River Day 10/03/2016

 

If there's a single word we can use to sum up the last 12 months, I think it would be "change".  We've seen many over the last year, and some of them have affected National River Day, including one this week.

After being moved from Beckley to the river, undergoing flood damage, tree damage, being moved, and being modified, the (once) tin building at the camp is gone.  Except for a piece of glass or two on the ground, there isn't a trace it was even there.  Every part of it has been removed.  The camp itself has taken on  different look with it's absence.  Over the last 12-15 years it housed tools, bait, supplies, wet Rivertarians, and numerous crock-pots of dinner.  The whole idea of National River Day was conceived of and begun in that old outbuilding.  Sad to see it gone.

This week Jay, Ted, Pat and I made it down for a pleasant (as usual) River Day celebration.  Temps were in the low 70's, and the sky was mostly overcast. 

The river was up and muddy this week, probably due to some rains upriver that affected the Greenbrier.  It looked pretty good for fishing, but no one bothered trying.

We had a nice fire going (thanks Jay and Ted!) and there was (is) plenty of burning material around.  We hung around the fire pit most of the time, and had a short visit from Freddy.  Everyone is getting ready for the fall camping trip (Sherwood this year) so a lot of the conversation was about preparations for the annual event.  Not to sound too melancholy about it, but it would be nice to be planning with our fallen brother again.  He will be missed again this year.