Buford Dam to Medlock Bridge

Today was spent on the river with a group of people we met last month from our paddle trip.  The first 8 miles were nice with clear water, good rapids and lots of herons flying in the air.  Once again, we had to dodge the fly fishing lines from the fishermen.    The last 9 miles were filled with  heavy rain and fog.  I didn't expect that kind of weather, but we made the best of it.  I had to dump my canoe a couple of times to empty it out! 
This picture of Dan was taken after we came thru "rescue rock"  rapid.  I looped around the other side and paddled up to snap it.  Made for an exciting time.  :)
At the end, we were wet and hungry, but still smiling from the adventure.  I just hope our next trip will be a little drier!

At the lake

 I spent the afternoon today at the lake enjoying the water and the sunshine. How nice it was to be out there! 
I'm in the process of looking for another boat and tried a few today.  I received some good advice from the individual in this picture about some of the different kayaks.  I was leaning toward a 14 footer, but tried a 17 foot Storm from Current Design that glided thru the water with ease.  That extra footage is great for storing cargo and quick paddling thru the water, but questionable when it comes to storage in the garage!  Or lifting it for that matter! 
Whatever I end up choosing, I'm sure as soon as it's put in the water, I'll have a great time out there using it.  :) 

 

 

 

 

I found this little frog hanging alongside my door window the other evening.  Was it hanging on for dear life?  :) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some think it's holding on that makes one strong; sometimes it's letting go.
            -- Sylvia Robinson  

The days of late have been extremely busy for me.  Sometimes I feel that I have too much going on and I can't find a space to just breathe.  The pull in many directions seem to make the days slip by.  Sometimes it's welcomed, sometimes not.  Today was no exception. I need, want, and dream....has it begun?   My thoughts go rampant as the minutes go by. 
But as I exhale, the smile on my face only widens. Letting go at the end of the day can be as simple as that.   Emotions just don't lie.           

Is this Carol?

When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us. 
--  Alexander Graham Bell

I took this picture last month while on Hunting Island in South Carolina.  You don't see too many of these old phone booths anymore and I found myself inside and seeing if it worked.  It did!
So, I thought this would be a great picture for an entry in my journal, but couldn't decide what to write with it.  First I thought, " Underdog", "Superman" or maybe just writing about how 3 of my kids are on my shared family cell phone plan and ALWAYS going over the limit!  Couldn't decide. 
Then it hit me at  2.00am last night as I was startled awake.  My phone rang beside my bed and my heart started pounding in my chest.  Could it be something was wrong with family or friends.  As I answered my phone, I heard a female ask for me by name.  She then proceeded to say her name and her husband's name who was on the other line.  I had no clue who they were.  After a minute I realized it was a crank call.  I proceeded to hang up and still felt my heart pounding so hard it hurt.  It brought back memories of my teenage years when we had to get our number unlisted because of so many of those calls.  If they would only realize how it felt to be jolted awake and scared.  But, I guess that was their intent. 
It took me forever to fall back to sleep as I lay with my covers pulled up to my chin while I was trying to calm down.  It was at that point that I thought, "hey, remember that picture of the phone booth?........"

 

And ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.  Kahlil Gibran -  The Prophet  

This day  brought blended thoughts and emotions.  At a glance it was good.... at a distance, it seemed as though depth was needed to clarify.   We have, we take .... we give all... and still,  I sit in silence .... with thoughts that need to be freely expressed and felt .... while lingering in the mix.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

some things in this world you just can't change
Some things you can't see until it gets too late

baby when all your love is gone
Who will save me from all I'm up against out in this world
bright light - matchbox 20
   

With all this rain we've been getting the last few days, today was different.  It rained hard then the sun would shine brightly, then rain again, sun, and on and on.  It seemed as though the sun was struggling to stay out, but shone just enough for us to remember it will be back.   
I saw flooding today and can't imagine what some people are going through tonight in this hurricane aftermath.  Something of this magnitude can humble most people and show us that we are just a tiny part of the big picture.   
As my life goes on uninterrupted by this storm, I pray that others struggling with disaster, see that bright light and know that things will turn around.

                                      Today we went to a Braves game.  This was the first time in the last 4 1/2 years since we've been in Atlanta that I actually felt like a Braves fan.  Before this, I would usually cheer for the other team if they were in close vicinity to Pittsburgh, my hometown! Today was different.  I even had a favorite player, Marcus Giles!   
Even though Milwaukee beat us today 8-4, it was an exciting game.  Marcus Giles got my attention with his hits, while Jeff Francoeur hit his second home run in four games.  But, my favorite was the catch made by Milwaukee's Carlos Lee when he crashed into the wall in the 8th inning.   
Surprisingly, the rain held off till we started walking out of the stadium.  With hurricane Dennis in our midst, we were lucky!   
Now, what's going to happen the end of this month when we go to the Atlanta vs Pittsburgh game?  (Pirates all the way!  Don't tell anyone!  lol)

Scrumpdiddleumptious

I couldn't help but buy this chocolate bar a few weeks ago looking for a golden ticket.  :)  Did I think that I would instantly be a winner?  Yep.  I always think positive!  lol

One of my favorite childhood movies will be at the theaters in a re-make starring Johnny Depp.  Charlie and the Chocolate Factory makes it's debut next Friday.  Will it be as good as I remember it being long ago when it first came out in 1971?  I think we all want the pure imagination in childhood to stay intact,  but watch it slip away as time goes by.   

There is something to say about the good always prevailing in the end and this movie is no exception.  To feel like a kid in a candy store  is something we all love. I just hope I leave the theater wanting to get my hand on some chocolate bars!   

By the way, I do think I won the golden ticket in life.  :)

110 miles, 7 days, 1 great time

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Slow down and enjoy life. It's not only the scenery you miss by going too fast - you also miss the sense of where you are going and why.
            -- Eddie Cantor  

We are back home and thrown right back into reality.  Was it just last week that home,  job, bills  etc. were the furthest thing from our mind?  It seems hard to believe. What a trip. 

 I'm not sure where to start or even if I could articulate the great time that we had.  I filled my 170 page journal that I took along with me with written entries every night before I dozed off to sleep.  Each and every day was a new experience.  Many new friends entered my life with the same goal of reaching our last day with 110 miles behind us.  Some raced to the end leaving us in the dust, or should I say mud,  while others paddled by and talked of life, family and dreams. Through rain,  intense heat,  and hard work we accomplished the same goal.  We all made it.

 

Starting out at Buford Dam and seeing the crystal clear water had my adrenaline going.  The many shoals of the Chattahoochee River that we had to steer around made for excitement.  As we paddled our way toward Atlanta, the water  was clearly changing.  We became aware of just how this river needed to be maintained and the work that had to go into that.  This was one of the reasons Paddle Georgia was born.  

 

Some highlights stand out for me, but I can honestly say every day had many bright moments.  After the first day of 17 miles and everyone wondering how we were going to master this task, not one gave up.   With the youngest in the group being 4 and the oldest being 69, we definitely had a wide range of paddlers that totaled over 200 each day.   

 

The 25 foot high diving rock was something to do.  I saw the young boys and the men jump off.  I think I did it to throw a little mixture into the crowd!   But, on the other hand, I just couldn't pass it up.  Maybe it was the thrill of trying something new at my age.  :)

The 40 ft falls at Hilly Mill Creek was like paradise after sweating in the hot sun.  We ate our lunch at this spot, but not before we felt that cool water.  Being behind the falls is an awesome feeling as well as the massage we got by standing with the water running down our backs.  I would have loved to stay the whole day there!           

 

 

We all plan on returning next year for the trek down the Etowah River.  That one week in June where paddling each day with nothing on our minds but the scenery and the next mile in front of us, is something I look forward to.  Until then, I will treasure the memories, the new friends that have touched my life,  and the inspiration I received along the way.   Let the river flow.....