Great US Road Tripping - Southeast, Rockies, and the Pacific Northwest.
Three and a half weeks, two oil changes, a change of tires, thousands of miles, nineteen states, and a maximum of maybe five showers, Kiffy and I finally arrived back in Minneapolis last night around 1am. Both of us commented numerous times on how flat Minnesota seemed and how eager we were to escape up to the north and south shores of Lake Superior to further extend the kayaking season. Having had continual snowfall and cold weather well into Spring, this whitewater kayaking season for the Midwest will not only be of epic proportion, but possibly one of the best in history. What better way to begun such a season in this region than to have had the time of your life, road tripping and kayaking all over the continental United States! Needless to say both of us feel great and are ready to tackle whatever the shores have in store.
That being said, the trip was amazing, probably one of the best, if not thee best I’ve ever been on. I’m going to break down the specific regions with some major points of interest, people met, etc.
Southeast
Basing ourselves out of Asheville, NC at Kiffy’s good friends, Zach and Tracy Bannow, we shook off the kayaking rust with runs on the Russel Fork in Kentucky/Virginia, the infamous classic Green Narrows in North Carolina, and Bear Creek in Northern Georgia. Highlights of the southeast included great technical whitewater, the atypical southern personalities, and every so pleasant warm weather that both John and I so desperately needed.
Having been to the Southeast numerous times in my childhood, I was presently surprised with the gorgeous Appalachian mountains, especially with how the semi-rugged landscape created a mother-lode of quality steep kayaking. Also impressive was the generous and infamous southern hospitality. Ranging from basing ourselves out of Zach and Tracy’s home to cruising down the river with people we’d never met prior, the rumors pertaining to the generousness of those south are definitely those of truth.
Moments to Remember:
1) Running the Green Narrows numerous times, including the big three rapids: Go Left and Die, Gorilla, and Sunshine. While often scared of out mind, it was an amazing feeling to look back on the beautiful stretch of river and smile. Photo: Running Gorilla
2) Sleeping in the bathroom of the Russel Fork takeout, which was only sweetened by the morning janitor witnessing Kiffy and I sleeping on the relatively warm floor with our sleeping bags and mats. When the weather gets foul, we hit the john.
3) Meeting John’s good friends in Asheville, namely: Travis, Alexis, Zach, Tracy, Jen Cribs, Jeb, Mefford, the Pyranha crew, Mandie, only to name a few. I know I’m missing some and apologize. These people definitely brought humor, fun, and generosity to this region of the trip. Also, it shows that just because you are bit older, doesn’t mean you can’t have fun…. 
4) Compressing my spine on Bear Creek our last day of kayaking in the South. While kayaking off a twenty foot waterfall name Big Bang, I was deceived by the landing site and landed flat on a rock compressing my spine. Unable to move and scared out of my mind, I was pulled into the eddy by John who helped me pull it together and ultimately finish the run. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Regardless, I’ve never been so scared of injuring myself permanently until then. Photo: Right before compressing my spine.
Utah and the Rockies
Nursing a spinal injury and leaving a relatively dry south, John and I conceived that it would be prudent to travel across country to Oregon in hopes to kayak with numerous friends that have transplanted out there long ago. Deciding to take a week to make the long journey, we opted to stop in Denver and spend a couple of days with Korinne Krieger, an old college friend of mine. While in Denver we multi-pitched rock climbed in Boulder Canyon, toured/sampled the Coors and Golden City breweries and camped at relatively shotty campsite on the outskirts of Denver.
Skipping an Chiropractor appointment in order to further continue, John and I then continued to Moab, Utah where we found ample information and beta on the local canyoneering in the area. Having a wild night just outside of town, we awoke the next morning venturing to the San Rafael Swell where we spent five hours hiking, squeezing and rappelling through numerous slot canyons called Baptist Draw.
Moments to Remember:
1) Kansas really sucks to drive across.
2) Climbing, partying, and enjoying the company of Korinne Krieger and her friend Mike. In one day we, multipitched rock climbed, toured two breweries, had a ranging bonfire and party, danced until we feel asleep, and went to a museum. Good people, good times. Mike is one of more hysterical people I’ve ever met.
3) Utah- Aside from only having one liquor store per town and selling 3.2% beer everywhere, this state has some of the most beautiful mountains, desert, and wildlife both John and I have ever seen. From massive elk herds crossing the road to rappelling into a seventy foot slot canyon, Utah was a blast and nice break from kayaking.
Pacific Northwest
Hands down, the best part of the trip, the Pacific Northwest! Oregon was finally on the radar and after a night of listening to a cook inform us about all the technicalities with growing medicinal marijuana while keeping within Oregon state laws, we finally arrived at our almost final destination, Hood River, Oregon. Staying at Nate and Heather Herbeck’s house across the Columbia river in BZ, Washington, we hit river after river, shocked by the beauty and intensive nature of the Pacific Northwest. Coupled with the best day of my life, a river race, and hucking a gigantic thirty five foot waterfall, we forced ourselves to finally leave the region yesterday, already having postponed our original plans by five days.
Moments to Remember:
1) The Pacific Northwest, namely southern Washington, the Columbia river gorge, and northern Oregon are all amazingly beautiful. Lush rainforests, mountains, volcanoes, and deep gorges all make up this awe inspiring landscape.
2) People: The Oregon/g boating community is wonderful. Hard boaters, fun people, and the aim to always have a good time still make me kick myself for leaving. Namely:
Jason Schroder: The funniest man ever. I could barely stay right side up in my kayak because he had me laughing so hard. “BALLER DUDE!!!” was heard all the time.
Allen: Happy, enjoyable, and a great paddler. Allen has a wrap around couch in the back of his truck. How sweet is that!
Eli: Tony’s roommate, great steepcreeker, and a fun guy from Colorado. Fun to party with, booming laugh, well-travelled, and a former rugby player.
Joanna: Beautiful, red-haired, travelling nurse originally from Ohio that now works in the Portland area. I met Joanna at pint night, found that she was new to paddling, and ended up dancing the night away at the Canyon Creek Race after party. A wonderful woman.
Mike: Ran canyon creek with twice in one day Really rad, long-haired dude, and seemed to be everywhere, from partying to creeking. Just a great guy to be around.
Monica and Kate: Friends, great kayakers, and wonderful people to hang out with. Monica accompanied Kiffy and I on our hike and huck to Punchbowl Falls on Eagle Creek, taking some stunning photos. Having come off kayaking in South America months prior, Monica fired up hard waterfalls and rapids with us on Copper Creek. Kate, formerly from South Dakota was simply a peach and let us stay the night in her place.
3) The Rivers: Strap ‘em up! The Pacific Northwest is intense and extremely powerful water. Kiffy and I kayaked every day we where there but one. The quality whitewater is as abundant as the beauty. Our memorable runs included: Green Truss, Little White Salmon, Farmlands and Middle Sections of the White Salmon, Canyon Creek, Copper Creek, and Punchbowl Falls on Eagle Creek.
More pictures available on my Picasa gallery, movie coming soon, and further kayak specific genre on my kayakboatriding blog.
Twas a fabulous trip! Here’s to a better one coming up!
