We started today’s adventure at Windy’s Outfitters. After loading up the boats, we drove to our put-in at Alley Spring Mill. The river entrance there is narrow and runs alongside a gravel bar, so we launched one by one, easing into the water. It was overcast at first, but as the day went on, the sun gradually broke through.
The river was absolutely beautiful—winding gently through tree-lined hills, with occasional towering cliffs rising above us. Some of those cliffs had large caverns, which made me wonder if people might have once taken shelter in them long ago.
At several points, we had to space out because the current would pull us toward the bank. We all felt a little victorious after navigating each tricky stretch. But then came the moment—we had our only flip of the day. Barney capsized while maneuvering through a narrow section near a log, and unfortunately, he lost his prescription glasses in the process.
Thankfully, the paddling crew jumped into action. They pulled his boat to shore, and from there, Barney followed Scotty, whose bright orange kayak made a great guide, while his son Josh stayed beside him, giving directions.
Though the section from Alley Spring to Eminence Ballpark is only about 3 miles, we ended up paddling around 7 miles in total. It was a successful and satisfying trek. And of course, since we finished in Eminence, a stop at the Dairy Shack for a snack was a must.
Back at our trailer, Scotty and I heated up some homemade pasta and a seafood medley from Aldi’s. It made for a delicious dinner—especially eaten under the tarp while torrents of rain poured down around us. The rain had started right at 2:30, just as we got off the river, and as I write this at 9:00 p.m., it’s still coming down hard. There are streams of water running down the road outside, and we’re feeling pretty grateful to be warm and dry inside tonight.
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