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.

River Day 09/19/2016

 

Another non-river River Day this week, but River Day none-the-less.  Jay, Ted and I enjoyed a relaxing holiday at Jay's house, where we worked a little on an on-going project.  Schedules had been up in the air right to the last minute, so we made the call not to go to the river this go round.  Tim and Pat weren't able to celebrate with us.  And for some reason, Freddy won't make the drive up.

It's probably obvious that we did NOT have a fire this week (unless you count Ted's stogie), but if we had, I'm sure it would have been the best one on...Franklin Ave.

Since we were in more confined spaces, there wasn't a lot of moving around, so not to much activity to speak of.  Our work on the project (still on-going) was mainly around the bench vise where some highly detailed art work was completed.  Yes, it took all three of us to get it done.  A little stain and polyurethane later, and another step completed.

We did get a few pics for the blog this week - enjoy!

River Day 08/29/2016

 

Only four of us at the camp this week, well, not counting Freddy.  Jay, Tim, Ted and I made it down for a short(er) celebration.  The weather was great for River Day - sunny and warm.  Probably won't be too many of those left.

Not much going on this week.  We didn't even light a fire.  According to Freddy, Leo has already moved to the big city, leaving his camp vacant.  Lots of changes.  Seems like it's been the year for changes.  Oh well, such is life.

No one did any fishing this week, despite the season winding down.  Sometimes we get lucky and catch some of the bigger ones this time of year.  We just didn't bother this time around.

As usual, a good time with great friends.

River Day 08/22/2016

Back to the river this week for an evening with a distinctly fall-like feel to it.  Temps were much cooler than they have been over the last few months - mid to upper 70's, with a clear, blue sky.  We did (of course) have a fire going, and for the first time in a while, it was pleasant to be around.  With the lack of maintenance around the camp, there was plenty to burn, and from the looks of things there will be for a while.

All the Rivertarians made it down this week: Pat, Ted, Jay, Tim and myself.  And the Fredster.  I think he's been missing us.  Always good to catch up on his stories, especially the goings-on in the greater Terry Beach Metropolitan area.  Speaking of which, there is now a "For Sale by Owner" sign posted at the Gilkerson property.  To my knowledge, that makes three lots that are currently on the market at Terry Beach.

I don't think anyone tried any fishing this week (I got there a little later than usual) but the water looked good for it.  I did re-string an older reel I had and put it on an old rod I had - only because I lost my "newer" set up in a terrible fishing accident that occurred over the weekend.  Some creature made off with my stuff while fishing upriver.

Ted collected some things we might be able to recondition for use that were left behind following the last flood, specifically a small Weber grill that's been at the camp for years.  I think it was the one that David left behind years ago, but could be mistaken.  We're thinking that a little engineering might get it back into business.

I brought my camera along this week, but just didn't take it out of the bag to take any photos, so no river pics this week. 

That said, I'm including a recent photo of a fellow Rivertarian that was recently sent to me.  Enjoy!

River Day 08/15/2016

I guess we got a little lazy this week and stuck around close to home again for River Day - Jay's home, anyway.  Seems to be the gathering spot on those days when we have trouble getting together at the river.  Thunderstorms were forecast for the middle of the time we're usually at the river, and Tim needed to be a little closer in (accessible, anyway), so we opted for a front porch celebration.

Tim, Jay, Ted, Pat and I all made an appearance.  The thunderstorm never showed.  And neither did Freddy.  As usual, it was a good gathering of Rivertarians, and I think everyone enjoyed the company and conversation. 

Most of the evening was spent as pictured; hanging around on the porch.  Eventually, a few of us went downstairs to check out the latest items Jay brought back from his most recent trip north.  Always a good time checking out the latest treasures.

In case anyone's concerned, no, we haven't given up on the river.  Summer months are harder to get everyone down there.  But summer is starting to wind down and I'm sure that the cooler (colder?) weather will find us around a fire on the riverbank, somewhere.

River Pictures

This is not a River Day post, just some photos I took recently that I think capture the feel of the river.  Hope you enjoy.

River Day 08/08/2016

River Day wasn't celebrated on the river this week, instead a few of us met a Jay's house for a few hours.  No one was really sure there was going to be a River Day this week - Jay had been out of town due to a death in the family, none of the rest of us made any plans (that I know of, anyway).

While temps were moderate inside, it had turned a little cooler outside this week: low 70's and overcast.  There seems to be a feel of fall in the air already.  A little early for that if you ask me.

Anyway, it was just Jay, Ted, and I, so we got into a small project (a hold-over from a Friday night prayer meeting, actually), and we checked out Jay's new goodies he brought back home with him.  We're not altogether sure what they are, but they look cool.

Always good getting together with fellow Rivertarians at the start of the week!  Hopefully, we'll all be able to make it next time, wherever the celebration happens to be.