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This was one of the hardest days on the river that I have ever had. The day started out pretty at Bent Creek. The water was really low. I was on board the batteau "Thomas Jefferson's Spirit of New London". We had trouble from the very first rapid, studying it a long time and finally going a ways and getting out and walking the boat through. This went on all day, getting out and pushing.......1-2-3-PUSH!! A couple of boards got loose and we sprang some bad leaks. We fixed them the best we could, but they kept leaking again after hitting more rocks. Finally, the batteau "Lady's Slipper" helped us a long while when we were stuck real bad. No luck moving the boat. The "Abandon Ship" statement was made so to speak. We decided to pull out. It was going on 6:30 and we hadn't even gotten to the State Park yet (2 more miles approx). Luckily we were beside a field that wasn't far from the road. Steve Groseclose from the batteau "Lord Chesterfield" came to our rescue! He brought a kayak across the river and took an elderly gentleman in the kayak while he and the gentleman's wife held on and carried the kayak across the river. The State Park rescue raft also came up and helped the rest of the crew across with our personal items such as wallets and keys and clothes (and my camera), etc. Thank you State Park rescue team! We left the boat for the night. Many crews stopped at the State Park. Only 8 or 9 boats got to Wingina and several of those got in real late. Luckily the food vendor saved some supper! Everyone was real tired, but not too tired to sing Happy Birthday to Nancy Trout and eat cake. Wingina was peaceful on Monday night. The only one who got hurt badly was Seth from the Brunswick Belle. He broke his foot. Katy from the batteau "Grace of the James" left with Mason to go to the doctor after their boat made it to Wingina in good shape. She had some chest pains and someone said she had a caugh but she had no batteau injuries, just normal getting ready to have a baby type of pains. We all are looking forward to hearing when she has the baby. It could be any day now. So the batteau festival continues on in fine tradition. Some days are easy, some are tough, but they are all good! Holt
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Three boats hung up in the first rapid! |
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