JAMES RIVER CAMPING AND RAFTING

JAMES RIVER CAMPING AND RAFTING ADVENTURE

Sept 2011

OUR FIRST CAMPING TRIP: This camping trip, our first camping trip was 21 years in the making. Why did it take so long; I have no idea. Michele has always wanted to go camping but I was to busy with other hobbies, Golfing, RC Airplanes, Hot rods and about any other reason I could think of. Why my diversion to camping?…I guess it all comes down to I really had no idea how to camp. And to be honest, I’m a little scared of bears.

The days prior to our first adventure…Michele was just plain gitty with anticipation for our trip. She would awake each morning with a big smile and a statement, “3 days until we go camping,” “2 days until we go camping,” and finally “today, we finally get to go camping.” For our first camping trip we planned for a location which was not to far away from home, we settled on a rafting/tubing adventure out of Scottsville, Va and a Mom and Pop’s camp site called Horse Shoe Flats. As it would turn out this was the perfect first trip, an excellent outing and a great shake-down trip. After work on Friday, Michele, Hanna and I (Anthony had to work) headed out on the open road. And I have to admit, driving the 1 ton diesel dually, I felt like an over the road trucker.

We arrived at our camp site after about an hour and a half, and the first extended driving time on our rig. The owners, Richard and Peggy, greeted us, and Peggy helped me hook-up while answering a few rookie questions with a smile and a big warm hug. Setting up the truck camper for the first time went without issue, and within 15 minutes we had everything in its place and we were ready to relax. And relax we did…a few Mikes Hard Lemonades later and we were singing Karaoke to Johnny Cash and John Denver. (I really don’t condone drinking and singing) All in all our first night felt more like hanging out with friends then camping on our first solo adventure.

DAY ONE: We woke up to Peggy’s roosters welcoming in the dawn…a good first night in our camper….no leaks, no air conditioning issues, everything was perfect. Once all the sleep was worked out of our eyes and we had our morning snack, I set off on an run while Michele hung out and had her morning cup of coffee. I’ve read a number of times that the best way to experience a town is to run the streets. Michele on the other hand had made a date with Peggy to go to a local farmers market.

I set off around 7 in the morning and really had no idea where I was going. I ran the streets of Scottsville, found an old tire factory dating back to WWII, then before I knew it I was making my halfway turn at Totier Creek Park, 4 miles out of town. To say I picked a hilly course for my run, surely is an understatement. The hill climbs out and back were a monster, but banging away at each hill I was able to keep up a good pace and complete my run. Over the course of 8 miles, I was able to run along some very nice country roads, witnessed some beautiful scenery, view some stunning country homes and chatted with a few grazing cows along the way. GOD sure makes some beautiful sights…and in each we get but a small glimpse of what this world could have been.

Michele had a successful shopping trip and brought home some wonderful local treats including wonderful home baked goodies; sugar cookies, peanut butter cookies, and granola bars. The rest of the day we spent refining our camp set up, relaxing, playing with Hanna our “puppy camper” and just enjoyed our surroundings

(Base camp for the weekend)

(Dinner in Scottsville, Va)

Saturday night we walked over to Scottsville to check out the sights of this small country town. Scottsville is a historic town located on the Horseshoe Bend of the scenic James River in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. From its founding in 1744, in Albemarle County, Virginia, Scottsville has been a vibrant community. A bustling port of commerce in colonial times, today Scottsville’s winding streets and fine old homes make it a great place to visit.

We walked around the town taking in the historic postings of the flood waters which over took the town in years gone by. We later found out that Scottsville has been flooded several times due to its proximity to the James River. Since 1870, Scottsville has been the victim of twenty-one floods. At one point Michele and I stopped at a city park which had a monument to the height of the past flood waters. It’s hard to truly understand when you hear the news report flood waters of 10, 20 or even 30 feet above normal, but this standing next to this marker, put the height of the attacking waters into perspective.

After completing our walk, our bellies began speaking to us, and they were telling us it was time for dinner. Michele and I settled into a local bar/restaurant with our own private window seat. I ordered a pizza and Michele had the fish and chips. For a small little town, this was a nice night out and the food was good, thanks to Nicole for telling us a few local tales and taking our picture. After dinner was complete, we went for ice cream. Perfect night.......

DAY TWO: Michele planned a tubing trip on the James River. Early Sunday morning we walked over to Reeling and Rafting to get ourselves all signed up for the morning trip. Right on the dot at 10 a.m. we loaded up into the company van and were hauled out to the launching spot…some 4 miles up the river. On the ride out we struck up a conversation with the other couple in the van, and as crazy as it could be, turns out they were from the Va Beach area as well….small world. Arriving at the river we saddled up our tubes and took the plunge into the river. AND oh was the water cold, the rafting people failed to mention we launched at the site of a fresh water spring, the water had to be 20 degrees colder. The high pitch screams had to scare the population and the wild life for miles around.

Over the next three and a half hours we floated down the James and enjoyed some great sites. At one point we came across a local couple who was kayaking together and fishing for small mouth bass. It was fun to watch them work the river in an attempt to land some big fish. At one point when we were floating backwards down the river, the girl called out to her boyfriend/husband “look at the Bald Eagle.” This call out provided us with a great warning, Michele and I were able to turn around in time to see this great bird glide across the river. What a wonderful and majestic sight and a once in a life-time memory.

(Day two dinner)

(View of the home/camp store of our hosts)

Sunday night: Michele and I had a wonderful dinner, steaks and potatoes skins. Our deserts were a combination of smores and roasted marshmallows, then we just hung out together, enjoying the love we have for one another and enjoying the first adventure of many in our Truck Camper…the beginning of Brian and Michele’s Excellent Adventures.