Ramblin' On...

Paul:

This post was originally a summary of some of my September outings but now I want to update it to add some pictures of Paul and an explanation. I met Paul through Brad Helton. They both lived in Charlotte and the plan was for them to pick me up in Glen Alpine on a Friday late in September for a weekend of Ocoee playboating. Paul and I had a few cool beverages and did a lot of talking while Brad drove us the 3 hours to the campground. Over the weekend we had some good times and got to know each other. I was looking forward to taking him down Wilson Creek / Watagua eventually, he had the skills but had never run either. Unfortunately I'll never have the opportunity to turn him onto those jems. I am sorry to report that during late November, Paul had a brain aneurism and did not survive. I am lucky to have gotten to meet Paul, road trip, camp, paddle, and party together. I didnt know Paul for long but it was long enough to find out he was a great guy and the life of the party. Paul I know your up there getting your boof on with the angels. RIP brother.

Paul playing in Flipper

Early September:

Afterwork Raidercamp / Harper Creek with Chris:

Upper Gauley, first Weekend release, Johnny Calhoun and JW:

Judd pickin' & grinnin' by the camp fire.

Next up was a Mountain Biking weekend with Buddy and Tim. Saturday around the parkway and Sunday out in Wilson Creek area:
I got to see the Glen Alpine buffalo herd on my way to Curtis Creek Saturday morning. This is no joke, there is a little herd in Glen Alpine.

Snacking on Heartbreak Ridge:

Sunday with Table Rock in the background.

The Riders Resort campground near the Ocoee, camping with Paul and Brad:

The Flume / landslide:

An incredible sunrise from The Riders Resort:

Brad surfin' it up in Flipper:

Brad and Paul drying their gear after a rainy evening:

We miss you Paul.

I don't feel the suns comin' out today its staying in, its gonna find another way. As I sit here in this misery, I don't think I'll ever see the sun from here. And oh as I fade away, they'll all look at me and say, and they'll say, Hey look at him! I'll never live that way. But that's okay they're just afraid to change. When you feel your life ain't worth living you've got to stand up and take a look around you then a look way up to the sky. And when your deepest thoughts are broken, keep on dreaming boy, cause when you stop dreamin' it's time to die. And as we all play parts of tomorrow, some ways will work and other ways we'll play. But I know we all can't stay here forever, so I want to write my words on the face of today. and then they'll paint it And oh as I fade away, they'll all look at me and they'll say, Hey look at him and where he is these days. When life is hard, you have to change.
Blind Melon's Change.