Cape Fear River, NC Nov 1-11

[Johnny Swank]

Thought some of you might be interested in this.

Last summer my ladyfriend and I paddled the Mississippi River in conjunction with the Audubon Society http://www.sourcetosea.net. That went over really well (NPR, other media, etc), so I'm doing something similar starting next week on the Cape Fear River . http://sourcetosea.net/CapeFear/overview.html

I'll be starting on November 1 at Jordan Lake and paddling to the coast. It's about 200 miles, and should take about 10 days. Along the way I'll be doing water quality testing, and I'm, working with several middle school classes on hydrology, H2O quality, watersheds, etc. I'll be answering the kid's emails during the trip and doing a series of slideshows throughout the winter.

There's scads of photos, journals, book excerpts, blogs, and gear/equipment stuff on the website if you're into that sort of thing. Even managed to get a gear list up ahead of time. http://sourcetosea.net/CapeFear/gear/list.html

If anyone knows any teachers that would like to involved, have them shoot me an email at [email protected].

Here's a map of the route. I'll be adding info as I go along.

You can follow along at http://sourcetosea.net/CapeFear/Map/capefear.html

 

[hairymick]

Good Luck John,

I will be following this trip with interest. Looking forward to lots of piccies

 

[Kayak Jack]

John,

I forwarded your message to Ms. Jo Preston. She is the principal at Marble Elementary School in East Lansing MI where my Granddaughter Katie is in kindergarten. Don't know if she'll bite or not.

 

[Johnny Swank]

Teachers

I'm hot for teachers.. :wink:


But really, that's great. I'll keep my eyes out for her.

 

[Johnny Swank]

Just a quick note. I'm back and am currently wading through a bunch of photos, journal, and smelly gear. I'll post back once things are a bit more in order on the website.

I was able to do a bunch of audioblogs from the river though. You can hear them here.
http://sourcetosea.net/CapeFear/audio/audio.html

 

[Johnny Swank]

Photos up

Photos now up for the most part. Still playing with a few from the first day but will have those up by Tuesday. Got a few photos of the Marine S.E.R.C boats for you guys. I've also got a recording of them taking over Lock#2 with all hell breaking loose. I'll put that up as soon as I convert my microcassettes to MP3's.

The photos are at http://sourcetosea.net/CapeFear/Photos/ ... hotos.html

Transcribing journals and waiting for my water quality folks to give me the word on the test results. Should have that together in the next week.

Still available to talk/email with any school classes that are interested. I'm also scheduling slideshows for the early spring for civic, scout, environmental, or whatever other group is into this sort of thing.

 

[Kayak Jack]

Looks interesting, John. You soloed on this trip?

 

[Johnny Swank]

Ten Things I (re)learned on the Cape Fear River

1) Round things roll. Round drybags roll downhill really well. Fishing drybags out of the river with a paddle first thing in the morning is no fun.
2) Portaging sort of sucks. It builds character though, I guess.
3) Portage wheels and carts are cool. I don't have a portage cart.
4) Feet are happier if warm.
5) So are hands.
6) Its good to just sit in the sun sometimes.
7) Canoes are easier to load and unload, but a kayak is better in the wind.
8. Pogies work better if not frozen solid.
9) I really, really hate when my tape recorder dies.
10) I'd spend the rest of my life doing these trips if I could.

More ramblings like this at http://sourcetosea.net/Blog/Wanderings.html

 

[Kayak Jack]

Nawww - portaging doesn't build character - it REVEALS it. That's why I come off so poor at it.

 

[hairymick]

Portaging? Portaging: :shock: :shock:

There's that feeeelthy word again.

When'r you guys gonna learn ? Boats are made for carrying you. Not T' other way round.

If I gotta carry my boat I bloody don't go there. :lol: :lol: :lol: