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That’s gonna be a tough paddle.

2NC995

2NC995

DAN
Feb 23, 2008
2,219
4,010
273
Coastal NC
Years back and along with several friends I set out on a canoe trip in the NC Mountains. The “New River” for anyone familiar with it.

We had everything planned out. 8 of us packed into 4 canoes, mostly rentals, and ready to set out for our 3 day trip. Everything but the kitchen sink.

After we’d staged a pickup vehicle, a warden happened upon us at the launch as we were rearing and ready to go. He wanted to know our “float plan”.

We had it all...down to the “T”. Military topo maps, our camping areas, rest stops, life jackets, an evac plan...the whole nine yards.

All he said in response, “That’s gonna be a tough paddle”.

Befuddled at first, we assured the Warden that we were in shape, healthy as oxen, and ready to set out on this big adventure.

At that point the Warden kindly explained that the “New River” actually wasn’t new at all. It predated the Ice Age, and unlike many rivers, flowed from south to north. Indeed. A mighty tough paddle.

We heeded the advice of the friendly warden, delayed by a few hours to recover and restage our vehicles and went on about our trip.

Just so happens we ran into the right guy at the right time...’cause that woulda been one tough paddle.
 
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Slowmover said:
Ah, huh.

Didn’t feel out of character, did it?

.
Click to expand...

Well, in the end it all went as expected...a big adventure. It was just days after returning from an OIF tour (we all needed it).

But, got bless the Warden that had the intuition to second guess us and the guts to steer us back on course. He had a good sense of humor, too.

In reality, it wouldn't have actually been a tough paddle.....but we would have sure as hell went in the wrong direction "up" the river.
 
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Beetle said:
Rivers running from South to North? Never heard of such a thing. Lookit the Willamette River in Oregon. Shoot, look at the Nile!
Click to expand...

Yeah, but not many in the Eastern US...where we all were from.

As a kid it was ingrained in my head...”ridges run N & S, creeks (cricks) flow S”.

In the area it was true. But then again, I was pretty well dumped in the Adirondacks with a 30-30 and a Marbles compass at 14 years old...haha.
 
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Robb said:
Guess they forgot to bring their field intelligence officer . . . lulz . . .
Eight guys? Four canoes? Appalachian canoe trip?
Ever heard of a movie called 'Deliverance'?
Make sure no one squeals like a pig . . . lulz again . . .

Sorry . . .just struck me all as funny . . .
Click to expand...

We really did end up having a blast.

Actually, we ran into that same Warden later in the same trip.

Another story all together...haha.
 
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2NC995 said:
Well, in the end it all went as expected...a big adventure. It was just days after returning from an OIF tour (we all needed it).

But, got bless the Warden that had the intuition to second guess us and the guts to steer us back on course. He had a good sense of humor, too.

In reality, it wouldn't have actually been a tough paddle.....but we would have sure as hell went in the wrong direction "up" the river.
Click to expand...


As a child, I’d read of the Nile of Classical Egypt. I just couldn’t get the geography straight when a pharaoh was said to have, “sailed upstream to Memphis”.

My mental map had gone the opposite direction. Up is, North, correct?

The River was a road (to me). Not a flow. A stream.

.

.
 
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Slowmover said:
As a child, I’d read of the Nile of Classical Egypt. I just couldn’t get the geography straight when a pharaoh was said to have, “sailed upstream to Memphis”.

My mental map had gone the opposite direction. Up is, North, correct?

The River was a road (to me). Not a flow. A stream.

.

.
Click to expand...
Yep. I learned quite early that the Nile is unlike "most" other rivers, flowing from S to N. From Giza, where the three pyramids and the Sphinx, you travel South to get to Upper Egypt (Luxor, Kings Valley, etc.) and North to the Mediterranean Sea. About the only constants are "upstream" and "downstream".
 
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What's funny is the word " Paddle " ! I do have a Canoe & have for over 50 years . Must say I haven't floated it in a while , but that " Paddle " thing ? It was fine years ago . My Canoe , Sportsman , 12' long & 46" wide now has & Electric Motor ! :whistle: They make me have one in my Center Console also , never had to , use it thankfully & hopefully never will ! That's why I have " Sea Tow " the " AAA " for boats . " Paddle " .... I'm :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO: again ! All in jest Dan ! (y) Stay Healthy & Safe ! 73 & God Bless ! Leo
 
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357magnum said:
What's funny is the word " Paddle " ! I do have a Canoe & have for over 50 years . Must say I haven't floated it in a while , but that " Paddle " thing ? It was fine years ago . My Canoe , Sportsman , 12' long & 46" wide now has & Electric Motor ! :whistle: They make me have one in my Center Console also , never had to , use it thankfully & hopefully never will ! That's why I have " Sea Tow " the " AAA " for boats . " Paddle " .... I'm :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO: again ! All in jest Dan ! (y) Stay Healthy & Safe ! 73 & God Bless ! Leo
Click to expand...

But you can't float up river....I think the Warden had it right :LOL::LOL::LOL:
 
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