5/8/16 Kayaking the Nolichucky River with Phil Jones, Lee Belknap, and Mort C-One. Great level to get dialed into the Mullet!

 The level was about 1700 cfs. Weather was perfect and the views were amazing. The Nolichucky River has one of the most beautiful gorges in the south east. The train tracks create a small eye sore but the last 2 runs I've done this spring, there were no trains coming through so none of the regular noise pollution.

 Lee showed me some new lines. Fun stuff for sure.

 Phil surfing it up in the Mullet!

First Week of May has been a good one. It started out with paddling Wilson Creek Soul-O in the Mullet on Sunday, Tuesday after-work I got to ride some new trails, Wednesday after-work MTB in Wilson Creek Area, feeling fortunate.

 The level when I got to the creek early morning.  I decided to kill time hoping the creek would rise. I dropped my running shoes off below Screaming Right Turn then headed up stream stopping on the way up to scout a few rapids and look at the low water lines, I had not run the creek this low in a few years. I drove up to the concrete bridge at Craig Creek Rd but opted against launching my kayak there since some fishermen were already recreating in that area. I decided to pay a little tribute to the first time I visited and camped at Wilson Creek in '95 or '96? with John and Billy. I had a Dancer and they took turns running the slides in a Rubber Duckie.
Anyway, there was water and I had a blast paddling my Mullet for the first time one of, if not my favorite Creek.

It was great putting in where I first camped and the water was definitely higher up stream

I took my time paddling down and surfed every wave I could. The Mullet is a great bow surfing boat. It carves back and forth so smoothly and predictably. I went for a few splats but still need to work on my technique, there is a lot of stern to get down in the water. I will get there, love a challenge!

 Another thing I love about the mullet, it fits inside the van.

The guys from Luna Cycles were hosting their big Gravel Road Bicycle Race. It is over 100 miles. Those guys are animals.

 The level when I left.

I got in two after work MTB rides. The first was on Tuesday with Johnny Calhoun in Little Pisgah. Great trail system and I cant wait to hit it up again. It is a long haul from home so I think next time will be on a weekend.
My second MTB ride with my boss David Ziegler. We were going to go to Warrior Creek but the trails were closed so I took the opportunity to show him some of the Wilson Creek Area treats. I hate that I didnt bring my camera. We rode about 20 miles, not bad for after work. He doesnt seem to mind pedaling down some of the dirt roads to get the the single track treats and you can log some miles and fitness doing that.
We have had a cool front come through this week and it was been nice and cool temps. I love it! Feeling very fortunate.

The last week of April was a pretty fun one: I managed to Hike, MTB, Kayak, and Back Pack!

 Sunday hike with Felix and a cold and tasty beverage.

 Tuesday Kitsuma MTB ride with Gerhard and David Z. Good to finally hit the trails with my boss.

 We met the guys behind The Tacoed Wheel at the Ridgecrest parking lot. I really loved their work truck / bike shop. I hope this business plan works out for them. Awesome!!

 Back on the Catawba for more after-work surfing fun and front stroke practice.

 I saw a huge otter here but was not fast enough to get a picture of him.

I love this kayak.
Friday I backpacked up to the top of Gingercake for a crazy overnighter. Three guys from the Greensboro area came up and set up camp close to mine since there are not too many spots up there. They brought music (disco) and had a bright disco light in their big family sized tent - it was weird but kind of funny. I crashed early so not sure how crazy they got. I've managed 3 single nite backpack trips in 3 weekends. I plan to keep up the trend with a long term goal in mind.
Back home early Saturday morning to spend most of the day with Starla.