5/25/2013: Big Laurel Cr., US-70 - Hot Springs

	With: Curt Walk, Cat Thrash
	The night before, Cat and I drove to Jennifer Plyler and Paula Sorenson's house for the HUGE brithday bash Jennifer threw for Paula. Jay Gatsby has nothing on Jennifer when it comes to organizing massive and elaborate parties! The painted gauge was about 2.5" above gauge-zero. We paddled with Curt, also one of J and P's guests, and Curt's brother-in-law Joe, then returned to the party for a wonderful afternoon and evening, with great food, a quality bluegrass band, and the nationally-known duo of Al Pettaway and Amy White (if you've ever watched a Ken Burns documentary, you have heard Al's guitar playing). I met the prettiest woman that night, a professional colleague of Jennifer's who turned out to be as beautiful inside as she is outside: smart, sweet-natured, generous of spirit, and with a gleam in her eye betraying a sly sense of humor. Good thing she was visiting from Washington State or I would be tempted to forget my determination to avoid emotional involvements. Jennifer certainly picks her friends well!

	1. Big Laurel Creek gauge, under the US25/70 bridge

	2. Curt Walk at the gauge

	3. Big Laurel Creek

	4. Joe and Curt on Big Laurel Creek

	5. Curt on Big Laurel Creek

	6. Cat Thrash on Big Laurel Creek

	7. Joe entering Stairstep Rapid

	8. Joe and Curt entering Stairstep Rapid

	9. Joe in Stairstep

	10. Curt in Stairstep

	11. Curt finishing Stairstep

	12. Curt on Big Laurel Creek

	13. Joe on Big Laurel Creek

	14. Cat on Big Laurel Creek

	15. Joe on the ledge above Suddy Hole

	16. Someone I don't know, running Suddy Hole

	17. The Narrows on Big Laurel Creek

	18. Joe finishing The Narrows

	19. Curt in The Narrows

	20. Cat in The Narrows

	21. Cat finishing The Narrows

	22. Cat on Big Laurel Creek

	23. Cat and Joe on Big Laurel Creek

	24. Joe and Cat on Big Laurel Creek

	25. Cat in the last biggish rapid on Big Laurel Creek

	26. Cat in the last biggish rapid on Big Laurel Creek

	27. Joe in the last biggish rapid on Big Laurel Creek

	28. Joe in the last biggish rapid on Big Laurel Creek

	29. Paula's birthday cake!