March 24, 2018 Soul-O Day Trip to the Ocoee then March 25 two runs on Wilson Creek, Paddling Day by Day

At work today we had a very sobering incident that puts some things into perspective. It was an major life event that makes me feel good about pursuing my passions as strongly as I am physically able and to continue to do this as long as I can. 

My good friend and colleague had a major heart attack in the cube we share this morning at about 6:30 am. Complete with the chest pain and left arm numbness we have all heard of as the tell tale signs of a heart attack. I drove him to the hospital in Morganton and then they transferred him to a hospital in Hickory to give him the treatment he needed. He had a stint in before 9 am. It reminds me a lot of the day my father had an aneurysm and how close we came to losing him all those years ago. 

We need to make the most of every day and try to enjoy the time we have, life is too short.

On the 24th day of March, I left the house at about 6 am and got to the Ocoee around 10. I had set my shuttle and was on the river by 10:30. I dropped my kayak at the put-in, drove to Hell Hole, then hitch hiked back to the put-in, thanks to the paddler who gave me a ride back up to the top. It was early in the season, overcast and 100% chance of precipitation making it the perfect day for me to paddle the Ocoee: almost no raft traffic and not many kayaks out.

Post Ocoee run I hiked 2 miles up Goforth Creek then 2 miles back down. It is a beautiful creek and well maintained trail up to a point then I could not find where it went. It literally rained the majority of the time I was in the car but not at all while I paddled or hiked, just a little drizzle.

Wilson Creek, the following day I caught up with Steven and Russ for my first run and their 3rd and 2nd respectively. Robbie Whisnant caught up to me for my 2nd and his first run. Great times and great lines!

Artsy creek shot