In thew News: the Director of the McDuffie-Thomson Chamber of Commerce, Tish Chase will join Paddle Georgia 2012!

The McDuffie Progress reports that the Director of the McDuffie-Thomson Chamber of Commerce, Tish Chase will join Paddle Georgia 2012 on the Altamaha river- to help raise awareness of the river’s culture and natural history….

Read the article here:

http://www.mcduffieprogress.com/article_4316.shtml

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Second Notice on Paddle GA Venue Change (in case you missed this last week)

A Project of Georgia River Network

Second Notice on Venue Change and More

In This Email: Request for Equipment Donations for Scholarship Youth Paddle Georgia Program at REI Second Notice on Venue Change (in case you missed this last week) Request for Equipment Donations for Scholarship Youth on Paddle Georgia From Volunteer Rachel Haddon Hey Y’all, My name is Rachel Haddon, and I’m a fellow Paddle Georgia participant. I can’t wait to get out on the river with y’all in a little under a month! Paddle Georgia is an amazing experience, and it’s great that we get to share it with 12 students who probably never thought that they spend a week in a canoe paddling down the river. This summer, 12 different students will join us on the Altamaha, thanks to the generosity of many folks who attended GRN’s Weekend for Rivers. Let’s help them out by bringing an extra item or two! Joey and Alicia have put together a wish list below, so please consider pitching in. It will make a world of difference in the students’ PG experience! If you would like to bring something to donate to the students, please email me at rachel.e.haddon@gmail.com with your name and which item(s) you would like to bring. If you would like to donate money in lieu of an item, that’s fine too! Donations can be made at by clicking here. Please note that the donation is in honor of Scholarship Youth. Wish List: 24 Nalgene style water bottles (no squirt tops or straws) 8 tubes of sunscreen 8 cans of serious bugspray 14 Dry bags Croakies for kids wearing glasses Journals Colored pencils Pens Money for incidentals like hats and shoes, more personal items, if the kids show up without them or lose them along the way I will be collecting items at PG registration, but please be sure to email me first so I know who’s bringing what! Thanks y’all, and I’ll see you on the river! Rachel Paddle GA Workshop at Atlanta REI (I-85 Store) on Thur, May 31 Are you frettin’ and fussin’ over what to bring to Paddle Georgia? Are you trying to figure out the best way to protect yourself from flying insects as you paddle past Bug Suck Lake? Are you concerned that you may not have the right boat for the Altamaha? Paddle Georgia staff will attempt to answer all these questions and more Thursday, May 31, at the REI Store in Atlanta (I-85) at 7 p.m. If you plan to attend, please register at http://www.rei.com/event/39786/session/50424 Several spots still remain. Dear Paddle Georgia 2012 Participants: Normally, at this time of the year, the Ohoopee River is flowing at about 140 cubic feet per second (cfs), but in this already drought-stricken year, the Ohoopee is flowing at less than 30 cfs. The minimum floatable level is greater than 60 cfs. Thus, it is with much sadness that we have decided to forgo an expedition on the Ohoopee and move all seven days of the Paddle Georgia to the Altamaha.The good news is that this change of venue will enable us to see more of Georgia’s largest river, including the spectacular Moody Forest Natural Area as well as Georgia Power’s Hatch Nuclear Power Plant.We want to ensure everyone has been notified of the changes below. To let us know you got this email and there is no need to call you, please click here and enter your name. We will be calling all paddlers who do not fill out this form and let us know they have been notified. Of course, this change in venue necessitates some slight alterations to our itinerary, including boat drop off times, driving directions and distances from campsites to launch/take out sites. What Doesn’t Change? ALMOST EVERYTHING! All campsites, menus, educational programs, special tours and moving days remain the same. What Does Change? 1.      Trip mileage 2.      Launch/take out sites for the first three days of the trip 3.      Distances to launch/take out sites for the first three days of the trip 4.      Directions to the boat drop location 5.      Directions to and from the boat drop location to Tattnall County High School 6.      Directions from our paddling workshop to the boat drop location. 7.      Boat Drop Times PLEASE REVIEW THE INFORMATION BELOW CAREFULLY. OTHERWISE, YOU’LL END UP ON THE OHOOPEE AND YOU’LL BE ALL ALONE…AND THAT WOULD BE SAD, INDEED! (especially after you attempt to paddle the Ohoopee in drought conditions) Mileage: The trip is now 105 miles, instead of 108 miles. Day 1 will run 10 miles from Deen’s Landing to Davis Landing Day 2 will run 12 miles from  Davis Landing to Stanfield Landing Day 3 will run 14 miles from Stanfield Landing to Upper Wayne County Landing Shuttle Distances from Campsite to Launch/Out Sites: Day 1 Distance to Launch Site—29 miles Day 1 Distance from Take Out to Campsite—31 miles Day 2 Distance to Launch Site—31 miles Day 2 Distance from Take Out to Campsite—18 miles Day 3 Distance to Launch Site—18 miles NEW BOAT DROP-OFF DIRECTIONS AND TIMES! New Boat Drop-Off Times: June 15 – 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; or June 16 -7 a.m. – 8 a.m. Directions to Boat Drop from the North (I-16): From Exit 90 on I-16 (U.S. 1) Proceed south on U.S. 1 towards Lyons. At 15 miles enter downtown Lyons. Continue south on U.S. 1 toward Baxley 19 miles to the Altamaha River. Cross river (Georgia Power’s Plant Hatch will be on the left) and continue 0.5 mile to Deen’s Landing Road on right. Turn right and proceed 0.9 mile. At 0.9 mile bear to right, staying on Deen’s Landing Road. Proceed 0.5 mile and bear to left, continuing on Deen’s Landing Road. Proceed 0.3 mile to entrance to boat landing on the right. Directions to Boat Drop from the East (I-95): From Exit 36 (U.S. 341/U.S. 25), go west on U.S. 341 33 miles to Jesup. In Jesup, continue on U.S. 341 toward Baxley. At 64 miles from I-95 reach U.S. 1 (Main St.) in Baxley. Turn right (north) on U.S. 1 and proceed 11 miles to Deen’s Landing Road on left. Turn left and  proceed 0.9 mile. At 0.9 mile bear to right, staying on Deen’s Landing Road. Proceed 0.5 mile and bear to left, continuing on Deen’s Landing Road. Proceed 0.3 mile to entrance to boat landing on the right. Directions to Boat Drop from the South (I-75): Take Exit 62 (U.S. 82/U.S. 319) in Tifton and proceed east 2.7 miles to intersection of U.S. 82 and U.S. 319. Turn left on U.S. 319 toward Ocilla and proceed 17.5 miles to Ocilla where U.S. 319 and Ga. 32 merge. Proceed 0.5 mile to intersection with U.S. 129/U.S. 319 (Irwin Ave.). Turn left on U.S. 129/U.S. 319 and proceed north toward Fitzgerald 7 miles to intersection with Ga. 107 (East Industrial Dr.). Turn right and proceed 1.6 miles to U.S. 319. Turn right on U.S. 319/Ga. 107 (east) and proceed 17.7 miles to U.S. 441/Ga. 107. Turn right (south) on U.S. 441 and proceed 1.4 miles to Ga. 107. Turn left (east) and proceed 16.6 miles to U.S. 221. Turn left (north) on U.S. 221 toward Hazelhurst and proceed 9.2 miles to East Coffee St. in Hazelhurst. Turn right on Coffee St. and proceed 0.1 mile to East. Jarman St. (U.S. 341). Turn right on East Jarman St. and proceed 16 miles to Baxley. At Main Street in Baxley (U.S. 1),  turn left (north) and proceed 11 miles to Deen’s Landing Road on left. Turn left and  proceed 0.9 mile. At 0.9 mile bear to right, staying on Deen’s Landing Road. Proceed 0.5 mile and bear to left, continuing on Deen’s Landing Road. Proceed 0.3 mile to entrance to boat landing on the right. Directions from Boat Drop Off to Tattnall County High School: Return to U.S. 1. Turn left and proceed three miles to Ga. 147. Turn right toward Reidsville and proceed 8.5 miles to Ga. 178. Turn right on Ga. 178/Ga. 147 and proceed four miles. At four miles continue straight on Ga. 147 and proceed six miles to U.S. 280. Ga. 147 merges with U.S. 280 (Brazell St. in Reidsville). From merge, proceed 0.2 miles to Main St. (Ga. 57). Turn right on Main St. and proceed five miles to Battle  and proceed five miles to Battle Creek Warrior Blvd. on left. Turn left and proceed 0.5 mile to school. Directions from Tattnall County High School to Boat Drop Off: Return to Ga. 57. Turn right (north) on Ga. 57 and proceed five miles to U.S. 280 (Brazell St.) in Reidsville. Turn left (west) and proceed 0.2 miles. At 0.2 miles turn left on to Ga. 147. Continue on Ga. 147 six miles to intersection with Ga. 178. Continue straight on Ga. 147 four miles and turn left on Ga. 147 (Ga. 178 continues straight). Proceed on Ga. 147 8.5 miles to U.S. 1. Turn left on U.S. 1 and proceed three miles to Deens Landing Road on the right. Turn right and proceed 0.9 mile. At 0.9 mile bear to right, staying on Deen’s Landing Road. Proceed 0.5 mile and bear to left, continuing on Deen’s Landing Road. Proceed 0.3 mile to entrance to boat landing on the right. NEW DIRECTIONS FROM PADDLING WORKSHOP TO BOAT LAUNCH After the Workshop you will need to drop your boat at Boat Drop: Directions to Boat Drop: Return to U.S. 280, turn left (east) and proceed 0.1 mile to Hill St. Turn right and go one block to Tattnall St. (Ga. 147). Turn right and continue on Ga. 147 six miles to intersection with Ga. 178. Continue straight on Ga. 147 four miles and turn left on Ga. 147 (Ga. 178 continues straight). Proceed on Ga. 147 8.5 miles to U.S. 1. Turn left on U.S. 1 and proceed three miles to Deens Landing Road on the right. Turn right and proceed 0.9 mile. At 0.9 mile bear to right, staying on Deen’s Landing Road. Proceed 0.5 mile and bear to left, continuing on Deen’s Landing Road. Proceed 0.3 mile to entrance to boat landing on the right. NEW KICK OFF SHUTTLE CONSIDERATIONS In order to ensure that paddlers taking the June 15 Kick Off Shuttle (and wishing to drop their boats at our initial boat launch at Deen’s Landing) have ample time to reach Darien for the shuttle back to our Tattnall County High School, a Paddle Georgia attendant will be stationed at the Deen’s Landing boat launch beginning at 9 a.m. on June 15. Should you have any questions, please contact Joe Cook at 706-409-0128 or Georgia River Network at 706-549-4508. A revised information packet is online at http://www.garivers.org/paddle_georgia/2012/pgregistered2012.html  (You may need to hit the “refresh” button on your internet browser to see the “revised” file.) Joe Cook Paddle Georgia Coordinator 303 East 5th Ave. Rome, GA 30161 706-235-1170 706-409-0128 Sponsors – Georgia Power, Hennessey Land Rover, Patagonia, Johnson Outdoors, Mohawk Carpet Foundation, The Outside World, Dock Supply, Cedar Creek RV & Outdoor Center, Stream Techs, Coca-Cola Refreshments, China Clay Producers Association, The Rain Barrel Depot, Jackson Spalding, Bridgestone Partners – Georgia Canoe Association, Altamaha Riverkeeper, Georgia Adopt-A-Stream, Project Wet, City of Darien, Altamaha River Partnership, Wayne County Board of Tourism

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The Harrington Family of Alpharetta set for Paddle GA 2012!

Read the story:

http://alpharetta.patch.com/articles/alpharetta-family-plans-week-on-the-river

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Loganville resident gearing up for Paddle Georgia 2012 the News

“Before Tammy Griffin ever stepped foot in a kayak, she saw it all on TV….”… and now on her 3rd Paddle Georgia- she’s hooked!  “Once you get into it, you want to do more,” Griffin said.

http://waltontribune.com/news/article_4310148a-a431-11e1-901d-0019bb2963f4.html

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Interested in spiffing up your paddling and rescue skills before paddle Georgia?

If you’re interested in spiffing up your paddling and rescue skills before Paddle Georgia- Check this out!

http://www.kayakclassesga.com/events/61456072/?eventId=61456072&action=detail

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Paddle Georgia 2012- Important Venue Change!

A Project of Georgia River Network- Important Venue Change!     inShare

Dear Paddle Georgia 2012 Participants: Normally, at this time of the year, the Ohoopee River is flowing at about 140 cubic feet per second (cfs), but in this already drought-stricken year, the Ohoopee is flowing at less than 30 cfs. The minimum floatable level is greater than 60 cfs. Thus, it is with much sadness that we have decided to forgo an expedition on the Ohoopee and move all seven days of the Paddle Georgia to the Altamaha. The good news is that this change of venue will enable us to see more of Georgia’s largest river, including the spectacular Moody Forest Natural Area as well as Georgia Power’s Hatch Nuclear Power Plant. We want to ensure everyone has been notified of the changes below. To let us know you got this email and there is no need to call you, please click here and enter your name. We will be calling all paddlers who do not fill out this form and let us know they have been notified. Of course, this change in venue necessitates some slight alterations to our itinerary, including boat drop off times, driving directions and distances from campsites to launch/take out sites. What Doesn’t Change? ALMOST EVERYTHING! All campsites, menus, educational programs, special tours and moving days remain the same. What Does Change? 1.      Trip mileage 2.      Launch/take out sites for the first three days of the trip 3.      Distances to launch/take out sites for the first three days of the trip 4.      Directions to the boat drop location 5.      Directions to and from the boat drop location to Tattnall County High School 6.      Directions from our paddling workshop to the boat drop location. 7.      Boat Drop Times PLEASE REVIEW THE INFORMATION BELOW CAREFULLY. OTHERWISE, YOU’LL END UP ON THE OHOOPEE AND YOU’LL BE ALL ALONE…AND THAT WOULD BE SAD, INDEED! (especially after you attempt to paddle the Ohoopee in drought conditions)   Mileage: The trip is now 105 miles, instead of 108 miles. Day 1 will run 10 miles from Deen’s Landing to Davis Landing Day 2 will run 12 miles from  Davis Landing to Stanfield Landing Day 3 will run 14 miles from Stanfield Landing to Upper Wayne County Landing   Shuttle Distances from Campsite to Launch/Out Sites: Day 1 Distance to Launch Site—29 miles Day 1 Distance from Take Out to Campsite—31 miles Day 2 Distance to Launch Site—31 miles Day 2 Distance from Take Out to Campsite—18 miles Day 3 Distance to Launch Site—18 miles   NEW BOAT DROP-OFF DIRECTIONS AND TIMES! New Boat Drop-Off Times: June 15 – 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; or June 16 -7 a.m. – 8 a.m. Directions to Boat Drop from the North (I-16): From Exit 90 on I-16 (U.S. 1) Proceed south on U.S. 1 towards Lyons. At 15 miles enter downtown Lyons. Continue south on U.S. 1 toward Baxley 19 miles to the Altamaha River. Cross river (Georgia Power’s Plant Hatch will be on the left) and continue 0.5 mile to Deen’s Landing Road on right. Turn right and proceed 0.9 mile. At 0.9 mile bear to right, staying on Deen’s Landing Road. Proceed 0.5 mile and bear to left, continuing on Deen’s Landing Road. Proceed 0.3 mile to entrance to boat landing on the right. Directions to Boat Drop from the East (I-95): From Exit 36 (U.S. 341/U.S. 25), go west on U.S. 341 33 miles to Jesup. In Jesup, continue on U.S. 341 toward Baxley. At 64 miles from I-95 reach U.S. 1 (Main St.) in Baxley. Turn right (north) on U.S. 1 and proceed 11 miles to Deen’s Landing Road on left. Turn left and  proceed 0.9 mile. At 0.9 mile bear to right, staying on Deen’s Landing Road. Proceed 0.5 mile and bear to left, continuing on Deen’s Landing Road. Proceed 0.3 mile to entrance to boat landing on the right. Directions to Boat Drop from the South (I-75): Take Exit 62 (U.S. 82/U.S. 319) in Tifton and proceed east 2.7 miles to intersection of U.S. 82 and U.S. 319. Turn left on U.S. 319 toward Ocilla and proceed 17.5 miles to Ocilla where U.S. 319 and Ga. 32 merge. Proceed 0.5 mile to intersection with U.S. 129/U.S. 319 (Irwin Ave.). Turn left on U.S. 129/U.S. 319 and proceed north toward Fitzgerald 7 miles to intersection with Ga. 107 (East Industrial Dr.). Turn right and proceed 1.6 miles to U.S. 319. Turn right on U.S. 319/Ga. 107 (east) and proceed 17.7 miles to U.S. 441/Ga. 107. Turn right (south) on U.S. 441 and proceed 1.4 miles to Ga. 107. Turn left (east) and proceed 16.6 miles to U.S. 221. Turn left (north) on U.S. 221 toward Hazelhurst and proceed 9.2 miles to East Coffee St. in Hazelhurst. Turn right on Coffee St. and proceed 0.1 mile to East. Jarman St. (U.S. 341). Turn right on East Jarman St. and proceed 16 miles to Baxley. At Main Street in Baxley (U.S. 1),  turn left (north) and proceed 11 miles to Deen’s Landing Road on left. Turn left and  proceed 0.9 mile. At 0.9 mile bear to right, staying on Deen’s Landing Road. Proceed 0.5 mile and bear to left, continuing on Deen’s Landing Road. Proceed 0.3 mile to entrance to boat landing on the right. Directions from Boat Drop Off to Tattnall County High School: Return to U.S. 1. Turn left and proceed three miles to Ga. 147. Turn right toward Reidsville and proceed 8.5 miles to Ga. 178. Turn right on Ga. 178/Ga. 147 and proceed four miles. At four miles continue straight on Ga. 147 and proceed six miles to U.S. 280. Ga. 147 merges with U.S. 280 (Brazell St. in Reidsville). From merge, proceed 0.2 miles to Main St. (Ga. 57). Turn right on Main St. and proceed five miles to Battle  and proceed five miles to Battle Creek Warrior Blvd. on left. Turn left and proceed 0.5 mile to school. Directions from Tattnall County High School to Boat Drop Off: Return to Ga. 57. Turn right (north) on Ga. 57 and proceed five miles to U.S. 280 (Brazell St.) in Reidsville. Turn left (west) and proceed 0.2 miles. At 0.2 miles turn left on to Ga. 147. Continue on Ga. 147 six miles to intersection with Ga. 178. Continue straight on Ga. 147 four miles and turn left on Ga. 147 (Ga. 178 continues straight). Proceed on Ga. 147 8.5 miles to U.S. 1. Turn left on U.S. 1 and proceed three miles to Deens Landing Road on the right. Turn right and proceed 0.9 mile. At 0.9 mile bear to right, staying on Deen’s Landing Road. Proceed 0.5 mile and bear to left, continuing on Deen’s Landing Road. Proceed 0.3 mile to entrance to boat landing on the right. NEW DIRECTIONS FROM PADDLING WORKSHOP TO BOAT LAUNCH After the Workshop you will need to drop your boat at Boat Drop: Directions to Boat Drop: Return to U.S. 280, turn left (east) and proceed 0.1 mile to Hill St. Turn right and go one block to Tattnall St. (Ga. 147). Turn right and continue on Ga. 147 six miles to intersection with Ga. 178. Continue straight on Ga. 147 four miles and turn left on Ga. 147 (Ga. 178 continues straight). Proceed on Ga. 147 8.5 miles to U.S. 1. Turn left on U.S. 1 and proceed three miles to Deens Landing Road on the right. Turn right and proceed 0.9 mile. At 0.9 mile bear to right, staying on Deen’s Landing Road. Proceed 0.5 mile and bear to left, continuing on Deen’s Landing Road. Proceed 0.3 mile to entrance to boat landing on the right. NEW KICK OFF SHUTTLE CONSIDERATIONS In order to ensure that paddlers taking the June 15 Kick Off Shuttle (and wishing to drop their boats at our initial boat launch at Deen’s Landing) have ample time to reach Darien for the shuttle back to our Tattnall County High School, a Paddle Georgia attendant will be stationed at the Deen’s Landing boat launch beginning at 9 a.m. on June 15. Should you have any questions, please contact Joe Cook at 706-409-0128 or Georgia River Network at 706-549-4508. A revised information packet is online at http://www.garivers.org/paddle_georgia/2012/pgregistered2012.html  (You may need to hit the “refresh” button on your internet browser to see the “revised” file.) Joe Cook Paddle Georgia Coordinator 303 East 5th Ave. Rome, GA 30161 706-235-1170 706-409-0128 Sponsors – Georgia Power, Hennessey Land Rover, Patagonia, Johnson Outdoors, Mohawk Carpet Foundation, The Outside World, Dock Supply, Cedar Creek RV & Outdoor Center, Stream Techs, Coca-Cola Refreshments, China Clay Producers Association, The Rain Barrel Depot Partners – Georgia Canoe Association, Altamaha Riverkeeper, Georgia Adopt-A-Stream, Project Wet, City of Darien, Altamaha River Partnership, Wayne County Board of Tourism

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Participate in the Canoeathon!   Dear Paddle Georgia Participants: It’s not too late!  With less than 35 days remaining until we embark on our Paddle Georgia journey, there is still plenty of time to sign up and participate in Paddle Georgia Canoe-A-Thon.  You will be raising money to support river protection efforts throughout Georgia and earning great prizes too.  We already have 33 Paddle Georgia participants signed up to participate in Canoe-A-Thon – will you sign up too?  It’s easy to do – just click the link below to get started.  Participants last year raised over $20,000 – if they can do it, you can too! This year, our goal is to raise $30,000 to support river protection programs throughout Georgia.  We are off to a great start, having already raised over $9,000 – and now all we need is your participation.  Go to  http://www.garivers.org/paddle_georgia/pgcanoeathon.html to learn how…

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