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| Trip Journals (2) |
| paddlevirginia.net |
James River: Arcadia to Natural Bridge Station,VA (7/27/06) Time: 6 hrs. Paddle Partner: family Navigation: Topo map / terrain association Photos: Yes This paddle was great! The family did a Monday-Saturday camping vacation on the James River at Natural Bridge Station, VA. Our site was right on the river and we had great views all around. The paddle took place on a Thursday as we did other activities Monday-Wednesday. We drove up to Arcadia early morning. The drive up to the put in was less than to be desired. Follow the road right next to the river up to the put-in. I did not think we quite got to the put-in. The road went to gravel a few times and the switch- backs got pretty scary. I think we put in at a place called Indian Rock or there about. Anyway, there was a nice put in right on the side of the road and a place to park the truck. The river level was up a bit which was good. There was no white water to speak of, just one nice class one or lower. (About a foot drop) My youngest closed his eyes as we went over. We saw plenty of wild-life. Turtles, fish, hawks, ducks and a few turkeys. Heard a few "crashing through the brush", must have been deer. We fished and swam and took photos of each other. The family ate lunch on a nice beach and enjoyed the views. Once at the Gillmore Mills I ran up the steep bank (RR crossing) and took some photos of the family down on the creek. Gillmore Mills was about the half-way point and this is where we saw our first people. Fellow campers putting in and floating back to the campground on tubes. Towards the end of the paddle the railroad tracks cross over the river and then Rt.756 crosses as well. The campground is just down river on the right and we paddle to our site. The scenery was awesome on this stretch as the photos bear out. Off the subject of paddling, I would recommend that everyone go to Natural Bridge and while there visit the Safari. My kids loved the safari. The animals come right up to the car and eat out of buckets. Everyone enjoyed the day on the river. I will paddle this stretch again and really concentrate on the small-mouth fishing next time. Mantapike Creek / Mattaponi River: 7/29/06 Paddle partner: LG Photos: Yes Just a quick paddle one afternoon. LG and I put in on a private piece we have access to and paddled up river a stretch. Once at the confluence we checked on the depth of the water. We found it to be on average 3'-3.5' deep well up the creek. (High tide) We fished up and down the creek and both of us caught four fish each. LG had the lead on the fish but I finished strong. We decided to try and go as far up the creek as possible. We did not get to go as far as we wanted, but it was fun none the less. The creek is very nice with plenty of wild life. We paddled out into the river and around an island. We put the kayaks up and went for a swim. The tide was still coming in strong. This was my first kayak paddle and I really enjoyed it. James River (Maidens,VA): 6/24/06 Paddle Partner: Family Time: 9am to 11:30am Photos: Yes Took the family out real quick this morning. Drove to the landing at Maidens and paddled up river. We only paddled 1/2 mile or so just past the island in the middle of the river. We did some fishing and exploring around the islands. Caught a few nice small mouths and bream. The water level was really low but enough water to paddle. This area is nice for fishing and paddling for any level of experience. The bottom is mostly sandy to very small (pebble size) rock. We had the river to ourselves for the few hours we were there. As a teenager, I would put-in at Maidens and paddle down river a ways, fish and paddle back up. I have also used this landing as my put-in for weekend trips down river. Chickahominy River/Lake: 4/23/06 New Kent, VA. (Off Rt. 60) Paddle Partner: Kirk Sweeny Time: 9am to 2:30pm Navigation: Topo map / terrain association Photos: Yes Did this sweet paddle with Kirk and the owner (Gary) of Mattaponi Canoe and Kayak. Gary has a nice operation and put on a first class paddle. Gary had a group of 14 plus on this paddle so Kirk and I brought up the rear. We put in at a semi public landing located at the New Kent Forestry Service. This section of the Chick used to be fresh water tidal until the dam was built. This section is also the upper reaches of the lake. We paddled up river and came across a few power boats. Very courteous fellows bass fishing. Gary stopped along the way and pointed out plants and birds of interest as well as detailed explanations on all. Gary really impressed me with his knowledge of the area and history. We reached the turn around point which was the east end of the canal below Providence Forge. (Holly Landing) Just before this area you can start to feel the current pick up. There Gary read some history on the James Town settlement and more in particular Capt. Jon Smith. We learned that Smith paddle this very stretch trading with the Indians and exploring. Smith was captured by the Pamunkey Indians very close to the turn around point. On the way back I could not stop thinking about Smith and that I was paddling on the very water he paddled. We loaded up the canoes and kayaks, ate lunch and then headed home. This section of the river is really nice and we saw plenty of Ospreys, a few beaver huts and herons. I will paddle this section again and bring my fishing gear. |