We all stayed at the Best Western River Escapes in Dillsboro, NC, on the river bank and its parking lot served as our put-in. Our take-out was the Barkers Creek Access (identified in my 2015 article on this river trip as the Duke Power access).
Jim and JoAnn paddled solo sit-on-top kayaks. I paddled my solo kneeling canoe. The other two couples went in a guided raft. We all went down in our separate crafts Tuesday. Jim, JoAnn and I started Tuesday morning. Then we returned to the parking lot; and Jim and I put for a second trip the same day. Even though the raft was on a separate schedule, by great luck, it sailed past the parking lot right as Jim and I were putting in for our second trip. Later the same afternoon, as we went past the trip halfway point, Jim and I took out to rest at a beach where our raft friends were also taking a break. On Wednesday Jim and I took another morning trip. I learned Tuesday evening that I had been exposed to too much sun. After supper we went to a pharmacy and got me some sunscreen, which I used Wednesday. Despite my sore and heat sensitive skin, I managed not to peel.
You may wonder where are the photos of whitewater rapids? There were plenty of rapids. Unlike last year, I managed not to turn over. The problem with taking photos in rapids is that it requires two hands to operate the camera. And it takes two hands to paddle - for a total of four hands. But I only have two hands total. Hmmm... The result is no whitewater photos. Sorry.
Each lunch was delicious sandwiches, including fresh tomatoes from JoAnn. For supper each night we went to a local restaurant in Dillsboro or Sylva, NC. The weather was nice, the camaraderie was great, the gossip and the tall-tale telling were entertaining, the paddling was energizing, the water was refreshing and a good time was had by all.
