5/13/2015: Chattooga R., Section III: Earl's Ford to US-76 Bridge
With: Dan Bertko, Kim Buttleman, Lee Belknap, Karen Egbert, Jon Hitchings, Ned Howenstine, Keith Merkel, Len Rice, Jenny Thomas
Len arrived at camp early in the morning, so we were finally at a full compliment of ten boaters. Dan's wife Lois drove their Sprinter van to the put-in, so mine was the only vehicle we left at the put-in. The water was pretty low (I consider 1.6' to be boating zero) but everything was boatable; there were a few hang-ups in the shoaly bits, but no-one had to get out and walk. We put on at Earl's Ford, the upper put-in, because those first three miles are possibly the most beautiful part of Section III. This morning, with every stroke, my chest hurt where I had landed on my camera the day before. It had not bothered me over night, but I seriously considered taking out at Sandy Ford and walking/hitching back to get my van, but I made the selfish decision to be the weak link in the group and go all the way. Glad I did, because it was the last boating I did all week. We had a couple of short swims at Second Ledge (not including me, I'm glad to report) but I was still afraid of my boat so I (and most of the others) carried around Bull Sluice. That evening we drove into Clayton, GA and ate at la Cantina, a much more satisfactory Mexican Restaurant.
1. Ned running Dick's Creek Ledge on Chattoga III
2. Ned running Dick's Creek Ledge on Chattoga III
3. Entrance rapid to The Narrows, on Chattoga III
4. The Narrows, on Chattoga III
5. Dan in The Narrows, on Chattoga III
6. Kim approaching Second Ledge on Chattoga III
7. Kim at Second Ledge on Chattoga III
8. Len at Second Ledge, on Chattoga III
9. Ned and Len below Second Ledge, on Chattoga III
10. Lee at Second Ledge, on Chattoga III
11. Jenny approaching Second Ledge on Chattoga III
12. Dan at Second Ledge, on Chattoga III
13. Kim, in some unnamed general goodness on Chattoga III
14. Kim, in some unnamed general goodness on Chattoga III
15. Jenny in Painted Rock, on Chattoga III
16. Lee in Painted Rock, on Chattoga III
17. Dan in Painted Rock, on Chattoga III
18. Ned in Painted Rock, on Chattoga III
19. Peace and beauty on Chattoga III
20. Ned in the Eddy of Salvation; Bull Sluice on Chattoga III
