Kayaking - 9/4 - Harpeth River - Gray Skies Won't Stop Us

Harpeth River - Gray Skies Won't Stop Us                                  11 miles                                                                            

Me, Scotty, Sharon, Highway 70 Bridge to Harris Street Bridge, 3.9mph avg speed, 10.5 mph max speed,  3:26 elapsed time

No rain was predicted today, but the skies were cloudy and gray all day long.  The temperature started out at 78 degrees when we started out and it was 78 degrees on the ride home.  So it was really an enjoyable day.  We passed very few kayakers on the river.  Towards the end, we passed a group of kayakers and one guy asked Scotty if he knew much about snakes.  The guy was RIGHT UP against 2 mating snakes in the water watching them.  Somehow, I think if you have to ask somebody about snakes, you should NOT get right up against them.  We meet interesting people along the river.  We passed a paddle sticking up in the river in the midst of some tree branches.  It took some strong paddling against the current, but Scotty was able to paddle back and pull it out of the tree branches. Today, Sharon from Paddling Buds joined us so we had enjoyable conversation along the way.  We stopped at my all time favorite lunch spot - a hidden creek that feeds into the Harpeth River. Today I walked the farthest back ever.  I would have walked farther, but the creek bottom became one solid rock - a bit slippery, and I wasn't sure that Sharon would have wanted to take the time.  We'll save it for another adventure.  We were able to easily paddle up to the waterfall today because of the river height. Getting out of the river was more of a challenge today as the river bank was MUDDY and SLIPPERY.  The steps getting into the river were also muddy.  We shuttled back to the start, wearing our face masks - the new reality of Covid-19.  While there, I talked with the ranger.  She was painting lines on the parking lot preparing for the holiday weekend.  Apparently, it gets crazy now during these times and it makes me appreciate even more the fact that we can go during the week!

Look how much the water had dropped since Wednesday.

The steps at the Harris Street Bridge were caked in mud.  When I mentioned it to the 
park ranger, she immediately texted somebody to come shovel it off.  The rangers
here are always very nice and they work hard!

The water was muddy today and the skies were gray, 
but I'd still rather be here!

Can you find the heron?

The Paddle Rescue

Below are pictures of our favorite lunch spot.  A brown bag lunch here beats any restaurant!

Paddling up to our 'lunch spot'.

A window into our lunchtime restaurant.

Sharon

I've seen this guy on the river before.

See!  I can take a selfie.

If you don't know much about snakes - duh, stay away!

Shuttling during Covid times!