The Paddling Season in Review

JPTolson · 12-25-2010, 12:50 PM

The Paddling Year in Review

Personal High Points and Low Points

Fellow paddlers,

Before tying the bow on another year of paddling at the Procrastinators’ Christmas Party next month, I thought that the time between Christmas and New Years would be good for reflecting on the high points, low points, humorous moments, and any other notable events of the 2010 paddling season. I’ve listed mine below. Perhaps some of you would like to share yours as well. I would love to read some from others’ perspectives.

jp

Low Points

Missing the Grand River, Presque Isle, and Allegheny River Foxburg trips. It’s always disappointing not to be able to make a scheduled club trip, even more so when it would be a personal first time run like each of these would have been. Maybe next year!

Turbulent weather. It seemed like there was a period where high winds, high water, and thunderstorms, or at least the threat of them, coincided with scheduled trips for the Grand, Shenango, Mahoning, and Midnight Paddle. But one thing I learned as thunder and lightning harassed us at Pointview Park last July is when Tom, Sue D, Stan, and Larry show up, some part of the show will go on regardless of the weather!

Knocking off Tim’s rudder mount. While trying to help Tim avoid a carry around tangle of river-wide wood on the Mahoning’s Foster Park to Newton Falls run, I accidentally knocked off a piece of his kayak that held the rudder in place. Always good-natured and a gentleman, Tim brushed it off as no big deal.

Screwing up a shuttle. After making a turn on the shuttle route, I committed the cardinal sin of not waiting for the vehicle behind me (it happened to be Ed) which had disappeared from my rearview mirror. As a result paddlers in at least six vehicles wandered needlessly around the western Pennsylvania countryside looking for the takeout on the lower Mahoning River trip. As punishment I will write one hundred times, “Drivers are responsible for not losing sight of the vehicle BEHIND them. But if they do lose sight of the trailing vehicle, they must slow down or stop along the side of the road to wait for the trailing vehicle to catch up as long as it is safe to do so.” Without a doubt, this was the lowest of the lows.

Ticking off Ed. Following my final rant on the PFD discussion in the TCT online forum, Ed chimed in with comments that made no pretense of his frustration over the issue. The tenor of his remarks made it absolutely clear that this was END OF DISCUSSION!

High Points

Chili Bookends. What a great way to begin and end the paddling season–enjoying bowls of chili outdoors after the icebreaker trip on the Tionesta (thanks to Sue D and Tom) and the traditional season-ending Chilly Chili paddle at Canoe City (thanks to Ed, Patty and Rich, and Sue R).

Paddling the Allegheny for the first time. Although many folks prefer the intimacy of smaller streams and creeks, there is also something majestic about large, powerful rivers. The trip from Buckaloons to Tidioute certainly provided the sense of a grand, stately, imposing, and beautiful river.

Getting to better know the Mahoning. Since 2010 was only my second full season of paddling in this area, I had yet to discover most of the Mahoning River. Four of the five official club Mahoning runs this year were new to me. Especially surprising was the stretch from the mouth of Mill Creek to Lowellville. It is delightful and far from what I imagined might be a riverbank lined with miles of brownfields. What a treasure in our own back yard! It looks like the Mahoning is a well-kept secret.

Snagging a picture of Mike and his dad on the river. From discussions with Mike, it was clear that his father did not like to pose for the camera or even be included in candid shots. So the pressure was on when Mike asked me to get an action shot of him and his father on the Mahoning River trip that began at the ballfields in LaBrae. I was fortunate to get a fairly decent shot (see picture 11 from the June 27 trip on the Mahoning in User Albums), and it was a great feeling to learn that Mike later downloaded and framed the image.

Trip photos. The season didn’t begin with intent to take group shots of all paddlers on club trips. But after the first couple, it became clear that posting photos of trip participants on the club website was generating some interest. It’s a neat way to document and remember club outings and a good way to showcase to potential members that TCT is about enjoying the great outdoors. Thanks to everyone who was so cooperative.

Incidentally, I counted 186 paddlers for the 12 official club trips that I was able to attend this year. Not bad!

12-25-2010, 12:50 PM	#1
JPTolson Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Salem, Ohio Posts: 904 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTW/F/M Award(s): 0	The Paddling Season in Review The Paddling Year in Review Personal High Points and Low Points Fellow paddlers, Before tying the bow on another year of paddling at the Procrastinators’ Christmas Party next month, I thought that the time between Christmas and New Years would be good for reflecting on the high points, low points, humorous moments, and any other notable events of the 2010 paddling season. I’ve listed mine below. Perhaps some of you would like to share yours as well. I would love to read some from others’ perspectives. jp Low Points Missing the Grand River, Presque Isle, and Allegheny River Foxburg trips. It’s always disappointing not to be able to make a scheduled club trip, even more so when it would be a personal first time run like each of these would have been. Maybe next year! Turbulent weather. It seemed like there was a period where high winds, high water, and thunderstorms, or at least the threat of them, coincided with scheduled trips for the Grand, Shenango, Mahoning, and Midnight Paddle. But one thing I learned as thunder and lightning harassed us at Pointview Park last July is when Tom, Sue D, Stan, and Larry show up, some part of the show will go on regardless of the weather! Knocking off Tim’s rudder mount. While trying to help Tim avoid a carry around tangle of river-wide wood on the Mahoning’s Foster Park to Newton Falls run, I accidentally knocked off a piece of his kayak that held the rudder in place. Always good-natured and a gentleman, Tim brushed it off as no big deal. Screwing up a shuttle. After making a turn on the shuttle route, I committed the cardinal sin of not waiting for the vehicle behind me (it happened to be Ed) which had disappeared from my rearview mirror. As a result paddlers in at least six vehicles wandered needlessly around the western Pennsylvania countryside looking for the takeout on the lower Mahoning River trip. As punishment I will write one hundred times, “Drivers are responsible for not losing sight of the vehicle BEHIND them. But if they do lose sight of the trailing vehicle, they must slow down or stop along the side of the road to wait for the trailing vehicle to catch up as long as it is safe to do so.” Without a doubt, this was the lowest of the lows. Ticking off Ed. Following my final rant on the PFD discussion in the TCT online forum, Ed chimed in with comments that made no pretense of his frustration over the issue. The tenor of his remarks made it absolutely clear that this was END OF DISCUSSION! High Points Chili Bookends. What a great way to begin and end the paddling season–enjoying bowls of chili outdoors after the icebreaker trip on the Tionesta (thanks to Sue D and Tom) and the traditional season-ending Chilly Chili paddle at Canoe City (thanks to Ed, Patty and Rich, and Sue R). Paddling the Allegheny for the first time. Although many folks prefer the intimacy of smaller streams and creeks, there is also something majestic about large, powerful rivers. The trip from Buckaloons to Tidioute certainly provided the sense of a grand, stately, imposing, and beautiful river. Getting to better know the Mahoning. Since 2010 was only my second full season of paddling in this area, I had yet to discover most of the Mahoning River. Four of the five official club Mahoning runs this year were new to me. Especially surprising was the stretch from the mouth of Mill Creek to Lowellville. It is delightful and far from what I imagined might be a riverbank lined with miles of brownfields. What a treasure in our own back yard! It looks like the Mahoning is a well-kept secret. Snagging a picture of Mike and his dad on the river. From discussions with Mike, it was clear that his father did not like to pose for the camera or even be included in candid shots. So the pressure was on when Mike asked me to get an action shot of him and his father on the Mahoning River trip that began at the ballfields in LaBrae. I was fortunate to get a fairly decent shot (see picture 11 from the June 27 trip on the Mahoning in User Albums), and it was a great feeling to learn that Mike later downloaded and framed the image. Trip photos. The season didn’t begin with intent to take group shots of all paddlers on club trips. But after the first couple, it became clear that posting photos of trip participants on the club website was generating some interest. It’s a neat way to document and remember club outings and a good way to showcase to potential members that TCT is about enjoying the great outdoors. Thanks to everyone who was so cooperative. Incidentally, I counted 186 paddlers for the 12 official club trips that I was able to attend this year. Not bad! Last edited by JPTolson; 12-26-2010 at 10:58 AM.