River Day 12/20/2010

This was the last River Day (referred to as "Monday" by non-Rivertarians) before Christmas and everyone except Pat made it down (maybe 2011 will be better for him!).

Although it wasn't snowing this week, there was a little more snow on the ground, and there was more ice in the river. The temperature was also a bit warmer this week (upper 20's) and the wind wasn't blowing nearly as bad as the week before. I guess the locals don't like the cold weather much because we sure don't see them much when it's like this.

We hung around long enough to see the full moon come up over the mountain across the river. There was supposed to be a lunar eclipse as well, but we didn't stay for that.

As usual we had the best fire on the river; maybe on ANY river. Hope the pictures do it justice.

To everyone who reads this blog, Merry Christmas from all of us!

River Day 12/13/2010

It was definitely winter time at the river again this week; we not only had snow on the ground like last week, but it poured snow most of the night. The temperature stayed just below 20 degrees while we were there, but with the way the wind was blowing, I'm sure the wind chill was much lower.

The eddy pool in front of the camp where we usually fish when the water's up was frozen up this week. Jay tested the ice with a few rocks, but it wouldn't have held a person.

We didn't have any problem finding wood for the fire (the best one on the river, by the way) but the pallets Jay picked up on the way down really kicked it up a notch (maybe three notches). The river had apparently been up again and left a few convenient pieces for burning.

Those at the river this week were Ted, Tim, Jay and I (Mark). We were all bundled up pretty good in preparation for the cold, much like last week. I've been told that in the picture of the four of us from last week that we look like escapees.

Didn't see much of the locals this week; guess the cold weather keeps them pretty much inside. I am a little disappointed that they haven't put up their Christmas lights this year. The two directly behind our usual spot have put up at least one string of lights for the past several years. Guess they're not in the Christmas spirit yet.

River Day 12/06/2010

Well, you know the old saying: "Sometimes you get what you wish for"? Last week I commented that I was looking forward to the snowy nights at the river, and that's just what we got this week. It snowed for most of the weekend and there were a couple of inches on the ground at the river (several more at the top of the mountain) and the temperature was in the lower 20's when we got there. I didn't think to check what the temperature was when we left, but it got down to about 12 in Beckley.

The river had been up due to the rains last week, so there was a good bit of firewood laying around. There were also a few pallets brought down, and that certainly helped. As you might imagine, most of the evening was spent very close to the fire, which was probably the best on the river.

I took a few random photos that really show show the difference between this time of year and the middle of the summer (check some of the earlier posts). Of course I always try to get a picture or two of the fire, and I was able to get a fuzzy shot of a Great Blue Heron that was feeding just down-river.

Jay, Ted, Tim and I made it down this week. We only have a few more Mondays this year and I hope we can all make it for all of them.