2008 Roanoke River (NC) Paddle Days

I'll be hitting this event again next weekend. If anyone is down and around Eastern NC come on and join us. [www.roanokeriverpartners.org]

and if you're not able to make Paddle Days be sure to check out the Roanoke River when you get a chance. Seeing as its so close its my stompin grounds/river for platform camping and general paddling.

Looks like a great time. I can't wait to get my boat in the water. Hopefully more this year than last. I need to go check and make sure that it hasn't become a home to a wren, spider or mouse!

I have SO wanted to paddle the Roanoke...DO check out River Partners....and then tell me a TT Kayaking Trip with Platform Camping would not be a BLAST......

We live on the Roanoke platforms during the spring, summer, fall and winter. Skeeters nearbout take you away in the Summer at dusk and dawn..but still well worth it!

Beaver Lodge would be the perfect platform for a TT trip. With so many platforms its easy to do the entire Roanoke over just a few days with camping on different platforms along the way.

Paddle Days TR

Wow what a big crowd this year! Last year there were 20 boats at this event but this year the boats numbered 65! This is only the 3rd year for this event but in my opinion its growing quickly. Paddlers were given two options, both starting at Jamesville NC put in...option A: follow the Roanoke to Cow Creek, paddle the creek upstream to Cypress Cut then follow the cut back out to the Roanoke and back to Jamesville. (scenic swamp 16 miles) option B: paddle the main river down to Plymouth (wide full river 12 miles). We opted for the 12 miler as my 9 year old's longest solo paddle trip in the past has maxed out at 8 miles..I was fearful she'd be fit to be tied with a 16 miler. We paddled down 8 miles to Bear Landing Platform for lunch then the remaining 4 to Plymouth. The weather wasn't too hot and my daughter breezed thru her 12 miles. She got a little discouraged along one bend before Bear Landing...note to self: when you tell a 9 yr old "the landing is just around this bend" be sure she understands completion of the bend is farther than what she can see! She learned how long a bend can be and I learned to quatify it better :) Between Jamesville and Plymouth the river widens out leaving the swampy feel of the platforms behind. Luckily the wind was working with us. Would have gone back to jamesville and paddled into my favorite platform but all the platforms were booked weeks ago thanks to the event...an outfitter from Raleigh had a pile of folks down for the event. Seeing as how often we are able to camp on the platforms I didn't much mind as I wanted to check out Goose Creek SP along the Pamlico. We camped along the Pamlico Saturday night then bummed around this morning on a few trails there before the thunderstorms moved in.

Mark your calendars for next year or sooner!

Peace out!
coming to a river near you soon