Announcing a New River Access!

Enjoy the thrill of paddling at Eggleston Falls? Now it is even easier to get to with the addition of a new river access at the Smith River Sports Complex of Irisburg Road in Axton.

The new canoe/kayak access was completed this week and a grand opening ceremony for it and the complex will be held this Sunday from 2-6 p.m.

The access was funded by the Harvest Foundation and is operated by Henry County Parks & Recreation. It is located on the river between the South Martinsville and Marrowbone Creek River Access ramps. Watch for more amenities to be added in the next few weeks including: landscaping, trashcans, signage, and benches.

The access is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m, and ample parking is available. Due to the fact that it is located inside the gates of the Sports Complex, the access will be closed at night. If you foresee that you might be on the river after 8 p.m. it is recommended that you plan to park your shuttle vehicles in the parking lot outside the gate or at another access point.

Even if you are not parking at this access, it makes for a great stop to take a break mid-way on your paddle. While at the Sports Complex be sure to take a walk on the two miles of trail that wander through the property, stop by the concession stand for a cold drink and snack, and visit their state of the art, modern, playground.

New Business in Martinsville!

Looking for a relaxing afternoon activity or an exciting adventure? You can have one or both of those experiences right here in your backyard in Martinsville & Henry County. Stop by and visit Eric Juday and Tracy Petty of Smith River Adventure Outfitters located at the Indian Heritage RV Park on Tensbury Drive in Martinsville. You can't miss it- it's the only building in town with a bright blue kayak on the front! Eric is an American Canoe Association (ACA) certified instructor. He offers canoe/kayak rentals, guided trips, and lessons. Many different trip options are offered: everything from a calm flatwater paddle, to an adventurous ride down Eggleston Falls. You pick your comfort level and Smith River Adventure Outfitters will provide everything else.

I stopped by for a visit this past week as Smith River Adventure Outfitters took their first clients down the Smith River. Lynn & Ashby Pritchett of Martinsville along with their family from South Carolina spent the afternoon taking a guided paddle trip from the South Martinsville River Access to Marrowbone Creek. Most of the group had never paddled before but had an enjoyable time as Eric gave them instruction and pointers throughout the journey. Everyone wore personal floatation devices (PFDs) and helmets to ensure that their journey was safe as well as fun.

Stop by and visit with the friendly staff of Smith River Adventure Outfitters, browse their collection of paddling accessories for sale, and book your next adventure on the Smith River! Visit http://www.smithriveradventureoutfitters.com/ for more information.

Your Input is Needed!

Please help us! In order to provide you with a high quality recreational experience, we are conducting a survey of trail users of the Smith River Trail System in Martinsville and Henry County Virginia. Your cooperation in completing this survey will be greatly appreciated.

Click this link to begin: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB229JUH9S6HM

The survey will close on September 19th, please share this link with all your contacts!

To thank you for completing this survey, all participants will be entered into a drawing to win a free t-shirt from The Smith River Trail System's newest trail "The Dick & Willie Passage", a 4.5 mile paved rail trail coming Spring 2010.

(Don't forget to leave your e-mail address at the end of the survey to register for the drawing.)

Gear Up for Your Next Adventure

Time to clean out the garage and upgrade your equipment! Join us at the Dan River Basin Association's (DRBA) Gear Swap- Sunday, September 6th from 2-6 pm at the North Bassett River Access on Trent Hill Drive in Bassett.

If you're looking to get into a new hobby like fly fishing or paddling, buying used gear can help you get started affordably. Come on out and meet other outdoor enthusiasts too!

Admission is free! Sellers may purchase a booth space for $10; no charge for DRBA members (proceeds from the booth fee will benefit DRBA's work on the Smith River Trail System.)

To register for a booth space, contact 276-634-2545 or drba.va@danriver.org for a registration form. DRBA will pre-advertise items for sale for everyone that registers prior to August 24th.

Here's some of the items you'll see at the Gear Swap:

Paddling Gear:
-- Propulsion Technologies PTR 197 Kayak Paddle, blue blades with rienforced tips
-- Old Town Otter Sport Kayak
-- 16 foot Water Quest 3 Person Canoe

Camping Gear:
-- Alpine Peak Internal Frame Backpack, Maroon & Black
-- Assorted Camping Gear, Backpacks, & Sleeping Bags

Books & Guides:
-- Assorted books on Canoeing and Rock Climbing

Healthy Community Challenge

Saturday, August 8th the Partners for Active Living (PALS) celebrated the end of the Healthy Community Challenge and drew the winner for the trip to Myrtle Beach.

Over 100 people showed up to enjoy music by Joe Washrag and food from Subway. The Healthy Community Challenge began in May and had over 400 participants. Participants did different activities in the community to expose them to the great resources that are available for recreational activities. Each time participants completed a level they received a prize. Those completing all 3 levels had their names put in a drawing for a trip to Myrtle Beach for 4 people.

Pictured (right to left) are Jennifer Doss, Dan River Basin Association, Jeannie Frisco, Activate, Melissa Branscome, winner of the trip to Myrtle Beach, Brad Kinkema, Martinsville-Henry County Family YMCA, Roger Adams, Henry County Parks and Recreation, Diane Sawyer Coalition for Health and Wellness, Deidre Moyer, Coalition for Health and Wellness.

Events sponsors were Activate, Dr. Jones, Orthodontist, Kings Grant, Community Pride, Embarq, BTW, Beaver Hills Golf Course, Green Frog Graphics, Hugo’s, and Ramos Cleaning,

New Trail Opening Soon!

Friends of Philpott, a Rivers & Trails Group partner, is planning a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Jamison Mills Park Trail, on Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 12:00 noon. This is also National Public Lands Day. The trail covers over four miles of loops and turns. In time the trail will connect to Horseshoe Point, Salthouse, and Ryans Branch. This will complete an 11 mile trail on the east side of the lake. A special thank you goes out to trail building volunteers from the Henry County Bike Club, Franklin Free-Wheelers, and the Southern Virginia Mountain Biking Association for their help.

Submitted by: Linda Drage

September First Saturday Outing

September 5, 2009
DRBA's September 5 First Saturday Outing will launch at the new Draper Landing Access beside the NC 700 Bridge in Eden. Coordinated by Wayne Kirkpatrick, the seven-mile float will end just below the Berry Hill Bridge at the North Carolina-Virginia line.

Meet at 10:00 a.m. at the access's graveled parking lot to set the shuttle. Three Rivers Outfitters, 336-627-6215 or http://www.3-r-o.com/, will offer boat rentals and shuttle for the float, which will end on private property with the owner's permission.

In this Class I trip, participants will pass through six batteau navigation structures built in the nineteenth century by the Roanoke Navigation Company and by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Sluice walls concentrate the river's water through shallow ledges, creating a narrow channel deep enough to float the long, narrow batteaux, the commercial "semi-trailers" of early river travel.

Devil's Jump Shoal, midway through the trip, is named for impressive mid-river rocks. Less than a mile downstream from Devil's Jump is the confluence of the Dan with Tanyard Creek, named for the tannery owned by John Morehead, father of North Carolina Governor John Motley Morehead, who grew up nearby.

Other examples of intriguing nineteenth-century labels are Beasley's Gallows Shoal Sluice and the well-preserved Hairston's Fish Trap Sluice, likely modified from an Amerindian fish weir of 1000 years ago.

Other interesting facts about the geology, history, and culture of this section are found in Maps 42 -- 45 of DRBA's new publication, "An Insider's Guide to the Dan River in North Carolina and Virginia," printed on waterproof paper and available at http://www.danriver.org/ .

Participants are asked to provide boat, life jacket, lunch and water, to dress in layers of artificial (quick-drying) fabric and to sign a waiver.

To reach Draper Landing Access from the north or west, take NC 14 to NC 700 East. Travel on NC 700 about 4 miles through Eden to the bridge over the Dan River. After crossing the bridge, go 0.1 mile and turn left into the gravel driveway to the access.

From the south take US 29 North, turning left (west) on NC 700. Just past Quesinberry Road, turn right into the gravel driveway to the access beside the NC 700 Bridge over the Dan.

From the east take US 29 South, turning right (west) on NC 700.

FURTHER INFORMATION: Wayne Kirkpatrick, wynbtyk@embarqmail.com or 276-694-4449.