Great Outdoor Blog

Wilmington Staff member, Robert Smith, has embarked on a paddle excursion to Charleston, SC. (He had planned a 200 mile trip starting at Lake Waccamaw, but had a change of plans due a death in his family.) Robert’s mission is to raise awareness in the region about the human impact on the Waccamaw River, Winyah Bay and the salt marshes and barrier islands of NC and SC. He is an ACA certified instructor at the Open Water (L4) level and owns Watersmyth Kayaking. Here are a few entries from his blog:

Due to the delay I must shorten the trip and begin in Georgetown SC on Monday the 12th. This new starting point will allow me to paddle the second half of the original route, from Winyah Bay to James Island County Park in Charleston and still attend the East Coast Canoe and Kayak Festival.

Trek to Charleston -Night 1

Melissa reporting in:
Mother Nature has reminded Robert just how much he doesn’t know!
He had high reviews for the staff at East Bay Park in Georgetown, SC. But tonight on Cedar Island is another story. He said he’d not see another boat or soul for hours. And as he landed and started setting up camp huge mosquitos descended. He was very nearly sucked to a dry husk before he managed to put on a storm cag to try and gain some protection as he got the tent up. At our last phone conversation he feared they would realize they could all team up and pick up the tent and carry him off like a giant burrito. He said there were so many hitting the tent that it sounded like rain! He pulled as many supplies as he could near the zipper so he could just dart a hand out for what he needed. Not sure this in the man alone communing with nature that he’d hoped for!
Last position: Latitude:33.13423 Longitude:-79.2472

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He said yesterday morning when breaking down his camp, he had to shake the bug parts out of his tent and there were blood splatters everywhere from smacking the beasts! All around his stove there was singed mosquito carnage.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Sullivan’s Island
After a cool foggy morning and a day of wind, Robert’s position tonight:
Latitude:33.03826 Longitude:-79.56093

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Thursday, April 15, 2010
Charleston!
Robert landed in Charleston this morning to attend the East Coast Canoe & Kayak Festival.
Latitude:32.72916 Longitude:-79.99465

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The Umstead Coalition is pleased to finally bring a drinking fountain to the Turkey Creek multi-use trail within William B. Umstead State Park. It is located close to the neighborhood gate at Reedy Creek and Trenton Roads. This super deluxe model is freeze resistant, allows for 3 drinking heights (adult, child, and very short) as well as a spigot to fill up your water bottles. It took over 3 years and a lot of complications and twists and turns – but it’s finally installed!

The Umstead Coalition is extremely grateful to the inspiration and fund-raising for this fountain by Carolyn Huettel with the Carolina Godiva Track Club. Other organizations that pitched in included: NC Road Runners Club, NC Ultra Running Association, City of Oaks Marathon, Cary Plumbing, and Great Outdoor Provision Co.

On Saturday, April 10, the Neuse RIVERKEEPER® Foundation will hold their Annual Neuse River Cleanup from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. River-lovers of all ages are invited to join us for a day of service and community. A thank-you picnic will follow immediately. Come get your hands dirty then join us for some relaxation and social time near the beautiful Neuse!

River cleanups are truly community efforts. The Foundation expects nearly 500 volunteers will participate this time, including youth groups, church groups, civic organizations, college students and river enthusiasts. The cleanup will cover nearly 50 miles of river between Falls Dam in North Raleigh and Smithfield Town Commons in Johnston County. The Counties of Wake and Johnston agreed to waive the landfill fees and the city of Raleigh will provide garbage trucks and staff to remove the trash at the Raleigh sites.

This event has become the largest single river cleanup in the State; over the past 7 years the Cleanup has collected more than 113,505 lbs waste and involved 1,663 volunteers. Volunteers have removed an amazing variety of items from the river, including appliances, car parts, disco balls, a Christmas tree with decorations, a check book, couches, coconuts, tires, buckets of paint, and syringes as well as plastic bags, cups and bottles. This year, for the first time, Spring Cleanup volunteers will be separating recyclable materials for diversion from local landfills.

To participate in the upcoming cleanup, go to the Foundation website at www.neuseriver.org and select a site location near you. Opportunities for paddlers, with or without their own boat, are available at the Falls Dam, Milburnie Dam, and Smithfield Town Commons locations; shuttles will be provided.

Clean-up Sites

• Smith Creek at Burlington Mills Rd., Wake Forest
• Falls Lake Dam Canoe Access – 12098 Falls of the Neuse Road, Raleigh
• Buffaloe Road Canoe Access – 4901 Elizabeth Drive, Raleigh
• Crabtree Creek at Raleigh Blvd. Raleigh
• Milburnie Dam Canoe Access- 1101 Old Milburnie Road, Raleigh
• Poole Road Canoe Access – 6501 Poole Road, Raleigh
• Hwy 42 in Clayton – 2075 NC Highway 42 E, Clayton
• Smithfield Town Commons – 200 S. Front St., Smithfield

The UNCG Department of Campus Recreation presents its 1st Annual Spartan ThrowDown Disc Golf Tournament. It will be held at the Piney Lake Recreation Area and is open to UNCG students, faculty and staff, and the community. Divisions include Men’s and Women’s beginner, intermediate and advanced.

More info: campusrec.uncg.edu

Yadkin Riverkeeper’s Tour De Yadkin is well formed and now you can get a look at when you want to get on the “tour.”

http://www.yadkinriverkeeper.org/tour2010schedule

Some of these dates have built in shuttle and rental opportunities. Otherwise the boats, (gear) and shuttles are the individual’s responsibilities. Make some time and get on the water with Dean this April.

Ward, Winston-Salem Shop