Coastals

Thanks to Tom McCloud, we had the great opportunity to paddle the Lost River in WVa - before it becomes "lost" later in the season - as part of the Coastals' Quarterly weekend paddling opportunities. After choosing among several different options for the Sunday paddle, Tom agreed to take eleven first timers on this gem. We were rewarded with a beautiful stretch of river, easy access and about three Class III(?) rapids - two of which someone swam. I have to thank everyone for helping me in the last swim. I was reminded of a lot of important things in this one short paddle -and will be working on them, including renewing your swiftwater rescue class every couple years (I didn't have the rope on the right shoulder or something).

We also need to thank Tom for his thoughtfulness in stopping at the elderly landowner's house (at the takeout) afterwards to thank him - he connected with both the owner and the next generation - both very important if we want to keep this stretch of the river available. It only took a few minutes, but was so important!

Thanks also to everyone for a great cookout the night before - thanks to Dave Kessmann for coordinating the weekend & finding the campground and Jon Dzielek for the great burgers, etc, and all the others who pitched in to help.

We paddled the Casselman on Saturday, while rivers paddled by others during the weekend included the Dry Fork of the Cheat, the Upper Big Sandy, the Cheat and the Cheat Narrows in addition to some Class IV/V rivers.

Summer of 1977......I'm In You by Peter Frampton blaring from the swimming pool speakers. And the cutie from Princeton, WV I had a crush on. Soon to be replaced the following summer by the two sisters from NOVA. And then there was that time that some of the older kids got into the 3.2% beer. Ahhhh.....memories of my childhood at Lost River State Park.....*sigh*!

Thanks for the report....I can at least live vicariously. Now excuse me while I go cry that ya'll got to paddle the Casselman and I didn't. There has to be a better way.