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The Blue Ridge Voyageurs

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Notice: Voice Your Concern About Allowing Guns in National Parks and Wildlife Refuges - Posted 05/06/08

The Department of the Interior, through the National Park Service and the Fish and Wildlife Service, proposes to amend regulations presently codified in 36 CFR part 2 and 50 CFR part 27, which provide guidance and controls for the possession and transportation of firearms in national park areas and national wildlife refuges. The proposed amendments would update the regulations to reflect current state laws authorizing the possession of concealed firearms, while maintaining the existing regulatory provisions that ensure visitor safety and resource protection such as the prohibitions on poaching and limitations on hunting and target practice.

To read the Proposed Rule in it's entirety and to voice your opinions, Click Here. You must have Adobe Reader to read this PDF file:

Notice: First Aid and Swiftwater Rescue Classes Offered - Posted 04/21/08

The Adventure Sports Center Rescue School located in Western Md., can help to insure that your outdoor experience is a safe one. We are starting classes for the 2008 season in wilderness medicine (thru Solo). Courses that we are offering are Wilderness First Aid and Wilderness First Responder. CPR classes (AHA) and Swiftwater rescue classes from Intro to Advance offered by the ACA. For more information go to our website.

Notice: Think Pink this Valentine's Day - Paddles that Battle Breast Cancer - Posted 01/24/08

Canoe enthusiasts can make a difference and help save a life by purchasing a Pink Paddle to fight breast cancer. Designed and developed by Sue Prom, owner of Voyageur Canoe Outfitters, and manufactured by Wenonah Canoe with the support of its CEO Mike Cichanowski, the Pink Paddle is a proud supporter of the National Breast Cancer Foundation whose mission is, "To save lives by increasing awareness of breast cancer through education and by providing mammograms for those in need."

The Pink Paddle is not only a functional, bent-shaft, graphite, paddle but is also a beautiful piece of art. The logo on the paddle is a wish or a blessing to anyone, but especially to those who have been affected by breast ancer. Created by Sue and a few Maori symbols, the logo is a wish that mans, "May your new beginning bring you strength, peace and tranquility and may your journeys over water always be safe."

Sue Prom owns and operates Voyageur Canoe Outfitters along with her husband Mike. Voyageur is located at the end of Minnesota's Gunflint Trail on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. She also updates a daily blog about the BWCA and produces a bi-monthly newsletter.

For more information about Pink Paddles visit the website at http://www.pinkpaddles.com or call Sue Prom at 1-888-CANOEIT.

Notice: Sign Up NOW for the Stream Cleaner Environmental Forum March 31 - April 25, 2008 - Posted 01/24/08

"The students are learning a great deal about our watershed. Something that I hadn't counted on is that they are learning life lessons on how to deal with people of different ages and abilities." Richard D. Newcomer, Science Teacher, Massanutten Regional Governor's School, VA

Cacapon Institute is pleased to announce the 3rd Annual Stream Cleaner Environmental Forum. Last year, 300 students from 19 classes in three states participated in the SCE Forum. This year your school could join them in what one teacher called a "life-changing opportunity!"

To register, get more information, download a flyer, or sign up a school, please visit the eForum Information & Sign Up web page. To see the lessons and format of the SCE Forum click on the phone at http://www.cacaponinstitute.org/high.htm. We encourage volunteers and natural resource professionals to suggest the SCE Forum to a school near you. Better yet, contact a teacher and become a partner in education by participating in the SCE Forum as a mentor on the importance of conservation and civic engagement in problem solving.

In the SCE Forum, students: explore the science and challenges of non point source pollution; role play as stakeholders to draft position papers that are then posted on the web; support or challenge their peers across the internet in a lively but moderated dialogue; and ultimately come together as a class to build a consensus solution that is acceptable to all stakeholder groups.

When coupled with an outdoor, hands-on experience, like a ceremonial tree planting for Arbor Day, or construction of a rain garden for Earth Day, the SCE Forum completes a Meaningful Watershed Education Experience, a requirement in D.C., Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia schools (search "MWEE" at http://www.chesapeakebay.net).

We have technical resources available and can help participating schools obtain funds to implement their own watershed stewardship project. Classes might plant a riparian buffer, establish a management plan for a stream, control erosion problems, launch an education campaign, or any number of best management practices. Schools don't need to be near a stream because terrestrial projects like controlling rooftop and parking lot runoff also improve water quality.

The SCE Forum is open to up to 30 high school classes -- urban, suburban, or rural - anywhere in the Chesapeake Bay watershed that has internet access. The lessons are available on line now and the interactive phase will run from March 31 - April 25, 2008. Teachers should plan on devoting at least 45-60 minutes of class time to the activity twice a week during the dialogue phase. The SCE Forum fosters critical thinking on real issues that are relevant to students' lives. It also teaches societal decision making in the context of watershed science and protecting rivers and watersheds. Our web site includes lesson plans and suggestions on using the SCE Forum for science, social studies, vocational agriculture, and language arts classes.

The peer-to-peer dialogue brings the lessons to life for participating students. Look what some past students had to say:

"There are about 150 major rivers and streams that run into the Chesapeake drainage basin. It is our job to keep these rivers and streams clean, so that we don't lose the Bay forever. " High School Stakeholder's Point of View, Petersburg, WV, Spring 2006

"Believe it or not this forum isn't just some stupid assignment your teacher decided to do because he/she didn't feel like making lesson plans. This is something you have the privilege to partake in . It's real. We really are losing the Bay and fast...So, grow up a little and actually put forth your best ideas because who knows, .... you just may save the Bay." Seniors from Broadway High School, VA, addressing 9TH graders from Jefferson, WV, Spring 2007

Ad: Vintage Boating Van For Sale - Posted 11/07/07

Former BRV member, Bud Fakoury, is selling his 1991 Conversion Chevrolet van. It is generally in excellent condition, reliable, and well maintained. Maintenance records are available. It is probably good for another 100,000+ miles. Here are the specs:

1991 Chevrolet Conversion (Starcraft) VAN
Mileage 123,000
V8 5.7 litre engine
Towing package with hitch lock
Running Boards
Shades on all side windows
Yakima Roof racks
Air concitioning
Power steering, door locks and windows.
Cruise control
AM/FM cassette radio
New Transmission
New Water pump
New Tires
TV and VCR
Fold down seats for bed, sleeps two
Four Captain's chairs, one bench seat, seats seven (7)
Captains chairs can be easily removed for more room, but not necessary to be removed for sleeping

PRICE: $2500
Kelley Blue Book Value for a conventional Van: $2400
Blue Book value for conversion van not available, but would be considerably more.

Click here to see photos of this van.

Call Bud at (703) 323-9221 or e-mail him at ebudf30@cox.net

Notice: New BRV Message Board - Posted 02/25/07

At long last the BRV has created it's own Message Board. You can access it from BRV's Links page at www.blueridgevoyageurs.org/club_links.htm. Join your fellow BRV's in setting up trips and discussing recent boating news. Our President, Jim Pruitt, will be monitoring the content of the message board postings, so keep it clean and civil. Please contact Jim for details on logging in and any other questions regarding usage of the message board.

Notice: 15% Discount from Kayak Shed - Posted 02/25/07

As a reward for posting a link to it's web site, Kayak Shed, an Oregon online kayaking store (http://www.kayakshed.com), has offered BRV members a 15% discount on all non-sale purchases (boats excluded).

Ad: A Wilderness Vacation in a Paddler’s Paradise - Posted 02/25/07

In the mountains near Smithers, British Columbia. Easily accessible by air, road or rail, yet located in a true wilderness setting. Join one of our all-inclusive vacation packages of lodge-based courses and tours. Or rent the lodge and do your own thing. Canoe, kayak, raft, bike, hike, fish, ski, or view the abundant wildlife.

It’s like your own private wilderness area, but with all the comforts of home. Great for family vacations, corporate retreats, seminars, or club outings. Visit our website at www.canyoncreekbritishcolumbia.com To reserve Canyon Creek, email info@canyoncreekbritishcolumbia.com or call 888-847-4349 (Roger McColm). Mention this ad and 5% of your rental goes to your local paddling organization.

Notice: Running the Moormans River - Posted 04/17/06

Konrad Zeller is willing to assist members wanting to run the Moormans River near Charlottesville Va (II-III). 434-989-1025

Ad: Buy Gourmet Coffee and support American Whitewater - Posted 05/9/05

Gourmet coffee retailer, Little River Roasting, is donating $1.00 from each sale of their American Whitewater Riverside Roast coffee blend to AW. For a description of this offer or to order, click here.

Notice: Help Needed with Cheat Canyon Access - Posted 04/15/05

Mountain Streams and Trails, the oldest outfitter in West Virginia's Cheat Canyon, recently purchased the takeout for both the Cheat and Big Sandy Rivers. This key piece of property, located just below the High Bridge at Jenkinsburg, has been used continuously by canoeists, kayakers, and rafters since the mid-1950's. Increased use by ATV riders and college party groups during the last two decades has caused considerable damage to the land. Jenkinsburg is now known for terrible erosion and industrial strength litter.

After more than five decades in the hands of a regional power company the property was sold to Allegheny Wood Products, a large hardwood timber producer based in Petersburg, West Virginia. Efforts to negotiate an access agreement with AWP was unsuccessful. Although the access remained open, there was no formal agreement and the company regularly threatened to close it down.

During the past year Dave Hough, the managing partner of Mountain Streams and Trails, negotiated a land swap. He traded a portion of his property below Albright for the Jenkinsburg Access. He and his company are committed to maintaining river access for private paddlers but they need our support.

American Whitewater has agreed to take responsibility for upgrading and maintaining the upper parking lot, which is where most private paddlers park. The area is now filled with deep potholes and truck-stopping mega-puddles, so considerable grading and filling is needed. The project is currently going out to bid, and ball-park estimates range from $5000 - $10,000.

We need your donations to make this happen and to fulfill our promise to the outfitter. Any money raised beyond the cost of improving the parking lot will be used to pay for other improvements at the site and to fund a police presence during busy weekends.

American Whitewater has established a Cheat River Fund at their relocated offices in the Washington, DC area. Your gifts will be tax-deductible. To donate, make checks out to American Whitewater - Cheat River Fund and mail to:

American Whitewater - Cheat River Fund, 204B Philadelphia Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912.

Charlie Walbridge
American Whitewater & Friends of Cheat
Rt. 1, Box A43B, Bruceton Mills, WV 26525
304-379-9002; ccwalbridge@cs.com

Notice: New Web Site to Post Your Photos - Posted 07/18/04

Canoe and Kayak Magazine has a new tool on their website, www.canoekayak.com, that allows anybody to post paddling related photos they have on their computer onto our site. Simply go to http://forums.canoekayak.com/photopost/. Click on Upload Photos in the top menu and follow the directions from there. We encourage you to check out the different categories to choose which one will best fit your photo. Please share this new feature with other paddlers!

Notice: 10% Discount on Caribbean Paddle Adventure trip - Posted 06/22/04

As a reward for posting a link to it's web site, Costalba Expeditions, a Costa Rica Adventure Travel company (http://www.costalba.com), has offered BRV members a 10% discount on the cost of their Caribbean Paddle Adventure trip. Interested members should visit http://www.costalba.com/tours/itineraries/caribbean_paddle_adventure.html for a description of the trip.

Ad: Canoe & Kayak Sailing Rigs - Posted 2/9/04

SailBoats To Go offers sail kits for canoes, kayaks and inflatable boats and lists much information on canoe sailing. They also sell canoe and kayak stabilizer float systems (outriggers). They offer a 5% discount to club members.

Notice: River Information Phone Number Change - Posted 10/21/03

The National Weather Service recorded river information phone number has changed from 703-260-0309 to 703-260-0107. This new number has a phone tree like the old one: Press 1 to get forecast information, then press 3 for the river forecasts and levels. Both numbers appear to be working as of 10/21/03, but presumably the old number will be disconnected shortly. Please make a note of the changed number.

Notice: Gooney Run Takeout - Posted 05/30/03

Please note that there is a $1 per person fee for anyone taking out on Gooney Run Campground land. This includes the obvious campground land above the bridge as well as some land below the bridge (extent of which is unknown). Please check in at the house at the campground if no one comes to you to solicit the money. Even if you do not see anyone, if the campground owner sees you leaving without paying, our access to the campground for takeout purposes may be jeopardized in the future. A group of BRV's boated Gooney Run on April 12th of this year and a lady at the campground came to us immediately after we got off the river asking for the $1 fee. She was irate that a group ahead of us had left without paying her and threatened to close off access if that continues to happen.

Besides parking at the campground, it appears there are 2 other places to park to take out from Gooney:

1) In a road pullout across the road from the campground. Part of this pullout is posted and part of it isn't. People parking here typically carry up near the bridge. However, upstream of the bridge you will definitely traverse campground land. Downstream you are either on campground land, as claimed, or another person's land. Seeking permission is the right way to go here, since landowners may see you as a trespasser even if you manage to stay in a bridge right-of-way.

2) At Karo Landing, which is reached by turning right down a small gravel road. This is a signed fishing access for the NF Shenandoah. There's only enough room for about 4 vehicles here and parking on grass is a no-no. If you leave a vehicle at the roadside pullout to make more space at the landing, it is probably best that all people in your party take out at the landing.