2009 Armada dates

[Mike W.]

The 2009 release dates are available for the North Branch of the Potomac. Vote for the weekend you want to have the 2009 C-Boats Armada & Cquirt.

If it matters, the COE campground (the nice one w/ showers) opens May 1.

[PAC]

I selected April 25-26 since April 11-12 is Easter, May 10 (9-10th) is Mother's Day and May 23-25 is Memorial day (USA).
I can swing Mothers Day (just me leaving for the weekend is a gift to the wife) just not sure others can!
I already requested a drive by PS Composites prior to Cquirt - historically held the Firday prior to the Armada. However, the earlier the event the more water we will have. Great for the NPofB (and side trips) and the Aramada and not so great for the Cheat and F.Alleys for DT.
Also would ther be interest in seeing if we can get the WISP site to open early on Sunday - we'd have to ensure there were enough boaters.

Let us know what others think.

[markzak]

April 25-26, I think is the Stoneycreek Rendezvous. If not, that weekend would be perfect. I voted for 4/11-4/12.

[gumpy]

what is this like a festival? I've never paddled the nbp, what class?

[sbroam]

Kinda like a festival but a whole lot less formal or organized. The main thing is that a bunch of C-boaters get together on Saturday and paddle the NBP then go overwhelm Fox's pizza. Ancillary to that are getting together to paddle somwhere on Friday (has evolved into the C-Quirt hoe down), camp, burn firewood, consume beverages, swap lies, and maybe even paddle Sunday.

The NBP is class II+ with some nice surf spots. It's picked because it's not so hard so as to be off-putting to beginners/intermediates, it has a release schedule, and it's pretty centrally located (SC to Canada).

[the great gonzo]

I vote for April 25-26 or later.
On Easter (April 11-12) we have our WV spring trip, and this time I am taking an additional day off top go visit Jim Snyder to get a float cut on the Ceemweaver. The boat would therefore not be paddleable that weekend, as the seams will not be cured yet .
So if the Armada were to be over Easter, the Ceemweaver as well as myself would be missing .
If however it is on the 25-26th, then I will be there, as well as the chopped down Ceemweaver !!!

TGG!

[barlaz]

Any of the weekends except April 11/12 work for me. I would avoid Memorial Day weekend just because of the traffic

[KNeal]

Cast my vote for April 25-26. Don't know if I can go to any of them, but that would be the best one.

what is this like a festival? I've never paddled the nbp, what class?

Search for armada, or spring armada, results and you should find a LOT of posts about that weekend. Basically, what Scott B. said is on the mark.

KNeal

[sbroam]

I voted for 4/11-12 because that is the only one I can make without letting the kids down on other commitments. Also, for some reason my company gives us Good Friday off, though none of the local schools are out...

[the great gonzo]

Does anyone know what the opions for camping are in April? When does the campground at Randolph Jennings Lake open?

TGG!

[sbroam]

I think that is the one that opens May 1. I'm thinking the remaining camping option is along the Savage where we camped the first couple of times. First time it was free, now I think there is a fee but can't remember if they added any facilities - I know there wasn't a shower, but I was thinking they might have added toilets.

[PAC]

On camping there are some locations but they are a bit more of a drive....
Big Run, Savage River State Forest, New Germany State Park, Swallow Falls SP, etc.


Martin - let me know what the plans are for your easter trip. You're welcome to swing by the shack - always room for carzy Canadians.
40 minutes from Jimi's and 50 from the UY, BS and Cheat. You know the directions! Amount of snow will impact what I'm up to but.... I've been known to be a sinner and pagan on Easter weekend (Drakes, IC, Mill Run, Jacobs, etc.).

Paul C.

[the great gonzo]

Paul, thanks for the offer, there will most likely be some sort of canadian boater invasion over Easter. It would be grea if you could join us for a run or two!
I'll keep you in the loop once I know more.

About the Armada camping, those options sound reasonable.

TGG!

[jarmiste]

Would love to come...never been. We've got graduation on May 9, gotta work. Any other date is good. My son has a C1 and I paddle OC1. My wife has a keewee, but she is really good looking.

[KNeal]

You might as well take my name off the roster for this spring due to a stupid skiing incident. Please note that I did not say ski accident. Came to the bottom of a black diamond run with too much speed for the 90-degree turn into the lift line. Tried to kill my speed and pitoned my right ski into the lift line divider. Ski, boot, foot, lower leg, knee, upper leg all got locked into place and everything else kept going forward. Gave the knee a rather nice tweak.

sprained medial collateral ligament
swelling in the fibers of the medial meniscus (but intact)
fissure/tear in the cartilage of the patellar medial facet (inside face of the patella-the part facing the knee joint)

I consider myself lucky considering how bad it could have been since the binding never popped (thanks to requesting tight bindings for aggressive skiing ).

I have submitted my application for the "old fart-bad knee" club. Oh, wait! I already have my TOG sticker! LOL

Neal (KNeal)