My apologies for my absence from blogging.  I have no excuse…I’ve just been lazy…ya know, too much paddling.

Since I last wrote,  my buddies and I took a  trip all along the Appalacians.  Dusty and I met Cowboy and Friendly, loaded up  a trailer with 8 boats and hit the road.  Three days on the Ocoee didn’t sound all that great when we started…but after three days, we had never had so much fun on it.  We ran the entire river on the 1st and 2nd days and park’n played at Hells Hole on the 3rd.  Other then a productive day at Hells Hole, the fun part was running it in our creek boats.  We had a great time running different lines, catching as many eddies as possible, and being comfy in our caddies.  I definitely rekindled my love for the Ocoee…not that it faded all that much.  Day 4 was spent on the Pigeon.  Not knowing what we were getting into and trusting the guide books analysis of a class 3-4 river, we were initially disappointed in the class 2-barely 3 run but in retrospect, I had a good time floating down and discovering some great little eddy lines.  On the 5th day, we were lucky enough to learn of a free shuttle at the New (once we arrived at the outfitters) and some of us were able to get another new river under our belts.  Even though it was at low water(relatively) we had a great time on one of the most beautiful places I have been.  The next few days were spent in the Yough area.  Dusty and I ran the Lower while the other two rested up for a big next day.  The Upper Yough on the next day was a great time (for some).  When you’re not on your game, the first major rapids can be quite difficult but fortunately for myself, I was ON and feelin great.  Day 8 was just another relaxing day spent at ASCI.  I had great distaste for ASCI from my previous visit but I ended up having a great time playing at the bottom.  The last and final Day 9 was spent at a rightful place, East Race.  9 Days of paddling in a row really advances you.  Linking multiple days like this, easily teaches you to be “one” with your boat and insists you become a better boater.

Since that trip, my paddling has become much more routine.  My early season lack of East Race water caught up with me and I have really needed andindulged my fix.  I have been to East Race every weekend since it has opened on the weekend of Day 9.   I have taken a much different approach to East Race this season.  I now take my time going down alone.  I use each feature to work on specific aspects of surfing andhave found that Rodeo Hole is my key to advancement.  Cartwheels in Rodeo Hole have been coming more andmore second nature andthis last weekend, I landed my first few LOOPS!  I have been feeling as if my boat is an extension of my body, it has been feeling natural…as if I were born boofing.

I should have a pretty exciting month coming up with a couple more days on the Upper Yough, a new river with a release on the Savage, and the Midwest Rodeo Championships.

Now for those counting…I have paddled for roughly 75 days this calender year and couldn’t be happier about the direction my paddling is headed.