After paddling just a few months, Elizabeth has stepped it up and made her first runs on the Ocoee Memorial Day weekend with JBob, Meryl and I taking turns, leading her through the rapids.

It started with an "Ocoee Light" run, beginning at Slice-N-Dice, with the idea that she could take out at Go Forth Creek, if she was having too big a day. She aced the boof at the far right side of Double Suck and while leading her through Double Trouble, I turned around and looked at her while she was running the meat and she was all smiles. Her first run on Ocoee went fairy smooth, with only a couple of rolls and no swims. When we got to the takeout and we started making noise about second run, she shrugged and said, "OK".

This time, we put on at the put in... and took off at the Commercial Take Out(while getting fussed at by the rangers). We did sneak a little here and there but mostly we were running main lines and then some. She rolled a few times, but no swims. There was a mild mishap at Hell Hole when Elizabeth got stuck in the hole and Meryl crashed into her. They were both fumbling around upside down, but both rolled up and took a breather before running PowerHouse, where Elizabeth did a fair bit of underwater exploration, but refused to exit her boat. Run number two. No swims.

Two runs on the Ocoee on her first day. I can't remember anyone doing that. Usually, they get off the river, kiss the ground, declare a victory and are ready to go home.

Sunday didn't go quite as smooth. A funky line through Slice-N-Dice resulted in a crash and burn in a big hole and a swim for Elizabeth. Later, she pinned briefly on the Diamond Splitter rock and opted for a swim as well. The water was high that day my friends. Some said the Ocoee flashed up to nearly 3000 cfs in the afternoon. A little extra water makes the Ocoee pretty interesting.

Monday went a little smoother, with only a couple of rolls and no swims.

Congrats to Elizabeth for doing 4 runs in 3 days. Not bad for a newbie.

I'm not surprised, you're an awesome boater, Elizabeth. Congratulations, this will make your summer much more fun!
~Sarah

I hope you'll still boat with me E! I'm gonna need a chasae boater when they take me down this summer...

Nice work. Looking forward to the next adventure.

Brandon

Kick ass, Elizabeth! I would say that I can't wait to run the Ocoee, but that's just not true. Even thinking about it makes me want to vomit! But, when I do decide to, I sure want you there coaching me!

Sorry we missed you last weekend. Sko' boatin' soon!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/28/2008 02:28PM by bethany.

..my hero

Thanks for posting this Dale. It's pretty difficult to get Elizabeth to describe a victorious run. She could come over Niagra Falls, resurface, flip, roll and live to tell about it. However, the only description a person would ever hear about the run is, "I flipped." Then, she'd hold her head down for having done so. She's one of the most humble people I've ever met. (She's one of most persistent, focused and courageous too.)

congrats! its all downstream from there!

mwalker

Thanks for all the encouragement all. I had a great time and am looking forward to going back as many times as possible.

I feel so fortunate to have found myself such a fun thing to do with so many nice people. Thanks for teaching me to kayak in the cold, it made swimming in May very pleasant.

night,

Elizabeth

RIGHT ON """""""E""""""""" AWESOME STUFF,,,the Ocoee is a Blast Proud of ya Lady

-James