This weekend was crazy!! I got so much accomplished and had such a good time. I will start off with my Friday.
Friday: I got off of work at 4pm and went home to get everything ready for my weekend. At 6pm I headed for Charlotte. The doors at The Milestone were set to open at 8pm and I wanted to be there early. Little did I know, that was completely unnecessary. However in getting there WAY early, I was able to meet Tim Barry and Josh Small outside in the parking lot just hanging out!! The doors opened at 8 and I went in along with no one else. I sat down at the bar and there were two other people in there. I had a few beers and then about 9:30 Andy the Door Bum started the night off! I had heard a few of Andy's songs before and did not really care for him, other that Love song for cigarettes. Once I saw him live and got to hang out and talk with him, I really started digging him. I bought one of his CD's and he threw me a few stickers for Daniel and myself. Pullman Strike took the stage next and they were alright. They were a full band and I got the impression, they had not been together very long. They had 2 copies of their set list taped to the stage floor! After Pullman Strike broke down their equipment, Josh and Tim came up on stage and played a set together. It was all of Josh's music, but it was good. Josh is a hell of a songwriter. Once Josh stepped off the stage, Tim really came on full force! He played about 15 songs and really interacted with the crowd. It was great! I can't wait to go back!!
Saturday: This day began on my leaving the concert about 1:15 am!! I thought I was drunk and really wanted some Waffle House coffee! So I decided against my better judgement to drive down the road and find some food and coffee. I had a text on my phone from Kris, from around 11pm, so I texted her and called Ashley. Ashley called me back and kris was texting me, while I am driving around in Charlotte in the middle of the night, looking for a Waffle House. (Note: This is a bad idea!!!) I got lost, told Ashley I needed to use my phone to find a waffle House and hung up. I started looking through my phone and next thing I know there are blue lights behind me for swerving! I explain to the cop that I was messing with my phone and not paying attention. I am also very tired, an hour from home and yes I have been drinking. He immediately gets me out of the car and administers a breathalyzer test. I blow and begin to shake!! .04 comes back and I am not drunk!! Stupid!!! But not drunk!! The cop wanted to wait a few and try it again. So bhack in the car I go and 10-15 mins later ha came to get me and we tried again. Again I blew .04 and was allowed on my way. He was really nice and I was polite through the entire event. He gave me directions to the nearest gas station, where I could get some coffee! I went there and then a little after 2am I got back on the road heading south towards home! No more excitement on the ride home, thankfully!! I got in the bed and the next thing I know it is 7am and I need to get up because Rick will be there just before 8am to pick me up, so we can go paddle section 4 of the Chattooga!!
10/16/10 Chattooga Bull to Campcreek
.85ft on Bridge Gauge
61 deg Put on at 11:30am.
Rick, Jake, and Zack
This was Jake's first run on this section. It was Rick's 2nd! Zack had paddled it a bunch! We put in below the Bull, since it was so low! We paddled down and just hung out mainly till we got down to Woodall. Once we got down to 7 foot, we took out and scouted the drop. Jake ran the sneak and set safety for us to run the drop. All three of us had great lines off 7 foot! Rick was totally stoked and was pumped for the rest of the day. We got some video of everyone running it, but it is all on Rick's camera. I will try to post it later. Jake had a dry hair run! I think we will be seeing him down there more now! Once back in Greenville, Ashley and I had a short argument about the events of the night before. Then we went to dinner and went to Daniel and Melissa's to play some cards. We played spades for a while and then headed home about 11pm.
Sunday:
10/17/10 Lower Saluda
860cfs online gauge
68 deg Put on at 9:30am.
Steve C.
So I got up Sunday at 7am and got ready to head south to Columbia. I met up with Steve at the Zoo and went down to the river for some park and play action on Mill's Race. As long as the weather holds this year, I am going to run the race in January. If it is too cold, I am just going to paddle and watch! It was nice to see the river at this level. It was much different than two years ago when I was there! At 11 we got off the water and Steve had to leave so he could meet some of his friends for a flatwater paddle. I went to Lexington and sat in a Rush's parking lot reading and relaxing! I was due to meet a friend near there about 1pm. The weather was great and I even got in a short nap. At 1pm I got directions to Shafe's house and went and picked him up. We went and had lunch then went to Bailey's for some pool and football! We had a good time catching up and then about 5pm I headed for home. Ashley and I went to dinner at Chili's and went back home for a movie. Weekend done!! Tired today, but happy with my eventful weekend!!
