At the junction of the Rapidan and Rappahannock, which was midway on our trip, there are lots of rocks and, at a "normal" water level, you would have to do a bit of dragging the canoes. However, with the two-foot-high level, we saw no rocks and sailed over them all. As the high water runs over the rocks, it makes a lot of high ripples or waves which make it a bit tricky to navigate and easy to get swamped or capsized.

For a canoe trip you paddle and/or steer all the way and in "normal" water levels this trip takes about five hours. For us the water was really moving and it only took four hours plus a half hour lunch break.

Your Ski Club River Adventurers embarked on this trip on Saturday, May 30. The canoe pairs were Ron Mumma and Gloria Benedetto, Libby and David (son) Jacoby, and Roger Simmons and me. Providing safety advice and assistance, was a friend and river expert, Richard Amick and his friend in kayaks.

A canoe is a surprisingly stable platform, yet it can be easily tipped or swamped if not given proper respect.

The river has long stretches of flat water with mild rapids interspersed. At the first rapids, Libby and David got sideways and capsized. With Richard's help, they got from deep and rapid water to the bank where their canoe was righted without the ton of water in it. No belongings were lost since they were all tied in. After this, they, along with the rest of us, were able to navigate the rapids with only sloshes of water in our canoes. Of course, we all wear Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs) at all times.

In conclusion we had an enjoyable trip and all learned a little more about navigating a canoe in rapid water.

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