Kayaking - Drakes Creek

Drakes Creek                                                               10.7 miles                 806.8 Total
Avg. Speed 2.9 mph, Max Speed 7.3 mph, 3 Hours 37 minutes
Me, Scotty, Ann, Dawn
Water level at 8 feet

It was an absolutely beautiful spring day - blue skies, temps in the 70s, quickly flowing water.  There were 4 of us and we were able to paddle together and at a fairly good rate, and never did see anybody else on the river.  The water was brown as there had been rains the week before.  On this trip, I saw a quick glance of 2 otters.  One was on a little island covered in rocks.  I could hear his toenails running across the rocks before I saw his back go quickly into the water.  Another otter I saw come quickly down the bank, run behind a bush and enter into a hole in the bank.  We saw a snake go swimming from one side of the river to the other.  We paddled alongside 10 baby ducklings just peeping away.  Mama Duck had flown ahead of us acting injured - mamas do this to divert attention to themselves away from their babies.  We did get a few pictures of the babies, then paddled away to relieve Mama's fear.  The one animal that really got our hearts racing was a heron.  It landed on the branch of a large decrepit tree.  He knocked the tree into the water.  It was huge, and if it had fallen onto a person, it would have seriously injured them.

I'm adding this note after the paddle.  The only way over this log was to
'park' our kayaks and get over the log, by scooting.  I remarked that I'd
probably get poison ivy.  Guess what?  I did!

Kayaking - Red River - Found a Baby Turtle

                                                                          10.4 miles             796 total

Avg Speed 3.1 mph, Max Speed 6.7 mph, 3:23

Me, Scotty, Jim, Robin, Cameron

Kayaking - Yellow Creek and Yellow Flowers

Yellow Creek                                                                 7 miles                  785.7
Put in at 9:25, turned around at 11:20, took lunch break, then started back at 11:45, took out at 1:45
3:28 total time, 2mph average speed, 4 mph maximum speed

As I'm typing this at 3:30 the skies have opened up.  It is dark outside, windy and LOTS of rain.  We knew the rain was predicted late afternoon so we got out early today.  We drove down Lylewood Road and put in at the Cumberland.  The river was very calm and we quickly crossed over to where Yellow Creek comes in.  Just as we turned up Yellow Creek, 2 eagles flew overhead.  Cool!!  We paddled under the trestle and passed 2 fishing boats.  The water was so extremely still, we couldn't even tell if there was a current flowing.  We paddled 2 hours upstream.  Along the way, we heard lots of birds, saw some yellow flowers, I think lilies floating down stream every once in awhile.  On shore, there were many fields of yellow flowers (possibly mustard plants).  There was only one spot which could be considered a challenge - a very small challenge.  The creek got narrow and was winding, there were logs down and we had to paddle 50 feet upstream in this.  We got past it and once again, the creek was manageable, even going upstream.   We stopped at a gravel bar and had a quick snack.  Then we turned around, knowing that afternoon thunderstorms were predicted about 1 or 2.  We made it back without getting into any rain.  A delightful Sunday morning with nature!!

Kayaking - Red River

Red River                                                                      7 miles.                          778.7
86 degrees, blue skies, not humid - Beautiful Day, 12:40-2:55

After such a nice day yesterday, we decided to do it again!  As usual on a beautiful day, there were lots of people out on the river.  It was a lazy, calm paddle.  We didn't stop on shore, but enjoyed the smoothly flowing waters, the singing birds, the sun shining through the trees.  I just love kayaking!

Kayaking - Harpeth River - Gossett Track

Kayaking - Harpeth River.                                                                       7.7 miles.        771.7 total
With Sierra Middle TN Hiking Club, clean-up of the river day with Beatrix, Kevin and 7 others
Temperatures started about 55 degrees, but rose to 70/75 degrees
Gossett Track to Harris Street Bridge

Kayaking - Cumberland River

Cumberland River.                                                   7 miles.                                764
With Run a Muck Outfitters, Paddle Adventures Unlimited
Cleeces Ferry at bells Bend Park to Pelican Valley Road
Cancelled from Saturday to Sunday out 4 SUPs and about 20 boats

We were supposed to put in at 1:30, but we started about 2:30 and finished about 4:45.
Michael was the leader, and he's a laid back, but very good leader and we've learned he doesn't always start on time.  He always gives a short safety speech, which I have come to appreciate as you never know when there might be beginners in the group.   We saw a barge at the beginning.  Our kayaks look so small in comparison.  The day warmed up and there was a small wind.  This section of the river twisted so the current and wind would change directions on us.  We made a very short lunch stop.  Another great paddle and we were hungry for dinner when we finished.  We stopped in Ashland City at the Mexican Restaurant and left completely full!