We were not able to do the clean-up because the river was muddy, but it didn’t stop us from having a good paddle trip.

As planned, we met at 8:00am in Roswell’s Azalea Park. For those who don’t know, the Chattahoochee River at Azalea Park is actually a lake. Some 4.5 miles down stream of Azalea Park is Georgia Power’s Morgan Falls Dam which creates this lake, known as Bull Sluice Lake. Saturday morning the lake water was muddy brown and higher than normal due to the previous week’s rain. And because it rained most of Friday night this was no surprise. Experienced paddlers adapt to last minute changes.

We knew from experience that we wouldn’t be able to do the aluminum can clean up so we left the tools and bags in our vehicles. The high water level meant that we would be in for a faster than normal 14+ mile trip. Normally the trip from Medlock Bridge to Azalea Park would take 5-6 hours including a lunch stop but today the rock garden shoals at Jones Bridge and Island Ford would be under water.

It was a quick 5 miles to Garrard Landing (Holcomb Bridge) where we made our first stop to stretch our legs. The higher river level at the boat ramp made this a nice place to stop. The mud bar at the normal level was pleasantly underwater so we were able to paddle to a clean ramp.

At the Jones Bridge ramp we saw a couple of paddlers getting ready to go paddling. There were a few rocks visible here but the river was navigable river-wide.

Our next stop was just before Island Ford Shoals. We stopped for lunch at the big rock in the river on river left where two smaller channels split off the main river. During normal level the wide main channel is shallow and difficult. The middle section is scenic and the left channel borders residential property. Lunch was filled with joyful conversation and rehashing old memories.

Island Ford Shoals were underwater and the river was high enough for some to paddle on the right side of the islands along the roadway.

We arrived at Azalea Park around 2:00am. The 5-6 hour trip took 4-4.5 hours and ended at the North River Tavern over a late-late lunch or early dinner.

It was a good day on the river and we welcomed our newest member Bill Hansford.

It was Thursday when I decided to spend the weekend with my old friend, the Chattahoochee River. I needed some ‘alone time’ on the river and with the Bush Head Shoals 2 event coming up on June 27 & 28, this would be a good weekend to spend some time on the island and plan the event logistics.

My plan was to leave early Saturday morning and return late Sunday. It was supposed to rain both days which was good, because I also wanted it to be a tough weekend. Friday night I was working on my computer and as always, time got away from me. Before I knew it the clock showed 1:10am when I went to bed. Five hours later, drinking coffee and trying to get things in order for the trip, I decided not to complicate the weekend, but just throw some things together and go. I’d make the best out of the spur of the moment plans and not worry about what I forgot. The plan was to clean up the island and make sure that 22 people could camp there.

Taking all the gear and equipment necessary for a cleanup had been an issue in the past. The local outfitter has NuCanoes™ and I had used one on the previous trip,  towing it behind my kayak. The NuCanoe™ did the job; but leaving the island with it already loaded to the hilt meant that we didn’t have that much room for extra trash. My sister has an aluminum Grumman row boat that I considered using as a tow boat. It was light, wide flat bottom boat with a flat up sweeping bow that might work better. A hole was drilled on either side of the bow gunwale/gunnel for a two point tow rope to be attached to my kayak. This should keep it in line. Would it work was the question. The only way to find out was to try it, so it went into the pick up along with: my kayak; Stihl™ 024AV chainsaw; gas; oil; ax; small sledge; wedge; hatchet; pruners/loppers; rake; shovel; trash bags and my personal food and gear which I hadn’t even started packing. Having been on many overnight trips, food and gear was selected in less than 30 minutes.

By 2:10pm I was on my way to the local outfitter and it rained on the way, which I had expected. I was paddling downstream at 5:25pm. The Grumman worked like a charm. Of course, it started raining hard half way to the island and I arrived at 7:50pm soaking wet.

By the time I arrived, the rain had slowed to a misting rain. The tent went up immediately and all personal gear was placed inside just in case it rained hard again. The kayak was pulled onto the sand and tied to a tree trunk with the Grumman tied to it. Now it was time to get some firewood cut before dark. The Stihl™ and I went to work cutting up the dead trees that had washed up on the island. The last time we were on the island, we built our warming fire under and beside a large washed up tree. After the fire burned through the trunk one end was cut off and put on the fire. This time more of that section was cut off to be used for a chair. Cutting this section off also cleared a path, so no-one would have to climb over the trunk to move around the sandbar campsite. The fire was started even though everything was soaking wet and by the time it was going good, darkness arrived.

With everything going well and nothing to do, it was time for coffee. So here I am, sitting by the fire on my freshly made log seat, drinking coffee on an island in the middle of the Chattahoochee River. The crickets, frogs and jumping fish furnish the sound and the fireflies twinkling in the darkness are my movie. I was completely surrounded and entertained by Mother Nature and I was lost in the moment in this peaceful world I had come to love. Whatever was important -it wasn’t, for the moment. Tomorrow would be another day.

Time for some trivia. Did you know that crickets and frogs go to bed around 1:00am? Well they do! It was 1:02 and I was sitting in total silence except for the crackling fire and an occasional fish splash.

5:05am and coffee was brewing. The fire was still going because I had added logs during the night because I wouldn’t leave the campsite until 3:30pm. After coffee, I paddled the Grumman to the head of the island where there was a huge pile of washed up logs and trash. Ten 44 gallon trash bags were easily filled with trash and there is still more. With plenty of time, I decided to empty the bags out to sort and count what had been collected. Besides something required by the Rivers Alive river cleanup group; sorting the different types of trash is one of the things I can do to keep my mind busy so I am never bored. Afterwards, I decided to clean some areas for campsites when I hear what I thought was an Indian on a praying mission, but it turned out to be the local outfitter in a kayak. Some people can’t stand someone having a great time so he came to join the party. We talked for a short time but it was time to get busy.

Across from Paddle Island (the sandbar at the head of Island 2) is another island (island 1) with a small channel separating it from a lower one (island 3). The outfitter and Chris went scouting in this area on the last trip because trees blocked the entrance to the area below the islands. Well, the outfitter suggested that we start clearing the trash and trees blocking that entrance and another mission was started. The river between the island we were on and the one where we were going to clean was shallow enough to walk across . He waded across and I took the Grumman, with the chainsaw and trash bags. Many washed up trees branches and trunks were cut up and 10 more bags of trash were collected; plus a few larger trash items that were thrown in the Grumman. With the new trash and what I collected earlier, the Grumman was going to be loaded to the max.

Finally it was time to go. We had two sets of shoals to go through, Bush Head shoals and Daniels shoals, so all gear and trash was carefully packed in the Grumman. The campsite was cleaned up and given a last minute check before we left.

We came, we saw and we did. At least we were satisfied with our accomplishment. On a large scale, what we did was small; but for two people and Bush Head Islands we did well.

The trip from the 5 islands to Franklin was uneventful except for the rain. Bush Head and Daniels Shoals can both be exciting for beginners and even though the outfitter and I are experienced, it is still tricky especially if you are towing a loaded 12’ Grumman row boat. It was 5:00pm when we arrived in Franklin.

There will be another trip another time. Some of the details will change, but it will be another wonderful weekend and you are invited.

Cleanup Information.

Approx weight: 580lbs.

List of materials:

• 315 plastic bottles
• 91 glass bottles
• 19 spray cans
• 7 metal cans
• 8 aluminum cans
• 132 tennis balls
• 11 basketballs
• 8 footballs
• 2 soccer balls
• 3 softballs
• 4 baseballs
• 27 misc balls
• 16 pens / markers
• 22 cigarette lighters
• 7 snuff containers
• 1 Freon 22 20# container
• 1 Propane tank
• 31 sandals / shoes
• 3 head lights
• 2 tail lights
• 3 reflectors
• 1 plastic property line marker
• 1 x 2 gal pump up sprayer
• 1 x 5 gal gas can w/ gas
• 4 toys

One never knows how something is going to turn out, but this was a great weekend. Now, what I call a great weekend and what you call a great weekend may be different; but it is my story you are reading so I’ll give you my definition.

This was a kayaking/camping/working weekend plan to clean a campsite area on one of the five islands at Bush Head Shoals, on the Chattahoochee River. The actual trip started on a Saturday morning after getting everything ready the day before. The basic prep’ list for Friday included: filling a 2.5 gallon gas container with mixed gas; sharpening the chain saw blade; packing the chainsaw wrench; spare chainsaw bar and chain; hatchet; ax; wedge and small sledge; some food and clothing; my camping gear.

Up at 5:00am. The weather called for random thunder storms but the plan was already in motion. After meeting Martha and picking up Chris, we were on our way to breakfast before heading out to meet the outfitter at his lodge near McIntosh Reserve. We arrived at the local outfitter shortly after 9:00am and were on the river by 10:30am with a NuCanoe™ loaded with gear in tow. The outfitter couldn’t leave with us, but said he would be down shortly when he dropped us off at the boat ramp near Plant Wansley.

My Garmin GPS recorded the pleasant 7.7 mile trip to the island. When we arrived, we went to the right of the island which stands out the most, due to the huge pile of trees and trash, stopping at a small beach we found. After looking around, we found a larger beach on the other side of the island in the main river channel. Our first priority was clearing a place for our tents. Three primitive tent sites were easily chosen and all were close to where we would build the warming fire. It was cloudy but didn’t look like rain, so we went to work cleaning up trash. Next time, we’ll set our tents up before we start cleaning up.

The only item on the agenda was to clean up the island; which let everyone do their own thing because there is trash everywhere you look. I took the chainsaw and started cutting up some of the trees for firewood. These were dead trees and other flood debris, that had been washed onto the island over the years. Chris and Martha took trash bags and headed off. Sometime during all of this, Chris dug a fire pit under a large dead log which was too big to cut or move. When the sky darkened we stopped to set up our tents-but not soon enough! The rain came and it poured. I had asked Chris to do a gear review of a new tent that has an unusual type of articulated tent pole. Busy making sure the fire could fight off the rain, Chris decided that this would be a good test to see how a articulated tent pole novice deals with the setup of the new tent, by having Martha set it up for him… We finally got the tents set up and everything covered but we got soaked in the process. This is the lack of organization and spontaneity that makes life fun. Here we were, three adults, muddy and soaking wet yet smiling from ear to ear. Sometimes the little kid in us needs to go out and play in the rain. Although we were having fun when the rain stopped, Martha quickly changed into dry clothes. Guess she didn’t come from the same world Chris and I did.

Chris found a large plastic battery powered toy truck and started digging it out. I was busy and didn’t pay much attention until later, when we were talking, he called it “a trophy” and said that we needed a project trophy -that’s all it took. I grabbed a shovel and took on the mission. It was a job digging it out but Chris had done the most by getting 80% of it out. [CHRIS: Such rubbish! That thing was embedded in years of flood-lock. I may have checked to see if there was a radio to boost, or if the keys were in the ignition -but that’s it! The only way to get it out was to perhaps mention one of the magic words (impossible; can’t; don’t; maybe; trophy; Beanie Weenies™; ‘nilla puddin’;paddling) to someone… I stood there taking photo’s.] It was quite an experience and a challenge to finally get it loose and then to get it out of the hole, but the priceless pictures Chris took of Martha and I on it were worth the effort. [CHRIS: Here is a link to a short video of Richard washing his prize like a cat grooming a pigeon.

From VIDEO_Clearing_GA_Chattahoochee_River_Bush_Head_Shoals_1_20090502_Chris

There are more videos via the gallery link.]

During the rain storm someone said, “Look” -and here comes the local outfitter paddling down the middle of the river in the rain; with a NuCanoe™ in tow loaded to the hilt. He said he had four people with him but they went to shore during the thunder storm. I should call the outfitter “Santa Claus”, because he brought lots of goodies including a four legged canopy; tripod grill holder; cooler full of food; folding chairs; folding table; more food; and a new chain saw. He brought more but I couldn’t keep track of all of it. Shortly, his friends arrived. Sandy; his son and girlfriend and another friend. Tim immediately set everything up; built a cooking fire and filled the grill full of hot dogs. So much for my Beanee Weenie™ dinner. The outfitter brought potato chips, hot dogs and all the trimmings including an onion. There is nothing like a grilled hot dog with ketchup and onion.

By the time the outfitter had arrived, all the trash bags were filled with trash and there was plenty of firewood cut up for the night ahead. If you don’t know it, there is a big difference between a campfire and a warming fire. If you doubt it, anybody in the Fire Department will tell you so.

That evening we sat around and talked while Sandy’s son and friends fished. They did quite well and caught enough catfish that we could have had catfish for dinner.

Before we went to bed, the river started rising. We moved several of the kayaks and NuCanoes™ then tied them to stumps or logs.

The next morning the sky was overcast but it was going to be a nice day. The outfitter, who shall be known as “The Cook”, filled the grill this time with sausages. After breakfast Martha did some more cleaning up and I was cutting dead wood. The outfitter took his kayak and chainsaw and went between the second and third islands to where a tree had fallen and blocked the channel. We couldn’t see him but we could hear him. When he returned he was smiling and said the tree was gone.

All of the bags we brought were stuffed with trash and we had to haul them down river with us. We had done what we set out to do and it was time to go.. We all knew it was going to take a day or two to wash and clean everything we brought. The NuCanoes™ were loaded. Our gear was packed up. Five campsites had been cleared and the island looked much better and had less trash than before we arrived.

The trip from the islands down to Franklin was more exciting than the day before, thanks to the loaded NuCanoe™ and the shoals. When we arrived at the river park in Franklin, the outfitter backed the trailer down the ramp far enough for us to float the heavy NuCanoes™ into it. That was a treat.

The discussion on the drive back to the outfitter’s centered around what we had done and what we were going to do the next time.

It was a different weekend and something that was good for the heart and soul. If you want to be part of the next trip then let us know, because we’ll be doing it again June 27 & 28.

[CHRIS: A warm welcome back to Martha, whom we last saw in 2008, helping us clear the Etowah River in time for the first Etowah River-X event.]

It seemed like it would be nice to camp out overnight on an Island along the Chattahoochee River. I got out my work gloves and my camping gear. I canceled all my weekend plans and contacted Richard. We made plans to meet in Cumming Saturday AM, and to ride down with Richard and Chris. I had no idea where I was going and where Whitesburg, GA was. But I knew if Richard was part of the plan it would be an adventure.

Early Saturday morning, Richard, Chris and I had our boats and gear piled up in Richard’s truck and traveled down to Whitesburg, GA. We met up with a local outfitter who had called Richard earlier in the month to complain about how much trash was in the river on these nice islands that were an ideal place to camp. Richard and he planned this clean up trip.  The outfitter supplied us with a canoe to put Richard’s chainsaw and any other gear we needed in the boat, to tow down the river. We shuttled our gear up to the Wansley plant around 10AM. The outfitter had paddling clients to take care of and said that he would meet us at the islands later in the day.
There were only the three of us, no one else could join us at the last minute.

We paddled 7.7 miles to the Bush Head Shoals. We enjoyed a nice paddle, it was a bit over cast when we started out and the water was a bit choppy. There was a threat of rain in the forecast, but we were willing to go anyway. On the river banks there was beautiful flora and fauna, plus a few tennis balls; basket balls and plastic drink bottles trapped in the roots along the way.
Around noon time, the sun had come out as we arrived at the small islands. We stopped at the first island on the left. There was a beachy area to park our kayaks. Seeing all the trash, covering this wonderful place, I could understand why there was a need for a trash clean up. There were some piles of trash and debris, that had floated down river and got caught on these islands. It is ugly and overwhelming to look at all the trash piled up.
We got on our boots and work gloves and got right to work. In two hours we had filled 6 large trash bags of trash, mostly plastic drink bottles.
We cleared out some areas for tent sites.  Richard got out his chainsaw and started cutting up some of the large logs. (Richard loves his chainsaw). Chris got a fire going to burn the wood piles. I was so hot I really wanted to jump in that river.
Around 2:30 pm the weather started to change and we put up our tents as the rain came in. It seemed useless to run for cover since we were already wet, so much for jumping in the river. The area we cleared was nice and it was pleasant to camp along the water. Chris did such a nice job of setting up the fire that it did not go out in the rain, it kept burning most of the night. There was still a ton of trash we did not get to.
It seemed like an hour later, when the outfitter was seen paddling up the river in the pouring rain. He pulled up with his kayak, with a canoe full of gear in tow. He pulled out a portable tarp cover which we set up on the beach. He had chairs, a cooler with food and a portable cooking tripod & grill. It seemed like another 30 minutes before the outfitter’s friend Sandy showed up with three young adults, (his son and some friends).
Finally after about two to three hours, the rain started slowing, then tapered off. When the rain stopped, I went to my tent and found a puddle of water on the floor. Luckily, I did have dry clothes in a bag and I was able to sponge out most of the water. It was nice to change into dry clothes. The later arrivals set up their tents, there was plenty of room for everyone to have a small tent set up.
The outfitter cooked hot dogs, and brought some chips. The hotdogs were tasty! No Bean Weanies for Richard that night.
As we were picking up trash earlier in the day, Chris found a wooden canoe paddle in the trash heap. One of the young men, tied it to a long bamboo pole raised it like a flag and renamed the island, Paddle Island.
The young people fished off the edge of the beach, they caught a few catfish and a soft shell turtle that was stealing the bait. They let them go.
Sandy saw an armidillo on the island, it ran away and hid.
Even though all the kayaks were beached. we still had to tie them to a tree or log, the river level was rising and we wanted to make sure our boats were there in the morning.
Richard spent most of the day cutting up fallen trees, we spent most of the evening burning those logs. The fire was hot and it was a good place to dry out our wet clothes. Richard entertained up by telling war stories.
Good thing the boats were tied up. By morning, there was a channel of water running through the middle of the middle of the island and the beach where we had eaten hotdogs was covered in water.
Sunday was beautiful. We packed up our gear, loaded the trash on the canoes. We paddled 5 miles to Franklin.
It was a beautiful paddle. We saw herons nesting in some high trees; there were some painted turtles sunning themselves on the logs. I found a box turtle struggling in the water. I pulled her out and placed her on the shore. I hope her mate was not waiting on the other side of the river.
The closer we got to Franklin, the water got deeper and smoother and there were more motor boats and houses. There was a nice town park that we got out at. The outfitter shuttled us and our gear back to Richards’ truck and we headed back home.

The time and energy to go on this trip was worth it. There is still a big trash heap, but it is a start. Hopefully there will be more chances to clear up those islands, it will be an awesome place to camp.

‘Twas a great day. The river got cleaned, we had a ball and Joe and the fisherman got paid.

In preparation for the Etowah River Experience 2008 event, Richard, Doc Stephens and others, spent several days chest deep in the Etowah river, clearing out years of flood debris.

Imagine a day spent wielding a chainsaw in slippery conditions…

In honor of their efforts, I am proud to award the first of several merit badges to Richard Grove and Doc Stephens, for surviving the man-fest that led up to Etowah River-X 2008.

Congratulations to the pair of you for not maiming yourselves, or others, in the noble name of stewardship.

This trip was my first exposure to the joys of river clearing.  I’d done cleanups before, but this day, I was there to clear obstructions.  Unfortunately, I did not bring a camera so we have to rely on an open call for photo’ submissions.  Share ‘em if you’ve got ‘em!  I did take a few shots (for this site and Google Earth) of the Dawsonville County Park/put in that they built.  The best I’ve ever seen.  Great job Dawsonville!