Escapes

Journey ends

2009-05-03T21:52:19Z

The journey of 183 miles and sixteen days down the Shenandoah River has ended. John and I pulled into the Potomac Wayside on Saturday evening. We decided to make the final day on Saturday after learning that it would be raining on Sunday. Having spent half of this journey in the rain, I preferred my last day on the river to get wet only by the river and not by clouds.

The last stretch of the Shenandoah and on the Potomac River have some great rapids. One of the most challenging rapids - known as Bull Falls - is one of the first on the Shenandoah you encounter. We made it through with waves crashing over us and filling the canoe, but we kept going. Right at the end, a final wave took the canoe and rolled it over. As we floated out of the rapids, we get to a point where we can stand up. We pulled the canoe on to a rock and rolled it on its side to empty out the water. It was a great ride even with the canoe flipping and I would like to try that again at another time.

We countinue on down and go through other big rapids and take on lots of water with needed bailing afterwards to avoid swamping. The Shenandoah meets the Potomac and with some more rapids, crashing waves, bailing water, we finally reach our take out at the Potomac Wayside.

It has been a great journey and I have had the unique privilege to see the Shenandoah River and Valley. I hope that we can work together as citizens, businesses, local, state, and federal governments to clean up our rivers, valleys and have responsible development as we plan for the future. We need to protect and preserve this beautiful place called Shenandoah.

Strasburg

2009-04-27T02:46:20Z

The Strasburg stretch of this journey was completed with sunny weather, turning cloudy in the afternoon which makes the lighting better for what I do.

Many people were out today to enjoy the weather by spending a day at the river. But I was still able to find an osprey near Strasburg.

Seven Bends

2009-04-26T11:25:28Z

I am about to begin Day 9. The last couple of days going through the Seven Bends area has been good weather and great wildlife. It has been physically challenging as well.

From Woodstock to Strasburg there are ten low water bridges and two dams to portage around over this section of 50 miles and three days of travel. It has been worth every moment to experience what very few have or know about.

On down the river I go.

Shenandoah River

2009-04-24T01:16:23Z

My journey down the Shenandoah River is a great float and walk through nature. The weather has been challenging at times but it has all ways been worth it. After seven days of following the river, the sun will be shining as I prepare for the next leg of the journey the Seven Bends.

It will take me three days to float my way through to Strasburg. I know that I will enjoy the moments that I will discover with nature while on this great river.

Taking care of what we have needs to be a important issue for all of us. And for those of us here in the Shenandoah Valley, we have something here worth taking care of.