Sunday, April 22, 2012

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.

19 comments:

  1. Oh, Good! I can't wait to find out more about your trip down the river!

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  2. Oh I'd love that ride... Being out on a boat on a beautiful spring day has to be like heaven on earth.. So glad you had this wonderful adventure (despite the boat problems).

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  3. Nothing like cruising down a lazy river............or across a vast ocean (believe me!). Hope there were no alligators...........and I'm anxious to hear what happened next!

    Happy Spring days - Mary

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  4. This reminds me of an old song, "Cruising down the River"....on a Sunday afternoon;-)
    My kind of adventure, for sure, Even the boat problems make it exciting!

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  5. Very pretty photos, especially the reflection in the water. Can't wait to read the next installment!

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  6. Beautiful!!!! Looks like an exciting and beautiful adventurous trip down the river..... Go girl!!!!
    I'm so happy to hear of your fun times....
    Hugs,

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  7. I love it! Some great pictures! Thank goodness he was able to get the boat going again. It just looks like the most peaceful way in the world to spend a morning! Can't wait to see the rest of the shots!

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  8. You're funny girl. Bucket list indeed. Does look like a perfect adventure. I love those cypress knees too. We see them in Louisiana on our way to vacation in Alabama

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  9. fantastic...would love to take this tour. My parents had land on the Nottoway River, about a mile behind our house. It was on the fall line so there were lots of rocks and the babbling of the river...loved it! when I was a kid the only thing I knew about the Blackwater was that we crossed over it on 58 when we were going to Norfolk.

    beautiful photos!

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  10. How totally fun. Wish I had been there, the view is beautiful.

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  11. We enjoyed meeting you on the trip Saturday. Nice pictures!

    Ann and Jack
    Midlothian, VA

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  12. Great post for Our World, too, Mom...just wanted to let you know! Check mine out! :-)

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  13. Beautiful series of photos you show.
    Wishing you a good day.
    Hanne Bente / hbt.finus.dk

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  14. Good thing Jeff is a handyman! Is this "cruise" something that's offered to the public? It looks like fun...well, with no mechanical problems!

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  15. Great adventure. Loved the turtles.

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  16. Oh Goodness!! The river looks like a sheet of glass!!!
    Can't wait for more!
    hughugs

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  17. Great shots. Looks like a fun day. We just got an invite to spend the day on the river. Can't wait.

    Thanks for stopping by my site. Hope You found something that will have you coming back again.

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  18. That sounds like fun! Very pretty pictures! :)

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  19. Beautiful photos and beautiful place too.

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