By Ward Swann, Yadkin River State Trail Coordinator
Don’t know about you, but as I write this, Spring Fever has hit. While I see in the forecast 20 degree weather, I’m also seeing the green of Daffodils, the budding of trees not yet taking color and robins starting to hunt worms in the soft, snow-soaked yard. My brain knows it’s a lie, but my heart hears the Spring Peeps roar as we paddle past on the South Yadkin. It’s time to make sure the mice haven’t overwintered in your boats. For those folks with sit inside boats out there, keep birds from nesting in them by putting a cover over the cockpit. I’ve had to change what boat I was going to take more than once due to a little feathered family in progress. Just like Spring, Paddling season is on the way!
Forsyth County Creek Week is giving us an opportunity to kick off with two fan favorites! On March 28th from 1:00pm to 5:00pm we’ll explore the Yadkin with the Town of Lewisville. This trip starts at Old 421 and paddles an enjoyable stretch of water to Huntsville/Shallowford. Paddling it in the early spring is a great way to see further into the woods before the foliage cloaks the landscape. This easy paddling will have a few quick spots but leaves much time to enjoy the natural area so close to Winston-Salem and Lewisville.
The second trip is the next day. Join the Yadkin Riverkeeper staff at Salem Lake from 5pm to 9 on the 29th for a little paddling in the moonlight. Weather permitting, the Moon will rise at 4:30p and the Sun will set at 7:40p. While the Moon won’t be Full, it will have 90% luminance to make paddling in the evening a beautifully memorable experience. Twilight is an excellent time to catch nature’s nightshift start to stir. Gliding from the seat of a canoe or kayak gives you a vantage point that is more open than walking in the woods.
Paddlers are encouraged to bring their own boats. Yadkin Riverkeeper will have a limited number of boats if you do not have your own.
Both trips will highlight the blooms in the trees in contrast to the early spring woods before the leaves fully develop. Come with us to see how the world around the waters wakes up from the cold.