Paddle Georgia 2014 Day 5: Dog River Trot

After the short day on the river yesterday, paddlers were excited to spend a full day today paddling 17 miles on the Chattahoochee through southwest Metro Atlanta and beyond…

The Scholarship Teacher group continued their training with ichthyologist Camm Swift learning how to seine for fish and macro invertebrates. Skills they will take home to their respective schools and teach to their students.

Unfortunately the torrential rains from the previous evening caught some campers off guard, including the youth group and their tents and contents within were completely soaked. However, you would have never guessed that today – with all of the singing that could be heard down the river.

Dog Creek Reservoir, reached from paddling up a small tributary, was an interesting special tour and a refreshing and relatively clean swimming area for those folks who were wary of taking a dip in the Chattahoochee south of Atlanta.­­

Flowers painted the riverbanks  throughout the day’s journey- Swamp Hibiscus, Trumpet Vine, Queen Anne’s Lace – to name a few

Butterflies and dragonflies fluttered from canoe to kayak, looking for a bit of sweet nectar, salts and minerals.

Some lucky paddlers reported seeing beavers and we saw a beautiful Green Heron for the first time on the journey.

The sun’s warmth and wide lazy river lulled some to sleep while adrift.

We arrived sooner than anticipated and headed off to our new home at Newnan High school.

Cedar Creek RV & Outdoor Center set up a 17,000 gallon pool on the square in downtown Newnan for the famous Canoe Tug-o-War; street vendors and non-profits had information booths set up; and a band and DJ entertained the crowd as they boogied down with great enthusiasm.

What a fabulous way to end our 5th day on Paddle Georgia!

See y’all tomorrow!

 

keep on rollin’ down the river~

Gwyneth Moody

 

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Paddle Georgia Day 4: Atlanta Allemande

Although we awoke to cool temperatures and overcast skies it was a nice respite from the hot steamy weather of the last few days.

Today was a particularly special day on Paddle Georgia as it is the one day that we invite professionals and legislators to join us on the paddle and get a taste for the adventure and all our river restoration and protection programs.

We were delighted and honored to be joined by Michelle Nunn, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate from Georgia as well as representatives from watershed coalitions and environmental groups throughout the state.

This was also our ‘Trash Cleanup Day’ led by Trash Queen Bonny Putney. In the 10.5 mile stretch that we paddled- the shortest day on the water- paddlers collected a whopping 2500 lbs of trash!

And boy did we find some interesting, hilarious, strange, and scary things. From a larger than life-sized Bart Simpson, a Big Wheel tire, balls of all sports and sizes to crates, tires, old glass bottles and creepy baby dolls. It’s amazing what finds itself in the river.

But amongst all the trash, we found wildlife such as an adorable baby soft shell turtle as well as fascinating artifacts such as pottery shards, arrow heads, and milk glass.

The Chattahoochee Riverkeeper team was instrumental in helping gather the large amount of trash overflowing from paddler’s kayaks and canoes with their snazzy motor boat.

Believe it or not, after 4 full days of paddling there were many pouty paddlers, who upon arriving at the take out wished that the day on the river was not over so soon.

Café Campesino’s delicious Ice Mochas and Fresh Fruit Smoothies awaited the sun-kissed paddlers – the perfect way to ease into a lazy afternoon in a hammock with a book at Riverside Landing on the banks of the mighty Hooch.

Although the rain returned with a vengeance in the late afternoon, this didn’t put a damper on dinner and the informative ‘Politics of Water’ evening program.

It seems to just keep getting better with each passing day.

So glad to share it with everyone!

Keep on rollin’ on the river,

Gwyneth Moody

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Ichawaynochoway Waltz ~Twirl Me Down the Flint

We could not have asked for a more beautiful day on the river with gorgeous blue skies, intermittent puffy clouds, and the perfect cool breeze.

Upon arriving at the Put-In, our attention was quickly drawn to a display by the Department of Natural Resources who were giving awe-inspiring information about the fascinating fishes and mussels that live in the Flint, which they had seined from the river the previous evening.

Adopt A Stream and the Environmental Protection Division have been collecting water quality data at every tributary and spring entering the main channel and are now up to a total of 80 sites sampled! We are so grateful to have such an awesome team  involved with Paddle Georgia and to learn about the water quality of the river in which we swim and fish.

We were greeted by staff of the Jones Ecological Research Center along the way. A few staff had just gathered mussels and other organisms from the river bottom and were still in their wetsuits, while others gave educational tours and presentations about the Longleaf pine ecosystem, essential to the survival of many species of wildlife, such as the Gopher tortoise and Red-Cockaded woodpecker.

The trees on this section were exceptionally large and majestic, towering over you like giant gnomes with pointy hats.

The morning forays of raccoon, mink and deer were imprinted in the muddy riverbank along with the yummy clams they had pried open for a delicious snack.

After frolicking in the shoals and whirlpools and exploring the many islands formed from the dredging that occurred by the Army Corp in the early 1800’s to facilitate steamboat passage, we reached the cool, clear, and tannin rich Ichawaynochoway Creek- which almost looked like red tea.

The evening was filled with laughter and cheers of joy as paddlers teamed up to play the game shows ‘Family Feud & Paddle Wet’ Paddle Georgia style.

Excited about boppin’ in blue holes tomorrow!

Keep on rollin’ down the river….

Gwyneth Moody

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Don’t Miss the Boat! Register for the Chattahoochee Hidden Gems Paddle ~ May 18th

Have you REGISTERED for the CHATTAHOOCHEE HIDDEN GEMS PADDLING TRIP- MAY 18th?

Take a behind the scenes look at the work horse of Atlanta with not only an awe-inspiring presentation about this sections history – but also fascinating presentations on the wildlife that resides here and ways that you can get involved in water quality monitoring and river cleanups in your community.

Where: Chattahoochee River in Southwest Metro Atlanta (The stretch we are paddling is 13.1 miles and has beginner class 1 rapids).
When: Saturday, May 18th ~ 8AM – 5PM
Cost:     
$50 ~ Includes Boat Rental, Lunch, and ACA Insurance ($35 kids- 18 and under)
$25 ~ Includes Lunch and ACA Insurance, Bring your own Boat
$15 ~ Includes ACA Insurance, Bring your own Boat and Lunch

May 18th… It’s gonna be AWESOME!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR GOOD TIMES…

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Join Altamaha Riverkeeper for a Paddle on Cathead Creek in Darien (on the GA coast)! May 11th

Go Coastal with Altamaha Riverkeeper for a Paddle on Cathead Creek in Darien! May 11th…

Paddle through Pierce Butler’s old abandoned rice fields and a tidal forest – teaming with wildlife. You will encounter old growth cypress, tupelo, and wildflowers.

Guide extraordinaire, Danny Grissette, with Altamaha Coastal Tours will lead the paddle on Saturday, May 11.

The adventure begins at 10 am at Skipper’s Fish Camp Restaurant parking lot – just off Hwy 17.  Danny will give a short kayaking lesson before the leisurely 2 ½ hour paddle.

The trip, suitable for beginners and children, is offered at a special price of $35 per person. Space is limited. Call Constance at (912) 437-8164 asap or email: cor@altamahariverkeeper.org to reserve your space, a tandem or single kayak, canoe, or bring your own.

After the paddle, (approximately 1:00-1:30), Skipper’s has reserved the Oyster Bar deck overlooking the river for our lunch (Dutch Treat). We look forward to having you join us; it’s a chance to meet some new friends, trade paddle stories, and find out what ARK is doing to protect our rivers.

Help Support Altamaha Riverkeeper’s work with a donation today.  Please donate at http://www.altamahariverkeeper.org

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PADDLE GEORGIA 2013 has SOLD OUT in a record 24 hours!

PADDLE GEORGIA 2013 has SOLD OUT!

To be added to the wait list go to: http://paddlega13waitlist.eventbrite.com

For more exciting adventures with GRN – Mark your calendar for our 4 Seasons Hidden Gems Paddling Events:

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Paddle GA Registration is Now Open!

A Project of Georgia River Network Paddle Georgia 2013 on the Lower Flint!                                REGISTER HERE!!! Paddle Georgia Friends,We know how much you LOVE Georgia’s rivers and Paddle Georgia, and to celebrate that LOVE, we thought it would be appropriate on Valentine’s Day to let you know that Paddle Georgia 2013 registration is now OPEN! If you haven’t heard the news yet – Paddle Georgia 2013 will take place on the lower Flint River – from Warwick to Bainbridge – June 15-21, 2013. Read Joe’s most recent blog post for all the details. It’s going to be another GREAT trip, and it’s going to be a hot ticket.Registration will be open until all the spaces are filled. There will be 350 spaces available for thru-paddlers this year. Last year, we sold out in just two weeks – so please register before we sell out.   Watch our Fun Lovin’ Paddle Georgia 2013 Registration Video: http://youtu.be/hZcqVIB1v-w We will also have a limited number of Paddle Georgia Lite 2013 spaces that will be available by invitation only to our supporters, special guests, and by lottery. Paddle Georgia Lite is our abbreviated trip for just the first two days of Paddle Georgia – June 15-16. If you would like to be considered for a Paddle Georgia Lite invitation this year please fill out the request form at this link by April 1, 2013 and we’ll put you in the pool. Invitations will be extended by April 12. AND, A VERY EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT! Canoe-A-Thon 2013 participants will be eligible for a very special reward for helping us accomplish two important goals of Paddle Georgia – introducing more people to our beautiful rivers and raising more money to protect these precious resources. Canoe-A-Thon 2013 participants who raise at least $200 will be GUARANTEED A SPOT ON PADDLE GEORGIA 2014* by being eligible to register during a special PRIORITY REGISTRATION period before regular open registration begins in Feb. 2014 for Paddle Georgia 2014 – our 10 Year Anniversary Trip and return to the Chattahoochee River where it all began. To learn more about Canoe-A-Thon and sign up for Canoe-A-Thon 2013 go to: http://www.garivers.org/paddle_georgia/pgcanoeathon.html. *Be sure to click here and read all the specific rules and policies for Paddle Georgia 2014 Priority Registration. As always, there will be additional fabulous prizes for our top fundraisers. Finally, please consider making a special gift to Georgia River Network to support the tradition of enjoying and protecting our rivers in 2013. It’s easy to do by just clicking this link. We look forward to seeing you on the Flint in June! The Paddle Georgia/Georgia River Network Team 2013 Sponsors to Date – Georgia Power; Hennessy Land Rover Centres; Patagonia; Oglethorpe Power Corporation; StreamTechs; Cedar Creek RV and Outdoor Center; Cellairis ; Len Foote Hike Inn; Chambliss, Sheppard, Roland & Baxter LLP; China Clay Producers Association; Sea to Summit; The Outside World 2013 Partners to Date – Georgia Canoe Association, Flint Riverkeeper, Georgia Adopt-A-Stream, Project Wet ——————————————- Georgia River Network 126 South Milledge Ave. Suite E3, Athens, GA 30605 706-549-4508 http://www.garivers.org Become a Member Today – Join     Len Foote Hike Inn Chambliss, Sheppard, Roland & Baxter LLP

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The print edition of GRNs quarterly Newsletter CONFLUENCE is now available online… A MUST READ!

From Paddle Georgia news, River Spotlight, Upcoming events, and other goodies- Check it out!

http://www.garivers.org/files/confluence/jan2013.pdf

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This is the FINAL DAY to submit * YOUR FAVORITE PHOTO of 2012 * for GRN’s 2013 Monthly Photo Showcase and Staff Pick of the Month

Just in case you haven’t heard the word:

GRN is introducing the 2013 Monthly Photo Showcase and GRN Staff Pick of the Month!

This is the FINAL DAY to submit January’s Photo of:

* * *YOUR FAVORITE PHOTO of 2012 * *

Each month we will have a different theme and invite you to email us a photo that you think best represents the topic of the month. We will showcase everyone’s photos on our website and social media and one photo per month will receive the illustrious title of ‘GRN Staff Pick of the Month’ and the chosen photo’s author will receive a surprise token of gratitude.

So get those cameras poised and creative juices flowing. Email your photo submission to gwyneth@garivers.org.

Check out more details and a sneak peek of the 2013 Monthly Themes:
http://ow.ly/gKakg

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Kayaking for the Georgia Coast…November 2012

Kayaking for the Georgia Coast!!

During the first week in November, 2012, four businessmen will dedicate themselves to bringing awareness to the plight of the coast. To do so, they will set out on a 100-mile fundraising kayak trip along the entire Georgia Coast. Help support their effort, and bring awareness to the natural treasure that is Georgia’s Coast!

Join us and Save Georgia’s Coast! Save Georgia’s Coast is a group of organizations located near the coast of Georgia that have come together to protect our quality of life in coastal Georgia.  Our goal is to protect and preserve what makes coastal Georgia so special to those whom call it home.  Admired worldwide for their beauty and biological diversity, coastal Georgia’s saltwater marshes, freshwater wetlands, and freshwater flows have been increasingly impacted by the residential and commercial development that has irretrievably damaged so many other communities along the Eastern Seaboard. We are alarmed about unchecked development and water pollution along the coast.  We are working so we can continue to drink the water, eat the fish, and safeguard our rivers, marshes, and islands for future generations. We believe a strong economy and our quality of life are dependent upon a healthy environment.Eight non-profit organizations dedicated to the protection and restoration of Georgia’s coast comprise Save Georgia’s Coast. They are the: Altamaha Riverkeeper, Center for a Sustainable Coast, Glynn Environmental Coalition, Ogeechee Riverkeeper, Satilla Riverkeeper, Savannah Riverkeeper, Sierra Club, and Southern Environmental Law Center.  All of these groups have years of experience working on the coast, and special qualities that make them critical to the overall success of Save Georgia’s Coast.

Click here for Kayaking for the Georgia Coast Challenge!

About the Challenge

Doug Pettersen, Phillip Hodges, James Marlow and Allen Bradley are teaming up with Save Georgia’s Coast to bring further awareness to a subject that they each feel very passionately about: The fragile state of our Georgia Coast.During the first week in November, 2012 they will set out on a 100-mile fundraising kayak trip along the entire Georgia Coast. They will start the journey in Hilton Head, South Carolina, and will travel south along the Georgia Coast, winding their way through Georgia’s beautiful saltwater marshlands, past Tybee Island and Jekyll Island State Park, continuing on past Cumberland Island, which will then lead them to their final destination of Amelia Island, Florida.They are taking this tremendous opportunity not only to bring awareness to others concerning the continuous pollution and detrimental alterations being made to our Georgia Coast, but to also improve the future of Georgia’s marshlands and wetlands.Your sponsorship in support of their journey will allow Save Georgia’s Coast to continue in their ongoing efforts to protect and preserve Georgia’s coastal waterways, marshlands, and wetlands. 
Please make a pledge and support “Kayaking for the Georgia Coast” today!

The Players

About Doug:  Doug Pettersen developed a love for the outdoors through his climbing and mountaineering activities.  In that regard, he worked for many years as a professional guide for rock climbing and mountain climbing expeditions. Currently, Doug serves as a technical consultant to locate and operate video equipment at international athletic events. Doug views the kayak trip both as an opportunity to explore Georgia’s coast and to support environmental efforts on the Georgia coast.

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About Phillip:  Phillip Hodges is a partner with Ernst & Young LLP in Atlanta. Phillip and his family reside in the suburbs of Atlanta with close access to the Chattahoochee River.  As a native of rural North Georgia, his love for the outdoors and mountains started at an early age, and canoeing, kayaking and hiking are in his blood.  Coastal navigation and shucking oysters are new games to him.  Phillip is a graduate of the University of Georgia, is a member of the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, and is on the Advisory Board of ImagineIt! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta.

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About Allen: An avid outdoorsman, whenever Allen is not handling complex corporate legal matters as a member of the law firm of Stites & Harbinson,PLLC, he is  spending time with his wife and three children traveling across the country on wilderness camping and canoe  trips or hiking the Appalachian Trial. However, his passion for the environment doesn’t stop once he steps  into the office. As a Board Member of the Georgia Solar Energy Association, his dedication to renewable  energy and environmentally friendly alternative fuel sources is reflected in both his work and his outdoor activities.

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About James:  James Marlow is CEO of Radiance Solar and an avid paddler, sailor and conservationist. He is a member of the Advisory Board for the Savannah Riverkeeper and the Million Mile Greenway as well as a member of the Georgia Solar Energy Industry Association, and the Technology Association of Georgia Smart Energy Board of Directors.  He is a graduate of Georgia Southern University.

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