River Day 12/21/2015

The Rivertarian party gathered at the camp for our annual Christmas/River Day celebration this week.  Pat, Ted, Jay, Tim and I were all able to get together for the evening.  We had a few short periods of light rain, but temps stayed around the 50 degree mark, so we had no complaints.

Since it was the last Monday before Christmas, we set up our own entertainment system, Rivertarian style, and enjoyed classic Christmas songs on XM satellite radio.  The new furniture was just what was needed for the setup.

Freddy came down to visit with us for a while, but he wasn't willing to take us caroling as was previously planned.  Seemed like a great idea.  Oh well, maybe next year.

We had our yearly gift exchange around the fire (best on the river, by the way), and I think everyone enjoys the camaraderie from being able to do that.  Nothing fancy, but a tradition I'm sure we'll always enjoy, and think back on.

I brought down a crock pot full of 15, or maybe 16, Cajun style bean soup.  Not too spicy this time around, and most of it was eaten up.  Pat added a bag of Fritos to the dinner, which always goes great with the dish.

Thanks to Tim (and Myra, whether she knows it or not), we had a pre-dinner cocktail in the form of a little milkshake.  Okay, not really a milkshake, but I may have found a new best friend.  Nothing wrong with a little eggnog around the holiday fire.

As usual, we had a great evening, and I am looking forward to many more just like it.

Merry Christmas from the entire Rivertarian party!

River Day 11/30/2015

Tim and I made it down to the river this week for the holiday - the rest of the group wasn't able to make it, but celebrated River Day elsewhere.  The weather wasn't too bad: upper 40's and the occasional drizzle.  The mist looked like snow coming over the mountains.  A little preview of things to come?

We had our regular visit from Freddy, and apparently he has placed us on the naughty list this year.  Instead of a single lump of coal though, he brought us a whole bag.  Given the damp weather and the firewood being pretty wet, it was much appreciated.  It didn't take long to take what was already the best fire on the river to a whole new level.

At some point during Freddy's visit, we got on the topic of carrying concealed weapons.  Freddy brought his weapon of choice to show to us (and why), and demonstrated his fairly aggressive shooting techniques (I should point out that NO rounds were fired during this demonstration).  From his actions and speech, it was determined that Freddy is "an angry M#!$%@  F#!%@&".  The exact quotation has been veiled to protect the younger readers of this blog, but I'm sure you get the gist.  The comment certainly made quote of the week, if not the whole year.

We stayed a little longer than we have been lately, and enjoyed the fire after dark for a while.

  Just like with the change of seasons, the river takes on a different atmosphere after the sun sets.

Happy River Day!

River Day 11/23/2015

Maybe it's time for a plumber?

 

 

We had a smaller crew this week for River Day: Tim, Jay, Ted, and I (Mark).  The weather was a bit cooler also (low 40's), but there wasn't a cloud in the sky.  While there wasn't any evidence of it at the river, there was a dusting of snow on the ground early Monday morning.  Winter will be on us before you know it.

With the colder air, most of the evening was spent pretty close to the fire, or fires. The shin buster stump near the fire pit has finally had a blow out, so we spent a good bit of time getting what was left, down.  Well, mostly anyway.  We threw some coals into the center and let the fire take care of what hadn't rotted away.  We helped it along...just a little.  In another week or so, there shouldn't be anything left to trip over.  Can't remember having choices before when it came to which fire you wanted to stand by, so this week was a first.

Stump removal, phase 1

 

Stump removal, phase 2

 

Feel the burn!

Freddy came down to chat with us for a while, and even brought a little gift to share.  After the way we harassed him with this week's story, I'm surprised he didn't want it back.  Jesse even dropped by for a few minutes; he was just surprised to see Freddy out of the house.

We did gather up a little firewood to add to the pile.  The river had been up through the week, so there were a few extra pieces laying around.  We probably burned about half of what we collected, so we'll have to work a little harder at it next time.

Best fire on the river!

Once again, a great way to start the week!

Happy Thanksgiving to fellow Rivertarians everywhere, and anyone else that follows National River Day!

 

Nearly full moon coming up over the ridge.

River Day 11/16/2015

 

We haven't made any posts here since the annual camping trip, and as you can see in the pics, what leaves there were on the trees then, are all gone now.  A few weeks can make a big difference. 

We had a full crew on hand this week: Jay, Tim, Ted, Pat, Scott, and me (Mark).  And let's not forget Freddy (we did get to harass him a little for not making an appearance at Glade Creek).  We had pretty good weather for this time of year, clear skies with temps around 60 (at first), then dropping to near 50 as the evening went on.  You can tell winter is right around the corner anytime you move away from the fire a little.

No one did any fishing this week, even though the river level looked good for it.  We spent a little time gathering up some firewood, and for now, there's plenty more to be picked up.  Jesse has been helping out through the week(s) and leaving us a few cut pieces here and there.

As usual, it was a good time catching up with what everyone's been doing over the last week or so, and doing it over a nice fire by the river ain't a bad way to start the week!

Fall Camping Trip: Oct 28 - Nov 1, 2015

 

As expected, the yearly camping trip was a great success!  Seems like it always lives up to the anticipation.

 

This year Jay, Tim, Ted, Pat, Scott, and I (Mark) stayed for the entire time.  Damon stayed with us Wednesday and Thursday nights, Kevin stayed Friday night, and Ben visited Friday evening.  Freddy never made an appearance. 

We ended up camping in the same spot as last year, Glade Creek Campground, along the New River.  We had plenty of firewood (yep, you guessed it), and plenty to eat.  The area is remote, and there wasn't too much activity in the area, typical for this time of year.

I won't try to list everything we did, but I am posting a good number of pics.  Hopefully, they'll give you a good idea of how the trip went.

I think I speak for the group when I express how much we all missed David.  He's been a part of this trip for a number of years, and it was strange, and sad, not having him with us.  We had some good stories- memories-
of him and shared them around the camp.  At least we'll always have those.

 

 

 

 

The BEST fire on the river!

 

 

 

River Day 10/26/2015

Since everyone is on vacation this week, River Day was celebrated a little earlier than usual, and the full crew was on hand: Pat, Ted, Tim, Jay and I.  We had fair weather while we were there - overcast, near 60, with a little nip in the air.  It was one of those days where it was nice to stay close to the fire.

(Pat may be having a religious experience here)

The fall camping trip is coming up in a few days, so a lot of the talk was finalizing the plans on where, when, and who.  Looks like we've settled on Glade Creek camping area (same place as last year), and we'll all get started on Wednesday morning.  As for the who - we know there will be the five of us, with the addition of Damon for a few days, and probably Scott.  Not sure about Kevin's plans.  Who knows, maybe even Freddy will show up for a visit.

Not too much going on around the camp this week.  Jesse has apparently been cleaning up all around, and even donated some firewood he'd cut, split, and stacked.  Thanks, Jesse!

(Jay, Freddy, Tim, Pat, and Ted)

The was river level was pretty low, which is typical for this time of year.  You could walk out through the rocks and fish in the main current of the river without getting your shoes wet - had any one actually been fishing.  No one seemed to be able to work up the enthusiasm (wonder where that came from?) to do that.

Another great River Day celebration!

River Day 10/19/2015

Only Jay and I were on hand to celebrate the holiday this week, and we had beautiful weather to do it.  Skies were clear, autumn blue, and temps were in the upper 60's.  There was no fishing, no projects this week, just hanging around by the fire. 

Most of our talk this week was all about the upcoming annual fall camping trip (next week!).  Everyone's plans seem to be coming together, and I'm sure it will be a great time, as always.

We saw and talked to Leo for a bit - don't usually spend too much time chatting with him.  Freddy dropped by for his weekly visit.  Jesse's car was parked in the driveway at the camp for the entire evening with one door standing open and the windows partially down.  Funny, we never did see Jesse.  According to Freddy, Jesse is staying in Toby's house for a time, even though there isn't any electricity at that place. 

We did see a Park Service vehicle coming down the road, but it turned around before getting to the camp.  Someone in our little party seemed a bit nervous to see them, and it wasn't Jay or me. Hmmm.

We kept a small fire going the whole time, and thanks to someone (?) we had some pre-cut wood sitting around for burning.  Looked like some of the stuff that washes up during floods.  We took advantage.  The results were, of course, the best fire on the river.

Sorry everyone couldn't make it down this week, but unfortunately, life gets in the way.

As a note of good news, I left a jacket and a set of throwing knives at the camp the last time we were there - two weeks ago.  I felt certain the knives would be gone (and had forgotten about the jacket).  Both were exactly where I left them.  No one around, or respect for other's property?  Or maybe honor among fellow Rivertarians.

Happy River Day!