When I started blogging more than a year ago, my intention was to write weekly for 1 year. It’s 47 posts later and I feel accomplished. But it doesn’t mean the adventures stop. I decided to continue, albeit at a once a month pace. I’ll post the monthly out of town trips/adventures. Using October as a marker, we hit the highway on adventures 9 times last year. This upcoming year looks to be even busier.
Most parts of the country are putting their boats up for the year. Not here in AZ. Our boating season goes from late October until early May. I usually go the 3rd week of Oct. when the irrigation in the Verde Valley is being cut back. This year Jacelle had homecoming obligations @ the U of AZ, so we backed off a week.
Last weekend we hit the 18 mile Wild and Scenic section of the Verde with dogs in tow. I’ve been down this stretch numerous times in all conditions over the years. Starting in 2008 I choose the Oct. date and Veteran’s weekend in Nov. as times to go where the weather is mild, the flow is up and we’re in solitude. So yup, there’s another trip upcoming.
It’s funny how changing schedule a week can bring change. A late fall storm brought cooler temps and higher river flow. Normally we’d be floating 120 cfs or so, we had 195 cfs on Friday tapering off to 165 cfs by Sunday. More flow meant not only did we travel faster, but rock gardens and obstacles were also somewhat submerged. There’s also 4 portage spots that are quick and easy and ensure that we don’t flip in rapids sending the pups swimming.
The only complaint was Maggie and the cockleburs. The burrs brushed off Kona’s short hair, no harm no foul. But Maggie was another story, her with the non-shedding curly reddish blond hair. The river banks are loaded and every time we stopped for a break, Mags nabbed a bunch, mostly in her tail, or on her floppy ears. Then she’d be a good girl and patiently wait as we’d struggle to pull the little bastards out. Funny though, our 2 camps were pretty much burr free.
We came up on a 3 seat 17′ Dagger that was broke in half floating forlornly in the pool below Towel Creek. Our speculation was that the wahoo’s must have been swept over the falls, breaking up the canoe. They probably climbed out there and walked out. The boat meanwhile slowly made it’s way down to where we found it. Dexter and the forest service crew will take came of it in due time.
There’s always a story behind the wreck
Day 2 was nice temps, mid to high 70’s, and sunny with no wind. Stellar. We did 9.5 miles in 4 hours, which is good time considering we had 3 major rapids and lots of minor obstacles as well as the dogs to contend with. But we were on our game and pulled into camp by 2pm. Being on a warm sandy beach with the river playing melody in the background was a slice of heaven.
All set up and no place we’d rather be
Sunday morning we were on the river by 8am. Our routine puts us down @ takeout by 10ish or so, even if we stop @ the hot springs. Again we made good time, and were past the hot springs heading to Child’s campground with plenty of time to spare. Being the initial trip of the season, we often encounter change to the river and routes we’ve come to know as dependable. With one little tricky spot to go, I boofed.
This spot has had changes over the years. Regardless, it’s tight, narrow, brushy and tricky. As we came up on it, I stood up in the boat and got a good look. My 1st instinct was a slot off to the right. In the past, you’d have to fight river bush as the current would pull you into it. The better way was to drift a little higher and then drop before it became too rocked up. I chose what I knew over my instincts. I should have listened to myself.
As I got set to drop it all looked good. Then as I dropped I realized the shelf had been pushed downriver spreading the rock out into a boulder field, something I couldn’t see from up above. Too late to change direction. I slammed into a huge rock. I leaned up, Maggie leaned down, allowing water into the boat. I realized then that I was pinning and in danger of losing the boat altogether. A boat full of water pinned on a rock by current is a formula for disaster.
I jumped out and started pulling for all I was worth. At 1st it wouldn’t budge. Then it gave a little, then a little more. I was running on adrenaline. My Mad River was about to become a monument for all hiking to the hot springs to see. Then I was half off and I was able to fulcrum the canoe downriver. It weighed a ton as I steered it toward the shallows and Jacelle waiting to help, Maggie still in the boat. I was spent, but at least the river gods hadn’t bested me. I had my boat. A quick inspection told me the boat was still worthy, but banged and dinged up a bit. We continued on the last 1/2 mile to Child’s and Matt with my truck.
Once home I fully inspected my girl and had to use JB Weld to repair 2 good dents on either side. I also had a slight crease from pulling it off the rock as well as a bunch of scrapes. I also had to patch some cracking I’m getting on the rear stern floor inside. Oh well, she is 9 yrs. old, but despite the mishap, still good to go. Upon viewing my GoPro video, I counted 22 seconds or so from the point of pin to when I had the canoe free. Any longer and I’d be telling a different story.
So I got to thinking. Royalex, the choice material of our multi-day tripping boats is no longer being made. It’s a shame, because it’s tough, mid weight, and durable enough to take a beating and still come back for more. Only time and wear reduces its worthiness. A few outfits like We-No-Nah Canoes stockpiled it and are able to manufacture boats for a limited time yet. Mad River is done, all their Royalex is gone and the canoes in stores for sale. I did an on-line search and found a place in Virginia with a few 15′ Mad River Explorer’s in stock.
His-n-Hers
Mad River discontinued my boat, the 15′ Legend, a descendant from Dagger days. They are without question the best boats for what we do. Unable to find another one, even used, I turned to the Explorer. It’s basically the same canoe, with the hulls being slightly different. Knowing that in the near future finding a great shape/new Mad River Royalex 15′ canoe would be damn near impossible, I bought a new one from the Appomattox River CO. Hopefully I’m set for the next decade or so, as my Legend still has life and I now have the next canoe in storage ready to go when the Legend is done. And the cycle of life continues on the river.
Oh, by the way, Maggie the Doodle and Kona the Rottweiler had the time of their lives paddling down the river. Mags will probably go in 2 weeks again, now about those damn cockleburs……
Tuckered out after a day of fun
Old Pueblo Pedal & Paddle 