Kayaking - Harpeth River

Harpeth River, 6/15/13                                      Miles Travled 9.6, Total 77.7
w/ Aquaholics, Julie, Scotty, Dick and Paul, Trish, Ann, Allie
Put in at Hidden Lake, Take Out 249 bridge, 9:00 -12:40, 2.1mph

This was a wonderful day with a great group of people - only 7 total.  The river had a nice flow, there were a few rocks sticking out.  We had a 40 minute lunch break and saw lots of big fish, possibly carp or catfish.  We saw a large bird with a white tail and a white head, we think it was a bald eagle!

Kayaking - Red River

Red River 6/1/13                         Miles Traveled 8, Total 68.1
Scott, Beatrix & 55 others with Paddle Adventures Unlimited and Red River Valley Outfitters
Put in at Adams to Port Royal, 10-12:30, 2.5 mph

It rained like crazy driving there and waiting for the shuttle bus to the starting point.  There wasn't any rain during the whole paddle.  Stream cleanup along the way.  Barbecue lunch was provided at the finish.  Finished eating and it started raining again; and it rained all afternoon!

Kayaking - West Fork River w/ Ethan

West Fork River 5/27/13                        Miles Traveled 10 miles, Total 60.1
Barkers Mill to Billy Dunlop
Julie & Ethan, 11:30-2:00, Average Speed 3.82 mph, Sunny 75degrees

We looked down the steep embankment under the bridge in dismay.  It was very steep here, had many rocks and lots of brush.  We weren't sure why Blueway Adventures was advertising this route.  I saw a woman out in her yard.  Her property was right there by the bridge and I went to talk with her.  Her name was Victoria and she was very nice and friendly, but obviously perturbed by Blueway Adventures Group.  Apparently they are dropping people off here taking them down the bank and she didn't feel it was safe.  She said she's seen many people overturn their boats right from the start.  She was very gracious to us and allowed Scotty to drive the truck down her property to drop off our boats.   She said the property here had been in her family for hundreds of years.  The old mill wheel was there in her yard.  There was a pretty red building which she said had once been a general store.  She told us she appreciated us asking to let in.  She was going to be contacting a lawyer the next day about Blueway Adventures.  It will be interesting to see how that relationship continues.

Very soon after we had put into the water, Ethan knocked his water bottle into the water.  I was behind him and said I'd get it.  I started to turn my boat and knocked MY water bottle into the water.  Ethan had also started to paddle back and rescued both.  Thank goodness, it would have been a long trip without water.  We learned NOT to put our water bottles up on the dashboard anymore.  It was a wonderful day of paddling.  It was fun to see all of the sitting areas that homeowners had arranged overlooking the river.

Kayaking - West Fork River

West Fork River 5/18/13                                Miles Traveled 12.6, Total 50.1
9:30-2:30, Average Speed 2.4 mph
Julie, Ethan, Beatrix, Dick
West Fork River to Red River to Cumberland River
Put in at Billy Dunlop, Take out at McGregor Park Ramp
75-80 degrees, Sunny, Nice!!

The first 5 miles or so had a nice current.  About the 5th mile, the current was very slow.  About the 5th mile down, we encountered a HUGE strainer.  It was completely blocking the river and the banks were so steep and muddy that we couldn't even portage our boats, let alone climb up the banks.  For awhile, it was quite funny.  We paddled around in circles wondering what to do.  Ethan went to the left of the strainer and Dick went to the right.  Finally, Ethan started pulling out logs, sticks and debris andwas able to make a small path.  It was a nice day, but not nice enough when he fell into the water!  He was able to pull our kayaks over a submerged log.  He was the HERO of the day.  We were here about 45 minutes.  We paddled parallel to the Clarksville Greenway.  The current in the Red River was very slow and the last 3/4 mile we had to paddle up the Cumberland River.  Ethan and Beatrix were tall enough that they were able to stand up and get out on the McGregor floating dock.  It was not such a pretty picture when Dick and I pulled ourselves up belly first onto the dock.  It was a great day!

Kayaking - Yellow Creek 1/12/13

January 12, 2013                       Miles Traveled 3 miles, Total 4
Yellow Creek
70 degrees, Cloudy, Calm, 2 hours and 5 minutes

Once again, the day warmed up and we excitedly got our kayaks down from the garage.  We've had them almost two months and only used them once in a very small lake.  We decided to try a river today.  After a bit of driving we found an access point into the Cumberland River off of Lylewood Road.  There was an eerie fog on the Cumberland.  The river here is very wide.  We heard a motor boat coming and had to paddle quickly to get across.  We went up Yellow Creek.  Apparently the warm weather lured many others out, as we saw a lot of fishermen.  We paddled upstream against the current for an hour and 15 minutes.  It took us only 50 minutes to get back.  We saw lots of evidence of river otters along the bank.  This was a nice paddle and very convenient to home.  This can be an easy paddle after church if we have the afternoon free.  At the end of our paddle, it started to rain as we were loading the kayaks.  We also realized that we need to get sponges for the yaks!

Kayaking - Kyle Lake 12/23/12

December 23, 2012                            Miles Traveled - 1 mile
1st Trip at Kyle Lake
50%, Sunny, Calm

We bought our kayaks the day after Thanksgiving.  They've been hanging in the garage taunting us every time we drive in.   So the weather warmed up, the sun came out and the kayaks came down and went out into Kyle Lake.
Of course, we do not have winter gear so we had to improvise.  We layered some clothing.  But, the most innovative clothing we wore were our boots.  We wrapped trash bags around our feet and taped them on with duct tape.  Scotty wore his crocs over his duct tape boots and I wore Rachel's boots.
Success!   Our feet stayed dry until we stepped out of our yaks at the end and promptly tore our boots. 
The kayaks were very easy to paddle and it was an enjoyable trek around the small lake.

No need to buy fancy, shmancy, expensive water shoes for a paddle around Kyle Lake!

I think he likes his first paddle!

They come in men's styles also.

My first paddle and I know I like it!

The Beginning