I know what your thinking, paddle boats are for girls.  With Hobie Cat Mirage Adventure Island you can propel yourself via paddle, pedal, or sail. And it looks pretty stable too.  Technically, they’re not paddles -they’re a “Mirage Drive” which is like two fins that somehow propel you through the use of two fins hooked up to bicycle pedals.  Here’s some features from Hobie’s website:

• A boomless, roller-furling sail rig similar to the rig on the Hobie Bravo with plenty of sail area for excellent performance, completely manageable from the cockpit with the pull of a line.
• Two retractable amas that fold up against the side of the boat, again with the simple pull of a line, for easy docking, maneuverability, and transport.
• The cockpit is the stable platform of the Hobie Mirage Adventure Kayak, offering full versatility as a pedaling kayak when conditions are not convenient for sailing. All 2007 model year Adventure Kayaks, including the Fish model, will have inserts molded into the hulls so that they may be upgraded to an Adventure Island with a kit available through the Parts Department. The ama colors will be limited, and the Adventure Island will cost more when purchased via an upgrade kit rather than purchased initially as a complete boat package.
• The Hobie Mirage Drive allows the boat to be pedaled while under sail, or simply pedaled with the sail furled for versatility not found in any other sailboat.
• The Adventure Island is loaded with additional standard features such as a daggerboard; oversized “Twist and Stow” rudder; Mast and Sail Cover; and an Ama/Daggerboard Bag.

If it just had a built in cooler……..

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My favorite paddling shop,  Go With The Flow, is putting on Canoe and Kayak demo event on the Chattahoochee in Roswell this Saturday and Sunday (April 5th & 6th).  This is your chance Atlanta to try out over 100 canoes and kayaks on the water!

Here’s the skinny:

• 100+ boats to demo
• Held at the Azlea Park on the ‘Hooch in Roswell
• April 5th and 6th, 10 am to 4 pm
• $10 for adults, children under 12 are free (proceeds go to UCR)
• Discounts on boats from 10-16%

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Put off from late October due to low water levels, The Beetle Battle Paddle is going on tomorrow, March the 29th.  It’s a benefit aimed at fighting Hemlock Woolly Adelgid - an invasive and destructive, parasitic beetle that is attacking populations of Eastern Hemlock trees throughout the forests of the eastcoast, and now, here in Georgia!

The paddle is a self guided trip down the lower section of the Chestatee River in North Georgia.  There is also refreshments (paid & complimentary) half way down.

There are shuttles available, and Appalachian Outfitters is donating 100% of canoe and kayak rentals to the cause.  So come on out, with a name like that it’s got to be a blast!

For more information, visit canoegeorgia.com or call Appalachian Outfitters at 706-864-7117

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The Problem:

The redbay tree may soon face extinction across the Southeast thanks to a rapidly advancing virulent fungus, the causative agent of laurel wilt disease. The trees are an important food source for a variety of wildlife including some popular game birds, deer and songbirds.

The wilt disease, carried by a species of ambrosia beetle that is not native to the United States, has spread rapidly throughout the coastal states since its initial observation in 2003. It was likely introduced to the U.S. in 2002 when the beetles hitched a ride on shipping pallets coming into Port Wentworth, Ga., near Savannah. The beetles are native to India, Japan and Taiwan.

Read more…

The other problem:

Hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae, was accidentally introduced to North America and is currently a great threat to eastern hemlocks. Native to Asia, the first North American reports were in British Columbia, Canada in 1922 and in Oregon in 1924. Hemlock woolly adelgid was found near Richmond, Virginia in 1951. The insect is now found from northern Georgia to southern Maine, and from northern California to southeast Alaska.

The Solutions:

Entomologists at Virginia Tech are now studying a beetle from Japan that may be a natural predator of Adelges tsugae, or hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). Scientists hope the Japanese beetle will curb the rapid spread of the HWA without damaging forest ecosystems.

Read more… 

-and-

March 29, 2008

Beetle Battle Paddle
A benefit to help save the hemlock trees

Due to current water levels, the Beetle Battle Paddle has been rescheduled from October 2007 to March 29, 2008. For more information go to www.canoegeorgia.com or call 706-864-7117.

Just for fun quote:” We cannot but pity the boy who has never fired a gun; he is no more humane, while his education has been sadly neglected. ” -Henry David Thoreau

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Yup, three days after getting my new canoe, I blew my back out. This weekend, I quit whining and got out on the water. The whole idea was that we’d get a boat big enough for Jenn, myself, and hopefully the two dogs - Aspen and Layla. I know, two people, two dogs, one canoe?

People were looking at us like we were crazy, and in retrospect, perhaps we were.  With the dogs moving around, and it being Jenn’s first time in a canoe - we’re lucky we didn’t go over.

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A couple of folks asked, so I wanted to share. I must have been good this year, cause Santa was as good to me as I ever remember.

First up, a Coleman Duel Fuel lantern. I’ve had an old propane powered single mantle lantern for years, and it’s been great. But this was a huge step up not only for the extra mantle, but that it can run on arguably the most available fuel around: unleaded gasoline.

This will be (i hope) more convenient for resupplying on longer trips, since gas stations are more prevalent than Walmarts in the boonies. Also, it’s always a pain when having to track down a REI or Walmart when travelling via plane.

Nalgene makes a great product, as best covered here. North Face also makes a great product. Both companies have been criticized lately for getting away from their core businesses, but this has got to be a home run!

On the outside, a super tough lexan skin sporting the NF logo. Inside, is a slide out plastic liner that won’t hold the smell and taste of booze (scotch flavored vodka must be awful). The outer part of the cap (blue part) actually slides off, making a neat little jigger sized measuring cup!

Lastly, I just can’t figure out how he got down the chimney with this one. Nothing less than a 17 foot red Mad River canoe, with a square back. Actually, my wife got me this, making me the luckiest man on the planet. I mean, who gets their husband something that will inevitably lead to more weekend days away from her on the river? This can only mean that she wants to come along…..

I spend so much time working, playing, working, working, playing, charity working….. I forget sometimes to stop and be thankful for all those around me that care so much. I guess that’s the most important part of Christmas, the thoughts and best wishes that these material things represent, not the things themselves.

That said, I look forward to testing the last two out this weekend!

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Georgia Power has elected not to drop water levels on Lake Burton, Seed, and Rabun for the first time since their construction in the 20’s. GA Power thinks it prudent due to the recent inflows into Lake Burton in the midths of a record drought. The fear is, if they release water for hydro electric power during the winter as normal, they may not get the rain needed to replenish it by spring. It’s that bad. So what’s unfortunate for paddlers, may prove interesting for fishermen that normally have difficulty getting boats in the water once it’s below most of the boat ramps. As a conservationist, and paddler, I hate to see the drought effect on our community, and the hell that it must be playing on our local enviorment. But, as a fisherman……………………….

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This was reportedly taken on the South African coast, and is was verified as real by snopes.com:

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The Upper Chattahoochee River Keeper is guiding a paddling trip through the Suatee Valley to HWY 115 this Satuday. If anybody is interested in paddling, new to the sport, or new to the area, this is a great opportunity to check out some of the most beautiful paddling in North Georgia. From the UCR website:

Our river trip begins on Sautee Creek in the Nacoochee Valley downstream of Helen, Georgia. Sautee Creek enters the Chattahoochee after about 1/2 mile. The first river section, which consists of eight miles of Class I-II whitewater, has very little flatwater. It is very secluded and is the most beautiful section of the entire upper Chattahoochee. Changing fall leaves should make it even more beautiful. The second five-mile river section runs from Hwy 255 to Hwy 115. It is also very pretty with some flatwater, including a section named the Dead Sea and one Class II-III rapid at Smith Island. Beginners can run this rapid with instruction.

Meet at Wildwood Outfitters on the river at Hwy 384 in White County at 10:00 am. Wildwood will be closed, so we will need to provide our own shuttle, but rental boats can be arranged. Bring your own lunch, snacks, drinks and dry clothes, just in case you need them.

If you have any questions, call Gary Gaines: 770.654.5501 - Directions to Wildwood: Take Hwy 985 North from Atlanta approximately 20 miles past Gainesville to the 3rd red light. Take a left on Hwy 384(Duncan Br Rd) and travel about 5 miles to the bridge across the Chattahoochee. Turn right next to sign with kayak on top.

I’ve done the first section, and while it’s not challenging, it’s a lot of fun and a great experience.

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