Ocoee and Friends

"As you walk through life, you will come to a chasm. Jump; it's not as far as you think."

I had a great time this weekend with Memphis Whitewater and the Virginia Boyz. We started the trip with a run down the Nanty. The group consisted of 15 boaters: Paul, Justin (twinkle toes), Nealc, Dalton (neal's son), Lauren, Mhoward, Rob, David, Sharon, River Rat Ron, Ruthie (phillip's daughter), Phillip50, Kevins, FatDoug, and me.

Everyone had a great day and while there were a few swims, we all got down the river in great humor and company. On a personal paddling note, I hit a combat in the eddy below Tumble Dry (the rapid after Patton's...don't know why it keeps giving me fits) and then got one after running the falls (right side up, but flipped in the hole in the bottom). I felt really confident on the river, but in the back of my mind was the Ocoee. Paul, the Virginia boyz, Sue (VA) and I went for dinner (mexican) in Andrews (they do not serve beer, but do serve wine). Paul and Greg (VA) split a bottle and after stuffing ourselves, we headed to AU to camp.

I had trouble finding the MW guys in the dark, so we set up camp in a very vigerous area of the grounds. There were white trash love fights, fire crackers, loud stereoes and barking dogs. Things settled after 11 and we all got some sleep, but for a while there, it was interesting.

I got up the next day with a beautiful migraine. I'm guessing the lack of sleep combinded with the stress of the Ocoee is what triggered it. I took my zomig at around 6, but it didn't phase it. I took the second one around 8:30 knowing that i could not take another one for 24 hours and if the second dose didn't work, I'd just have to deal with it and not put-on. After 45 minutes it was started to get better and after we finished up breakfast at the Dam Deli with two cups of coffee, the migraine was gone and I was ready to put-on.

The Virginia boyz (FatDoug and Greg) opted for a run of the whole river (starting with the upper), mhoward, Kevins, Ryan, and David put on at entrance (grumpies), and Phillip, Rob, and I went to slice and dice to get ready to run. Phillip and I were the only real newbies to the river. So, we were in a great group. I have to say I really appreciate the guys ignoring me and giving me a certain amount of space. I sat on the side of the river below slice and cried for a bit. Not really becasue i was scared (although I was). I was just really emotional (the migraine didn't help that). It was as if I had worked and put off for a really long time to get to the point I felt I could run the river. It was the kind of crying that happens at a graduation. I never thought about backing out; I just need the emotional release of a good cry. Finally, Rob yelled over, "We're going." And we were gone.

First rapid was moon shoot. I stayed behind Mhoward and hit the eddies with him. After the first eddy he said, we're going to the left of that big rock there. I said okay and set to follow him, got pushed off the line and ended up going to the right, and bumping my way down the right side. At the bottom there was a partially submerged rock that grabbed my bow and spun me. I was half way stuck and the current was trying to flip me. I started throwing braces on my right side. After two or three of those, I came unstuck and started paddling toward mhoward who said, "That was a hell of a brace!" which really built up my confidence. I hadn't had to roll or anything. I was off to a good start. The next thing I remember, we were headed into something called "1/2 mile of hell" followed by "Double Trouble." Mhoward said we were just going to pick our way down and then to be ready for three waves when we entered double trouble. Somehow, i got flipped in 1/2 mile. I was bracing up with my paddle on the bottom of the river, so I was getting plenty of air. I actually saw phillip paddling up to me to give me his bow for a t rescue. I took it and we were off again. I went to put on my nose plugs again and Mhoward started yelling, "paddle, paddle!" because we were approaching double trouble. I remember not being able to see anyone else in the group because I had lost a contact lense (around the back of my eye). It was the weirdest feeling; I thought, no nose plugs, no lense...here we go and started paddling towards the waves. After hitting the first one I was excited, the second one was even better and then the third one came from the left side curling towards me. I angled slightly and hit it dead on. i think it was at this point I started whooping and hollering because I was having so much fun. I found the group in an eddy on the right, paddled over and promptly stole a quote from Dr. Sonny, "That was the most fun I've had with my clothes on in years!"

I enjoyed the rest of the river, especially TableSaw. I just remember sitting in the eddy on river left looking down at all that churning white water and thinking, I'm gonna run THAT? I had a weak ferry peeled out and set up. They had told me to run it right of center and i was trying but apparently I was paddling more air than water (my own patented move the "Ninja Air Brace Flury." it's a variation of the air brace coupled with frantic air paddling). Several guys in the eddy commented that my paddle would to much better if I actually put it IN the water and one guy even asked where my husband was (roll eyes to self).

I also remember running Cat's Pajamas and actually giggling when i went down the slide.

I was getting really tired at that point. Mhoward kept on saying it was only 10 minutes to the take out. We skirted Hell Hole on the left and then eddied out for powerhouse (which I blew the ferry again on) but made it through powerhouse without incident.

When we got to the flat water, I was crying again. Once again the guys thankfully ignored me. I was so happy I had done it. I was more thankful for my friends: mhoward who kept leaning on my boat and saying, "ahhh, this is fun" and "stay behind me; it will be fine" and David who just kept saying how awesome I was doing. I remember in the middle of the tears thinking, I've run the Ocoee. What do I do now? Then, the little voice in my head spoke up and answered, "how about running it WELL next time" which, of course, made me giggle and ended the crying jag.

I have to say after the Ocoee Lite I Want More. I want more double trouble, I want more table saw, I want more accelrator and more powerhouse. It was one of the most exciting rides I've ever had and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

As for my friend who drove all the way from WAY up north to come down and boat with me for our first date, he was more than i could have ever wanted and much more than i ever deserved. He was a gentleman, he was a boater, he was amazing. He brought me fresh fruit on the river and gave me space to let me receive instruction from my guru. He keeps saying how proud he is of me for running the Ocoee (even though i know it is really small potatoes to him and his badazz friends). He got along okay with my group as well (whew) and i got along with his. He was perfect and I am so thankful that i had the opportunity to hang out. We plan to be together this coming weekend as well, so hopefully this time, we'll actually have time alone to talk and be just us.

I'll always count our first date as that run down the Nanty. Tell me that aint the greatest first date in the world!!

Santha