erin’s web

Last year, the ERA Kid’s Camp ended with a run through Nantahala falls. I tried it and made it and couldn’t wait to do it again.

Fast forward to this year and I am back at Kid’s Camp again. We made it to the last day, Saturday the 5th and heading down the Nanty. It was great! We ran rapids, dodged rafts (or maybe they dodged us), practiced eddy turns and seal launched. And it was a dry hair day for all. No swims! But best of all the falls were at the end and I was going to run it. No doubt!

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Finally schools out and it had to be the the longest graduation. I thought it would never end! I have to say though it was the worst moment losing all of my friends. But next year going to a 6th grade only school is pretty awesome.

I am TOTALLY looking forward to summer vacation! The beach, the water, the party’s, the friends…….. THE EVERYTHING SUMMER! I am totally looking forward to camp this year…………. One of my best friends is coming to! This will be the best summer no doubt about it!

So many places to see so little time! The mountains, the rivers, the lakes, the parks, the fun, the friends. I guess I should get started!!

I recorded my first song. Just about everybody that heard it loves it! The director of Saw heard it. This is the best moment. The song had an article in the free times. What could be better. The bat rap is awesome Hayward said at the beginning of the process. I never thought I would record a song. It took two years but who cares?! I love it and A+ is only a two man crew! I now know that I might have a career in singing!

If you want to hear it go to the A+ myspace page

My ISP had a burp and we lost the site for a few hours. (that was the good news) We ended up with an old database and picture gallery because the current ones couldn’t be restored from tape and one that was a few months old had to be used. At least that is what my Dad tells me, all I know is that my fall and winter stuff is gone. (that is the bad news)

It does look like most of my stuff may be saved at home so it won’t be too hard to restore. Just bear with me, I will get back up to date soon.

Thanks everyone.

Base camp: Nantahala Gorge, NC

For the last couple of years I have attended the Endless River Adventures Kid’s Camp . Taking place June 30th thru July 3rd each year I’ve found it a wonderful place to meet and boat with others my age while getting instruction from what have to be the best instructors in the southeast. We started the first day outfitting boats for the people that didn’t bring their own. We then headed to Lake Fontana to work on the basics: strokes, wet exits and rolling. After a lunch break, we headed for the Tuckeseege river through Bryson City or also known as Tuck Town.

The second day started again with working on the basics at Lake Fontana. We worked again on strokes, wet exits, rescue techniques, and Eskimo rolls. After lunch we headed for Tuck ELA. That day the Tuck was really low and some us of got stuck on the rocks but at least it gave us more time to surf.

On day three the class was a little smaller with the more experienced people. Today we ran the Nantahala. We put in just below Pattons since a some of the group were sketchy (no shame in being careful. The river will be there next time). The trip was great and all had a good time. The only bad part of this day is that my dad and I didn’t realize that the group was going to the nanty that day, so we only packed my springsuit and a shorty drytop. Was I ever so cold! (I’ll have to write something about dressing properly for the cold one day ) Of course it wasn’t something that a cup of hot chocolate from Pizza by the River couldn’t fix.

The last day is “boat with your family day”. It is the day that we get to show our parents (if they will boat) what we have learned this week. Since we didn’t have a lot of parents and because most of us had to be home early we decided to change the plan a bit. This time we went up to Lake Nantahala to practice our basics one last time and then we headed for the Nantahala. Since we were short on time, we put in at Ferebee. (and yes I had my cold water gear this time). The trip down went really well and everyone was having a great time.

As we got down to the bottom I made a decision… I was going to run the falls. I know I’ve been down quite a few rivers, but it seems that every time I’ve been on the Nanty I’ve just been worn out. As I was going through the bump I saw my dad over in the eddy taking pictures so I went over to give him the news of what I was doing and then headed down to the takeout above the falls. The rest of the group got out and headed to the falls. (everyone loves carnage).

Ms Juliette and I set up for the run. We stopped at Truckstop eddy and Ms Juliette explained the lines. She peeled out first and I peeled out just after. We went left of the top hole and then headed river right. I lost site of Ms Juliette and tried to head as far river right of the flow as possible. I ended up in the foam pile at the bottom of the falls seeing nothing but white. Next thing I know I see Ms Juliette in the eddy smiling and hear lots of yelling coming from the shore. I’ve made it through the falls.