Deb Klinger, wife of original member Jock, still lives on the ole homestead near Logan, Ohio. Anytime the club wants to paddle in the area she graciously lets them camp on the property. This year was no different as trip leader Tony planned an outing on the Hocking River and Rush Creek. A port-a-potty was rented so as not to intrude on Deb's home and it was delivered on Thursday afternoon before Tony and wife Alice and the 3 yorkies arrived. Camp was sat up as Harold and Laurie, and then Wil pulled in and also sat up camps. The weather called for some rain for the weekend but all was good for Thursday. After Deb bought the clan dinner at the Hometown Tavern (great food) it was time for a great campfire and reminiscing of the past. The evening went way too fast and it soon was bedtime.
Friday morning was fine but there were still the threats of rain showers. Rush Creek was the destination and since there had been rain earlier in the week the USGS stream gauge on the Hocking at Enterprise was at 3 feet, so they knew Rush Creek would be good. Tom Greene and friend Chuck, AKA Bubba, were joining the group arriving around 9:30 am. The shuttle commenced soon after and 2 trucks with 5 canoes headed to Sugar Grove to find put in and take out spots. Tony had permission to park in the Methodist Church parking lot but the shoreline was too steep for a take out. Heading upstream they found a decent take out point on Hansley Road although they would have to drag the canoes up a slight embankment. The put in was where Rush Creek crosses ST RT 312 just south of Bremen, Ohio.
The canoes were unloaded, then Tony and Tom shuttled trucks around with the members finally getting on the water at 12:25 pm. Rush Creek looks like it may have been dredged in the past as it is very straight with steep banks and no sandbars. It kind of reminded Tony of the Killbuck Creek. You couldn't get out to pee if you had to. The creek was muddy but flowing very nicely. In fact they averaged around 4 mph without working very hard, except at times when a gust of wind came full force into their faces. The rain held off and it was a wonderful paddle. They saw lots of soft shell turtles, a Baltimore Oriole, raccoon with babies and a snapping turtle. They also saw three dead critters, a muskrat, deer and a black and white dog. That's the most dead animals on one trip ever. The 11.25 mile trip was over at 3:15 pm.
Arriving back at camp, Ted and Connie were there but were staying at a local hotel. A former member, Ann Patrick, had contacted Tony about some old memorabilia she had from the club back in the late 80's and early 90's. She remembered Ted and came from Lancaster to Deb's place to see everyone. It was a great visit then after she left hot dogs and brats over the fire lead to games of 5 crowns. Deb's son-in-law came to help Deb with some chores and Mike hung out for the weekend with them. Around 10:30 pm it just let loose with rain and wind. Most went to tents but Wil hosted some under his shelter so the party didn't have to stop.
Saturday morning was perfect with sun shining through partly cloudy skies and very little chance of rain. The days put in was at the intersection of ST RT 33 and Sugar Grove road, on the Hocking. Deb did a great favor and helped shuttle the 2 trucks to the take out, so as not having to back track back upstream after paddling. They got on the water at 11:25 am for a 12 mile trip. The Hocking was moving very fast and muddy. As the canoers were passing the Hocking Hills Canopy Tours in Rockbridge, which has zip lining, they heard some squeals and looked up seeing two folks zip lining. A little further downstream and they hit the hoards of canoe livery people out for the day. There were canoes, kkkayaks and rubber rafts with folks drifting and enjoying themselves. Rounding one bend they saw a guy with a dog rapidly walking to his boat, then in the woods they saw a young lady hurriedly fixing her pants. What a fun day for that couple.
The take out was at the Falls Mill Bridge on ST RT 664 at 2:35 pm. There are concrete steps with a canoe slide built in between. With the fast moving water you had to get out quickly and pull your boat up fast. If you missed, you would go over the falls and that would not be good. Everyone made it except Wil; He decided to get out at the Hocking Hills Canoe Livery 1/4 to 1/2 mile before the falls. After loading canoes they went to get Wil then headed over to the Brewery 33 to meet the other folks for drinks and live acoustical music. Chuck and dog Cookie joined the group after work and now there are 12. Deb, Mike, Tony, Alice, Harold, Laurie, Ted, Connie, Tom, Bubba, Chuck and Wil.
Back at Deb's the members relaxed then started getting ready for the traditional potluck. Talk about food...there was smoked pulled pork, sweet potatoes with onions, O'Brien potatoes, pasta salad, green beans, veggies, fruit, zucchini cake and probably more. After eating and betting on the Preakness horse race, it was again time for a campfire. The wood was burning hot and there was plenty of it. The evening went fast and around midnight it was over.
Sunday morning Chuck and Cookie were up early and left to go canoe further downstream alone. Tom and Bubba got on the road soon after as did Ted and Connie. The others went to breakfast at M and M's diner which Deb said had great food and she was right. As noon came they slowly packed up and headed for home concluding another wonderful paddling weekend. Until next month, keep the open end up!!!
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