Had a good time yesterday picking out gear from REI for our upcoming paddle trip. They had generously agreed to donate $600 in gear to help us get outfitted for the trip. We now have a great new stove, straps, dry bags, tables, and lots of nice equipment. Twelve cases of tasty Sweetwater is being delivered tomorrow, so the most important thing is done. In addition to this blog, we will be posting updates, videos, and pictures to facebook, youtube, and picassa. Professional photographer Jeff Rich is joining us so stay tuned for very nice photos of the French Broad River.

The Save the French Broad planning is in high gear. We just announced our kickoff event for the month long campaign on May 26th at the Bywater in Asheville. We will cutting the ribon on their new river access,  another link in the French Broad River paddle trail. There will great food, live music, and beer specials. Don’t miss the fun!

We got up early on Day 6 to meet the a great group of fisherman for the day. Over 20 people came out to help us catch fish to determine the impact of the Progress Energy Power Plant on the aquatic life in the French Broad River. We know for a fact that many fish are impacted by the Mercury, Arsenic and other heavy metals released from the plant, but we hoped that additional tests would help push for a cleanup of the unlined toxic coal ash ponds above the river. After tromping through briers, poison ivy, mercury contaminated water, and crawling through a pitch black pipe under the interstate, we took some water and sediment samples while the lovely ladies of WNCA and SELC caught us some nice fish. Donna Lisenby, the Watauga Riverkeeper, lended her expertise, and this type of work made me proud to be called a Riverkeeper!

Click here for a link the photo essay that appeared in the Mountain Express. This photographer was one hardcore man!

Click here for Day 6 photos

After confidently stating that I had not flipped the entire trip, I took a new passenger in my boat. Minutes later June Bug, my new partner, and myself were swimming the boat ashore. Today was a very bittersweet paddle, because we wanted to celebrate a truly amazing trip, but we really hated to leave the river when it was so beautiful. Paddling the French Broad into Tennessee is one of my favorite stretches of the river and I hated to not continue, but was excited about sleeping in my own bed and recharging while getting ready for next years trip.

We are already making plans for next years journey so stayed tuned the website to learn how you can be a part of Save the French Broad 2011.

Click here for Day 11 pictures

Over 80 people from 12 bars, restaurants, and business in the watershed converged on Huck Finn Rafting today for the 1st annual raft race. Each of these businesses have been selling the paper fish and encouraging everyone to give your liver to save the river, but today they were going to try to dominate each other as they raced down the whitewater section of the French Broad River. We piled onto buses and vans and headed to the put-in. Everyone drew a raft guide, talked some smack, and lined up at the waters edge and vigorously took off toward the finish line.

The rafts crossed the finish line at Stackhouse and we then cruised the last few miles over two the biggest rapids on the river. Class IV Frank Bells rapid and Kayakers Ledge provided some sudden excitement, in-between swimming and throwing Rickdiculous in the river.

Once we got out in Hot Springs we made our way to Huck Finn’s great shop for Sweetwater Beer, wings donated from Buffalo Wildwings, and the announcement of the winners.

Thanks to everyone that participated in the race and the sponsors that helped make this happen. This was a great time and good fundraiser for the Riverkeeper program! Thanks to Huck Finn rafting for donating the boats, guides, shuttle, building, etc. Thanks to Sweetwater for the Beer and helping put on the trip, Clean Channel Radio for all the ads and support!

The combo team of Brixx and MoDaddys took home first prize with Travis as their guide in a swift 44.45 minutes.

The Riverkeeper team came in second, but first in the non-competing category.

French Broad Co-op was officially second with a time of 45.57 and the lovely Corry as the guide

Bugermeister was only one second behind in third place at 45.58 with Allen as their guide

The rest of the field was as follows:

4. Westville Pub- 46.53

5. Bier Garden- 47.00

6. Brixx- 47.18

7. Curtis Wright Outfitters- 47.26 (winner of most team spirit)

8. MoDaddys- 47.50

9. Universal Joint- 49.42

10. Kiss County- 50.18

11. Steak and Wine- 52.41

12. Empire Distributing

Click here for day 10 pictures

The group skirted through a nice series of rapids today as we paddling by the Ledges Whitewater Park and down through the Alexander wave. Everyone looked like seasoned river guides as worked through wave trains and around rocks. Everyone except Barnold who could flip a barge on a lake with one wrong glance.

Watching the river tumble into Madison County, as the mountains now rise out of the banks of river, reminded me of how lucky we were to be out enjoying the river. The scenery improves everyday and everyone was excited about the steaks and beer that awaited us in Marshall at my co-worker’s house. A small group decided we wanted to milk this lovely day for all it was worth, so we portaged around the dam in Marshall and then around the dam three miles down from Marshall. One of the projects we hope to accomplish is establishing fish passage and an easy portage around both of these dams. This would then truly allow the French Broad River to become a world class paddle trail. As the sun set, the river turned an amazing color of orange before we pulled into Barnard and met our ride.

The fun was not over because we arrived back in Marshall to a party in full swing. Ft. Tob was rocking as we ate great food, polished off lots of Sweetwater, and even turned a flame thrower on the bonfire.

Click here to see day 9 pictures