Whitewater Rendezvous writeup for the TSRA newsletter

Another Year Brings Another Successful Whitewater Rendezvous

Earth Day 2005 coincided with this year’s Cold Water Camp, I mean Whitewater Rendezvous, TSRA’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Proceeds from the event including the live and silent auctions benefited the Conservation Fund as well as the Pam Floyd Fund. Despite the at-times ominous weather, daytime adventures included paddling and hiking trips, bike rides, scenic drives, wine tastings and some good old-fashioned lounging around at camp. The early birds enjoyed several low water trips on the Obed/Emory system and the Big South Fork. Torrential downpours on Friday morning were followed by clear skies before many of the trips began. Many members of the not-so-ostracized Leper Colony made their maiden voyage of the Tellico while the weather was warm. The Big South Fork group beat the lower Emory group back to camp, even though on paper, the Emory is a much closer run. Temperatures began to fall by the evening as we were tested by what Mary Buckner said was either a “Dogwood Winter” or a “Locust Winter” for the rest of the weekend.

On Saturday, the air felt warmer in Clear Creek gorge than back at camp. Perhaps the gorge was warmer because over forty boaters painted their way down a low water run of Jett to Lilly. At least half a dozen boaters enjoyed their maiden voyages on Clear Creek as part of this trip. Highlights of this trip included many successful and sometimes creative runs of the Grunch as well as many inspired and thankfully non-threatening pins and broaches in the rapids above and below this notorious boat flipper. In homage to the Paddlesnake video that featured important paddling moves such as the “Buddy Boof” and the “Oof”, Mac and Ron demonstrated the “Buddy Broach” above Spinner/Washing Machine.

Between adventures, the Wigwam was the place to be. The fire was going strong from the wee hours to the wee hours. The cold winds on Saturday night forced the auction into the Wigwam where Daniel Boone and his staff of Keystone Kops cajoled contributions to the Conservation Fund from the generous pockets of TSRA members by auctioning off just about everything that didn’t officially belong to Camp Nakanawa. Prize items of the night included an original Kelsey walking stick, expert landscaping services by Diann Woodall, Charlie Penley’s “Big Dog” shirt and, of course, the hat. Woody Woodall introduced a new line of Woodies, metal paddling and biking sculptures to add to his already-coveted line of hand-carved Wood-en boats. Jim Floyd’s generous donation of a Probe 12 canoe to the auction was matched anonymously, raising $1500 for the Pam Floyd Fund for river safety.

Even though Saturday night registered a near record low of 31F in Crossville, several trips went out after the Sunday breakfast and camp cleanup. Other weary souls headed for the warmth of home. Many thanks to all who made this great event happen, from organizer Jim “O Captain! My Captain!” Shelton to all of the first-TSRA-event new members who braved the ominous forecasts to join in the fun.