RX: Saturdays in July on Kibler Section, Dan River
| River: | Dan |
| Skill: | Novice+ |
| Trip Date: | 07/12/2014 |
Post Week of River Blues? OR maybe a wee bit of exhaustion? The Doctor ordered up a presciption of smiles on the Kibler Section. Filled today!
Dan River: Kibler Valley Power Plant to..”the church” steeple…
Beautiful summer day – perfect weather…7500 cfs being released — buddies from Carolina Canoe Club and Smith River Valley Canoe Club — the kind of buddies who will lend your group a spray skirt when someone forgets theirs. Gosh I love this little scenic stretch of river in July after the craziness of Week of Rivers. Newer paddlers in the Triangle, Triad or just a little West – pay attention cause this one releases on Saturdays in July and is the perfect prescription to combat withdrawal symptoms after a great Week of Rivers. You can day trip this one and get home in time for dinner.
The first mile can be a little tricky (can be class 2+ ish at times) but after the first bridge (where you can put in if you have a few jitters) then it’s a fun gently moving solid easy 2 run all the way down. Breathe and enjoy with people like….
· Jack, the smiling Conrad looking very Sweet in Blue helmet and neon orange Stinger on loan from Get Outdoors leading out in front. That’s Jack for you – always giving back Jack. OKAY everyone, Jack is in training to win that Ruritan Race on July 26, 2014. Anyone passes up Jack and they have ME to answer to!
· Joanie Lambert and friends who have that “Jack Conrad always smiling thing” going on.
· Stern Squirting wild man Vince Davis.
· Willy Young, in smiles too! (Yes, that’s right, the Kibler Magic gets smiles on everyone’s faces!)
· Thanks to Greta who did a sweetly smiling impersonation of Evan Garcia today (it that is possible!)
· And thanks to the ever calm Stephen Gause who, many years ago – 5 to be exact – pulled me out of more than one river after a swim. Not today though.
· We were joined by Stephen’s smiling apple-cheeked teen daughter too. Like Father Like Daughter. So wonderful.
Perfect day. New and Old friends. Only thing that would have made it more perfect would have been to see always cheerful Bobby Coombs, Suzanne Wantland, Donna and Greg Murphy…alas they were busy slaying other dragons with their smiles today. .
Me, my smiles are so wide, my cheeks hurt and yes, I recommend Kibler section of the Dan with Two Great Big Thumbs Up! Check it out Saturdays in July, it may be just what the doctor ordered!