Was that a banjo I heard?!?

The first annual Gashouse river kayak/canoe/hoe down session happened on Saturday and fun was eventually had by all. YHC put it out on the calendar early in the year and posted on the comms networks leading up to the event. That was enough to bring out four PAX and one 2.0 for the event.

Reservations were attempting to be made leading up to the event but it was hard to get a handle on how many would show. YHC was gestimating 3-5 but there was no real way to know for sure #showtoknow . At the 11th hour JK2 contacted me to announce he had 6 kayaks, vests, paddles and anything else we’d need for our adventure. Score!

Once JK2 pulled up we all picked our ride and unloaded. After we got situated, YHC was first in the water, then Roscoe and Little Ceasar in their double, then JK2. We were having a good time getting used to the boats while the self proclaimed “experienced” kayaker fiddled with his boat. After several attempts at straining and grunting to get his foot setup right, Tesla had to deploy his secret weapon…JK2. Big fella figured out how to get the thing right and we were ready to roll. We thought… Tesla, being experienced, decided to take a sliding start into the river from the top of the put-in while already seated in his kayak. Sounded like a cool way to get things going. In actuality, it was a great way to cool Tesla off because upon entry he immediately listed to the right, flipped over and had to bail before he drowned. It was pretty freakin’ funny I do have to say! Once he regained his composure are emptied the water out of his ride we were finally ready to go.

The Q decided the party would head downriver because it had more bends and things to look at compared to the upstream route. It was a great day for being on the water and we made it all the way down to the Buster Boyd Bridge on Lake Wylie. Just kidding, it only seemed like it. We actually went down to one of the piers the city has built for fishing and what not, but it was still a 30 minute paddle. We saw some nice wildlife on the river and it was really nice being slightly away from the normal stuff we do. Going back upstream was harder of course but nothing a fit F3 man can’t handle. Roscoe had turned back a little early since he was moving some extra weight and of course beat us all back to the dock in plenty of time.

For a first run I’d say the kayaking trip was a hit. Next time let’s get some more men out there.

July’s outing will be to the Green River west of Shelby for tubing! Let’s talk it up and get a good caravan of clown cars for this trip!!!

Thank you for letting me serve as the 2nd F Q men. It’s a blast!!!