C-Forum

Well, it was a really nice weekend for a gathering back on the NB Potomac this past Saturday. The c-1 crowd was small this year with Paul (PAC), Rock n' Ron (2 butt boating friends of PAC), me, and J Kelly-Rand catching up with us at Lunch Stop in a slalom c-2 . The weather was sunny and warm while the water was FRIGID ! Paul and I paddled our decked Vipers and proceeded to see who could catch the best stern squirts and pop off a couple of enders . I even managed to throw a couple of ends in mine at one point . Paul and I were about the only boaters playing in Lunch Stop (and we had 11 foot boats!). Lots of cool moves and attempts at blasting the hole. I think I succeeded one time in blasting the hole and even got a flat spin out of the deal (though Paul broke it down for me later as me front surfing, then side surfing, then back surfing, to an off-side surf, back to the front surf/blast). Personally, I really felt like that boat SPUN . J Kelly-Rand paddled stern with a converted kyacker buddy of his in the bow (Jim converted the guy that morning ! Way to go, Jim!). They did well together, as in no flips, rock strikes, or poorly executed moves. They looked very good in that "Arguemax".

We took out and zipped on over to Fox's Pizza for our annual raid on their weekly food supplies, sans Jim and his buddy. Since our crowd was significantly smaller this time, the lady (owner's wife) only panicked a little--until I told her the rest was showing up in late May! I kid you not, she pulled out her calendar to see if they were going to be closed but, alas, they were going to be open that weekend. At least they are now forewarned.

After that, all of us zipped over to the Stoney Fest (that's about an hour and fifteen minutes of following Paul through ALL kinds of back country roads because they were a "short cut" ). We camped the night at the fest, woke up, hunted for about an hour-and-a-half to find a specific restaurant around Johnstown so we could have breakfast and raised ruckus with the cute lil' waitress that had the consequence of serving us and listening to us debate loudly the current political issues (and sounding like we knew what we were talking about ). Her supervisor even came over to check on us. Probably because of our smell and the way we looked?

I helped set shuttle for Paul, et al. to paddle the Stoney Sunday morning, so I'll let him report about that trip (if there was anything to post), then I headed back home (about a 6 hour drive ).

KNeal

P.S. What you WILL NOT READ IN MY POST is anything pertaining to lug nuts or a new nickname for me--understand, Paul?!

Neal, I had a great time Saturday and am glad you were able to paddle on Sunday. I am really inspired to imitate those enders and stern squirt combos you were doing. But you won't see a seat thwart in my boat, its hard enough getting out as it is for me The ArgueMax was a fun ride, even if I was paddling on my off side. I should just correct that my partner Walt is a veteran C-boater of 20 years or so. His friend / co-owner is the afore mentioned butt boater who is commited to becoming a C-2er.

Sunday, we headed for the Cheat Narrows which was running at a great level. There I and Walt shared time in the Atom and Viper. I think he needs a half cut Viper. At one of the hydrolics he was able to take the boat down 6" to a foot below the surface.

Well I'm back at work and a meeting beckons

Lug nuts? Sounds like you got some 'splainin' to do... More automotive adventures? Without the big yellow beast guzzling AT fluid and leaving a smoke screen or my truck needing multiple jump starts, somebody had to keep up the tradition. Fess up, I hear it is good for the soul.

Paddling the NB Potomac, eating Strombolis, raiding Fox's Pizza in Westernport, and epic vehicle breakdown stories sound like the norm for the Spring Armadas.

I'll just simply say that the wheel that was loose got tightened and I am going to leave the rest out about: front end alignments, suspension suspicions, steering alignment, wheel balance, the TRANSMISSION FLUID!, and sabotage (ruled out due to inadequate policy amounts ).

To quote Forrest Gump, "That's all I'm gonna say about that."

KNeal

P.S. Scott, are you gonna stop by here on the way up? Spend the night? Have time to paddle the James? With luck (and LOTS of it, I'm hoping to return for the May Armada).

A little confession is only a little good for the soul...

I think I should plan on coming through Richmond enroute tothe NBP. And hopefully avoid vehicular excitement, I've spent enough on the truck lately.... I wonder if Mike W. can be dragged along, I don't think he is that far out of the way...

Scott

I'm off that Thursday & Friday. I did the donwtown section at 6' this past Sunday. We had a ball even if we did get lost on the river & finding the put-in .

Mike, how did you get lost On the river trying to find the putin ? Hee hee

Since you are off Thursday, let me know if you want to paddle. That day should be good for me regardless of my ability to attend the May Armada.

KNeal

Actually, we got lost in the trucks 1st. Then we got lost in the boats.

I was following someone who "could find the take-out" . We rode around downtown Richmond. Went the wrong way down at least one one-way-street . Then we found the take-out.

This guy had paddled up there lots before. I had paddled up there twice. I made it clear that I did not know where to go. After Hollywood, he said that he wasn't sure which way to go & that it had been 6 years since hed been up there. We caught another group & they told us how to get to Pipeline. Folks sure do look at you funny when you paddle up to them & tell 'em that you're lost . Didn't there used to be a sign on the last bridge telling you where to go?

It all worked out & we had fun. I had forgotten how steep that take-out is. Sure am glad I was toting the Viper & not some heavy chunk of Tupper-Ware .

Sorry this has taken a bit of time to get posted but the small gathering was fun. It was good to see Jim and Walt (?) cutting it up in the C2. I figured there had to be C1 in both of their backgrounds based on the way they were moving that boat and round and not arguing” in the ArgueMax! And it’s always nice to paddle with Neal! Particularlly, when he puts on a show (with his “spinning”) at the lunch hole! It really was a spin – it just looked like 4 separate moves due to the length of the Viper. But the crowd was impressed and even took photos. I have a few of them and I’ll send them to Adam shortly for posting – if he will be so kind! The photos include the Jim “I don’t need NO stinking skirt” roll and eddy out after his surf in my Viper which was a huge crowd pleaser!
I started to get more comfortable in the Viper and it showed (at least in the photos). It actually looks like I sort of have my act together. Then there is the photo of Neal showing off with a squirt in front of the kayakers. Nothing gets yaker attention like 6’ of boat sticking straight up out of the water. Unless you count that kid that jumped on the 30’ cliff and did the “back-smacker” (I can still feel it – it was ugly sounding)!
The NBP was cold but fun. Ron (of Rock n’ Ron fame) even gave us Cs a complement (unusual for a butt boater that kidding says C1ers are some sort of cult) when he said it was “cool to look down a rapid and see the Cs surfing and making fluid moves”.
Fox’s Pizza is on notice and looking forward to the May event per our little group which I think the actually are starting to count on!
As for old “lug-nuts” – well I’ll just leave that up to Neal’s explanation(s) - and your imagination!
Now for driving to the Stoney (the fest is getting better (still a bit lame) but they did have a dam release on Sat.) it was not a “short-cut”! The drive was a straight shot and beats most of my WV trips in terms of directness. I just think Neal is spoiled with a good river 5 minutes form the house!
Camping was good with the band, natives, dogs and mutants staying well with in good reason as to noise and partying! That means we all got a bit of sleep!
The paddle on Sun was nice (~2.9), although lower than I would have liked! I still took the Viper and thanks to Neal’s shuttle things went quickly (after we had to search Johnstown for a place to eat breakfast and discuss politics)! The rule of eating where all the police cars are at seems to work!
Lots of surfs, moves and getting the squirt dialed in on the Stoney. I am getting spoiled by this boat in terms of comfort, speed and ability to play / make moves.
An overall fun trip!!! I’m might even work (harder) on getting a hall pass for the May version!