at least not on River-X!

On the River-X trips, we’ll probably try to do things a little differently than the usual.  We may paddle later; get up earlier; paddle slower/faster than we did the day the before.  For very early morning put ins (pre-dawn), we may ask for the first 2 hours of paddling to be in silence and more of a float through the mist than a paddle, before stopping for breakfast along the way. If you can’t function without your morning cup of coffee then these experiences (River-X trips) are not for you. It’s a group paddle and we can’t let you sleep in to catch up with the group later!  It goes against the grain of the group vibe amongst other reasons…

From Paddle_SC_Lake_Keowee_20080713

The River-X trips are filled with opportunities for solitude and reflection, even as you enjoy the company of like-minded paddlers in as honest and uncluttered a setting as we can provide. You are an important part of that group setting, so it is very important that we streamline expectations. Solitude is not a dirty word! Yes, you can find a moment for yourself on a well managed group paddle!  It’s a question of timing… Please share with Richard your hopes/expectations of the trip.  Having friends meet you along the way for a semi-private lunch does not meet Richard’s group vibe expectations, but arranging for a local BBQ joint to strut their stuff might.

The amenities available will vary by trip. The trip promotes kayak camping.  You will typically be required to pack and paddle all of your gear and supplies for the entire trip in your kayak. Chem-toilet facilities will be provided as per local ordinances, at specific campsites.  Check with Richard for details relevant to the event you’re interested in.

The participation of local communities is always encouraged.  I don’t think that Richard had the terms ‘eco-tourism’ and more relevantly ‘geo-tourism’, in mind when he started clearing paddling trails to better share the changing character of various river sections.

Geotourism is defined as tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place—its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents.

Geotourism incorporates the concept of sustainable tourism—that destinations should remain unspoiled for future generations—while allowing for ways to protect a place’s character. Geotourism also takes a principle from its ecotourism cousin,—that tourism revenue should promote conservation—and extends it to culture and history as well, that is, all distinctive assets of a place.

-National Geographic, Center For Sustainable Destinations.

While the effect of revaluation/re-characterization of natural resources on local strategic planning and development does play a part in developing the paddle trails, Richard leaves governance issues to the professionals. Richard sees himself as a paddler that is willing to work towards a sustainable goal.  If you have a suggestion for a particular trip, please contact Richard to discuss the details.

With so many things to experience on and around the river, it becomes difficult to not muddy the waters with too many perspectives.

River-X trips are more about the paddling than anything else.

No doubt the historical; ecological; political; and sociological points of interest are relevant and important, but unless specifically contracted to arrange a trip catering to a specific audience, the trip will be about paddling.  We don’t mean to diminish a particular perspective, but to maintain focus on keeping distractions to a minimum.  These trips are not usually grant-funded and do not have a particular agenda to support (besides promoting paddling and the development of Paddling Trails). We do not have multiple grant requirements to meet, so you won’t ever sign up for an ecology field trip disguised as a history lesson wrapped in a car-camping candy shell -unless that was what was contracted and advertised!

The River-X paddle/camp trips highlight the best of what our regional rivers have to offer. Some of the best paddling out there is not ranked by pool-side umbrella drinks; magazine cover white-water drops; ease of accessibility etc.  The best non-competitive, leisure paddling refreshes the reasons you paddle! It opens up your senses to new perspectives on familiar behaviors. Richard hopes to share these and many other experiences with you along the way.

Our list of the River-X series of paddle/camp kayak trips.