Ward Swann, Yadkin River State Trail Coordinator
Don’t put away those canoes and kayaks just yet! You don’t have to have special gear; you can enjoy great paddling in the Yadkin Basin well into November. Even if you don’t join us on one of the two trips we have planned in October, you should absolutely get out to one of the reservoirs like Tuckertown, Badin or Falls. But the real joy is experiencing Fall from the seat of your boat with the steep, colorful mountain sides guiding the murmuring river. Or perhaps you’d like to enjoy eavesdropping on October owls as the day transitions to night. These are what makes me excited about Fall Paddle Trips.
One of our trips will celebrate Great Trails Day with a paddle from Ronda to Elkin on October the 17th. We’ll meet at Crater park in the morning and shuttle boats and people in as few cars as possible up to Ronda Memorial Park for a beautiful trip on one of the favorite sections of the Yadkin River State Trail. Bring a lunch that you can enjoy on the side of the river and a snack you can sneak from the seat of a boat and join us on a beautiful trip through mountains and farmland.
A week later you can join us October 24th for an overnight Harvest Moon Paddle at Easy Bend Farms. Come out in the late afternoon to enjoy the last of Fall leaves. Stay on the water for the sunset and the moonrise. Listen for the changing of the day animals to the night animals. When you get chilled, huddle up by the fire for conversation. Bring a shareable dinner. When your eyelids get heavy, hit the sack to wake up in the morning, still by the river at beautiful Easy Bend. I’m really looking forward to this one.