River Day 07/10/2017

 

A slightly late post this week, but like I've said before, better late than never.  All but Pat made it down to the camp this week for a little clean up (translated - manual labor).  Tim, Jay, Ted and I enjoyed great weather this week, and got some mowing done around the camp. 

None of us had a working weedeater, but we made do with the mower and some manpower.  The lawn hadn't been cut all season (by us, anyway), and we needed to do a little prep work for an event coming up on the 22nd.  I always appreciate my fellow Rivertarians pitching in when needed.

Ted even brought down some dinner for after the work was done. Gotta love a hotdog cooked over charcoal at the river.  He even brought down all the fixin's; onion, slaw, mustard, buns and chips.  Thanks, Ted!

We did get our weekly visit from Freddy, to catch up on all the Terry Beach news.  There was also a little soiree going on at Toby's place.  We were a bit afraid to get all the details of that one, but they seemed to be enjoying themselves.

As always, it's a great way to start the week.  I hope Pat enjoyed the big water while we were enjoying the river.

(Found a surprise pic on my camera!)

River Day 06/26/2017

Seems like River Days, actually at the river, keep getting further and further apart.  We've commented before that it seems easier to get to the river (regularly) in the dead of winter than it is in the summer.  And this year proves to be no exception.

Surprisingly enough, some of us did make it down this week: Pat, Ted, Jay and I.  We had a nice sunny day with temps in the mid 70s, and a nearly steady breeze.  We expected to see the river bit higher, but it was closer to late summer levels.  There was evidence of high water all around the camp, with plenty to burn.  The fire pit was washed clean, and at least one of the brush piles is completely gone. 

We burned a good portion of the debris left in the yard, and even started a second fire so we didn't have to carry it up to the pit.  Ted was staying the night, so he had a little project to keep him busy.  Hopefully, we can get the grass cut in the next week or two.  We have a special event coming up toward the end of July and everything needs to look nice (nicer anyway).

Almost no sign of any locals, except for Freddy of course.  I think he missed us.  His stories are always entertaining, and because of our absence, he had a few. 

No one tried any fishing this week.  The eddy pool in front of the camp was too shallow, and there weren't enough exposed rocks to safely make the trek out to the current (that's what I told myself anyway).  This year has not been a good fishing year for any of us.  I think I've only tried a handful of times, and only caught any on two occasions.

As always it's great getting together with fellow Rivertarians, and I think we all missed Tim this week.  I look forward to the days we can all get together.

Several pics this week. Enjoy, and Happy River Day!

Cousin Itt even showed up this week!

River Day 05/15/2017

 

Once again work and schedules are taking a toll on River Day attendance.  We were trying to remember this week when all 5 of us were last able to attend, at the same time.  This week, Tim, Pat and I were at the camp.  Jay was on vacation, and I assume Ted was working.  We had good weather; temps in the upper 70's, with clear blue skies. 

There was clear evidence of the river being up over the last week or to - debris way up in the yard, and standing water in a few unusual places.  The yard is really getting gouged out by the logs washing up, and the grass really needs cutting.  I'll try to get back soon to give it a once over.

Where helgies were scarce before, they are plentiful now.  There was one under most rocks you turned over, sometimes two under the same rock, so we had plenty of bait.  I fished in the pool in front of the camp.  Tim tried his luck a little further down.  No smallies yet, but the red-eyes and suckers are biting.

We had a visit from Freddy, who gave us a run down on the latest goings on at the river.  The events of his main story took place over a 10 day period and sounded like something out of Hollywood - stolen cars, drunken debauchery, police pursuits, arrests and running from the law.   Ahhh, life in Terry/Terry Beach.

With all the stuff washed up, we had plenty to burn, an enjoyed what was (I'm sure) the best fire on the river.  Maybe any river.

Happy River Day!

River Day 04/24/2017

We enjoyed a quiet(er) River Day this week, with only 3 of us in attendance: Jay, Tim, and me.  We finally had a break in the rain, with overcast skies and temps in the low-mid 60s.  Back to jeans and light jackets.

I really thought we would have some good fishing (finally) but with the water level as high as it was, no such luck.  We did find a couple of worms, but no helgies yet.  It'll be my luck that next Monday will be the good day, and I have to miss.

Freddy visited a while and  caught us up on the goings-on around the Greater Metropolitan Terry Beach area.  Lots of changes still going on: places for sale, places sold, new neighbors, and some places simply abandoned.  Life on the river.

Other than a few attempts at fishing, not much going on.  We didn't get into any projects this week, but just enjoyed the company, and location.

I think we all have a bit of spring fever and are ready for the nice weather to settle in.

Sorry for the late post (again), and I hope everyone has been enjoying your respective River Days!

Oh, and we did have the best fire on the river!

Terry hieroglyphics?





River Day 04/10/2017

Sorry for the late post, but it's been a busy week.  Jay, Ted, Pat, and I made it to the camp this week for River Day.  We had great weather, mid 70s, blue skies, and it looks like spring has finally sprung.  The river had receded from the previous week's rain (and snow!), and the trees are getting greener higher up the hillside than we had previously seen.

Jay and I did a little fishing, and I caught a little fish.  One to be exact.  We felt certain that they would be biting, but apparently it's still a bit early.  Ted and Jay managed to find two helgies, but they were also in short supply, and that's the only two we found.

We helped Freddy with a little project this week - putting new handles and hardware on his wheelbarrow.  Pat had plenty of tools on hand, so that made things much easier.  Once finished, Freddy even brought it back with some wood for the fire.  Freddy was anxious to see his picture on line, so I'm putting up a couple, just for him.

We even had some hotdogs this week - cooked on the Weber Jr (Smokie Joe), with mustard and onions.  Thanks Pat!


We missed Tim this week, and it looks like tomorrow will be my turn to miss - again.

All in all, a great River Day, and hopefully of nice preview of upcoming summer weather!




 

1st catch of the year.
 

River Day 03/27/2017

Either we really suck at posting on this blog, or we're perfecting our once a month posting skills.  But sadly, another month has passed since our last River Day post.  We have had some celebrations in the last month, but it seems like it's never the whole group anymore, or we're just not at the same place.

This week, however, we did manage to all get together, and all at the same place and time (mostly),  Pat, Ted, Jay, Tim and myself (me?) met at our usual spot for the holiday.  Weather was pretty good; mild temps (60s), and overcast.  We had a few showers that forced us onto the porch for a while, but it wasn't bad, and didn't last too long.  I'm really surprised that the porch could still hold us.

We looked around for a while, hopeful that the helgies might be awake for fishing season, but the only thing we found was a water snake.  I'm not positive he was awake yet.  Or maybe we just didn't intimidate him. 

I did try (unsuccessfully) a little fishing before I left, but didn't catch anything.  Nor did I lose anything, so it's a wash.

Tim and I were the last to leave, and that's when the storm him.  We saw the rain coming in across to mountain and made the dash to our vehicles.  Before we even got off Terry Beach Road were pelted with hail, wind, and then a downpour.  The roads leading back to town had tree limbs, wrecks, debris, and high water.  Practically nothing in Beckley though.  Sorry but no pics of the maelstrom.

Another great day at the river!

Luxury Suites on the River

This guy really gets around!

River Day 02/27/2017

 

Wow, more than a month has passed since our last post here.  Don't confuse our laziness for a lack of observing the weekly holiday though - there have indeed been regular celebrations of River Day.  We've just been slack on writing about it.  Our apologies to our faithful readers.

We were back at the river this week for great afternoon.  Tim, Jay, Ted and I were at the usual spot for a pleasant February day - temps in the low 50s, with periodic sprinkles.  It never really rained enough to interfere with the festivities.

Jay brought the refurbished Weber grill down (along with charcoal, hotdogs, buns, and condiments) for a little cook out.  The grill belonged to David and has been at the camp for years.  Last summer's high water did a pretty good number on it (along with the now absent building), leaving it rusty and banged up.  Jay took it to his house prior to winter and spent a few hours bringing it back to a useful state.  This week was the first it had been used in quite a while.  Thanks to Jay for his work, for bringing food, and for cooking.  It was well appreciated.

There is still a lot of wood to be found downriver from the camp, so we foraged around and found some interesting, and some disgusting, things while gathering wood.  I'm posting a few photos, so you can judge for yourself which is which.

As always it's great catching up with everyone, sharing stories, gripes, jokes, and a few cold ones.

Happy River Day to all!