River Adventure

A beautiful Saturday, 80 degrees, partly cloudy, a soft breeze blowing... Just right for a cruise down the Blackwater River here in Virginia. I just hopped in my car and drove over to Franklin where I boarded a small pontoon boat piloted by Jeff Turner, Riverkeeper of the Blackwater and Nottaway Rivers.

                                    We pulled away from the dock and started down the river.

Passed some of the now closed Camp Paper Company (it was later run by International Paper). The foliage on either side consisted of many types of trees and lots of cypress and of course, the cypress knees.

I always thought that the knees were stumps but they are actually roots. The river was smooth and dark. I was pretty excited because ever since we moved to Virginia I had wanted to go on the Nottaway River. This was just as good. I can mark this off my 'bucket list'.

So, we are ten minutes into our 2+ hour journey and right in the middle of the river..... ta da... drum roll... the engine sputters to a stop!! The only thought I had was 'Darn, I hope we don't have to go back' and Jeff did consider it. But, a roll of trusty duck tape came to the rescue. The fuel line had split and was now taped up and we headed on down the river.

                                                The turtles were out sunning on logs

                                                flowers were blooming along the bank

                                                  
                                                         Cypress trees reaching for the sky

                                                    trees shadowed in the water below

 It was dang near perfect.... THEN, the engine sputtered and died once again. This time Jeff anchored, cut the fuel line and spliced it .

                                               He pulled up anchor and away we went.

Talk about an adventure!! Oh, there's more to come, much more!! I will continue this tale in a few days.

Visit Our World Tuesday and Outdoors Wednesday to see other beautiful places this country and others.