June 2013, The goal of any overnight family outing is to have fun, this is not an endurance event, and we're not looking for the most difficult weather to test our gear. There are many factors we can't control and we can take many things in stride, but one miserable trip and the state of mind changes from the possibility of adventure to the possibility of being miserable.
Our plan was to canoe from Baptist to Akers with an overnight just past Cedar Grove. We couldn't have created a better day on the Current River. The river gauge was perfect for a packed canoe at 1.62, it was sunny, warm and not many people on the water. We took our time playing in the water, jumping off rocks, identifying animal tracks and watching King Fishers do their thing.
About two hours into our outing thunder echoed in the distance, bringing our attention to the sky in time to notice some threatening clouds on the horizon.. As the afternoon passed, the thunder rolled in closer and the clouds shaded the sun. The air shook with such force we felt the need to got off the water for precautionary reasons and took shelter. Rain began, picking up momentum and soon our vision was affected by the sheet of water falling from the sky. After an hour of waiting out the rain and lightening we paddled in varying states of rain. Our canoe gathered water, creating a miniature lake, it's times like these that you get really good at loading and unloading the canoe. Wet and chilled by the rain we wished for warmth but the sun didn't look like it would make its presence felt. We decided to pull of the water at our last possible chance to do so before looking for camp. The canoe vendor helped us with our car shuttle was picking up canoeists ending their float. We spoke to them and they had room to take our canoe off the river and get us back to our car.
Soon we were warm and happy, although the sun did greet us once again after we were off the water. I'd rather make a err on the side of caution with some smiles than make the family tough it out. These trips are made to bring us together and have fun!
Our plan was to canoe from Baptist to Akers with an overnight just past Cedar Grove. We couldn't have created a better day on the Current River. The river gauge was perfect for a packed canoe at 1.62, it was sunny, warm and not many people on the water. We took our time playing in the water, jumping off rocks, identifying animal tracks and watching King Fishers do their thing.
About two hours into our outing thunder echoed in the distance, bringing our attention to the sky in time to notice some threatening clouds on the horizon.. As the afternoon passed, the thunder rolled in closer and the clouds shaded the sun. The air shook with such force we felt the need to got off the water for precautionary reasons and took shelter. Rain began, picking up momentum and soon our vision was affected by the sheet of water falling from the sky. After an hour of waiting out the rain and lightening we paddled in varying states of rain. Our canoe gathered water, creating a miniature lake, it's times like these that you get really good at loading and unloading the canoe. Wet and chilled by the rain we wished for warmth but the sun didn't look like it would make its presence felt. We decided to pull of the water at our last possible chance to do so before looking for camp. The canoe vendor helped us with our car shuttle was picking up canoeists ending their float. We spoke to them and they had room to take our canoe off the river and get us back to our car.
Soon we were warm and happy, although the sun did greet us once again after we were off the water. I'd rather make a err on the side of caution with some smiles than make the family tough it out. These trips are made to bring us together and have fun!