Dan River Sojourn 2011

Good friends, great stories, fantastic history and 22 miles
of the Beautiful Dan River!

Be part of the journey, the inaugural

Dan River Sojourn 2011

Join us for two days of paddling, two nights of camping -- the first of an annual event journeying down the Dan River!

Come for a day, come for a weekend. . . Great food and music each night

 If you can't paddle, sign up to join us on the river for dinner!

May 20 -- 22, 2011

Additional information available online at

www.danriversojourn.com

Don't delay! Do it today!

This 22-mile trip takes you through a Triassic basin where history is written in and on the landscape. From the days of the dinosaurs to Native Americans to our own imprint shown in nineteenth century commercial navigation, you will see and touch it all during this two-day adventure.

Assemble at Lindsay Bridge in Madison, NC by 5:00 pm on Friday, July 16, to unload camping and paddling gear. Shuttle to Settles Bridge and/or Eden is at 6:00 pm. Anticipated return to the Lindsey Bridge campsite is 7:00 pm. Each day's paddle adventure will begin at 9:00 am and conclude by 5:00 pm. Enjoy special programs highlighting the history of the Dan River region and related topics.

Limited to 100 participants, so reserve your spot early!

The Sojourn's trail includes of the nation's best-preserved nineteenth-century batteau navigation systems used to channel commercial traffic into backcountry North Carolina. Click on maps 57 through 47 of the Dan River Guide, Key Map 2 to see the trail. Each map highlights important navigation tips and details of that section of the river along with photos, history, interesting facts and more.

You can also order your own waterproof, travel-size copy of An Insiders Guide to the Dan River Basin in North Carolina and Viginia.

Two Payment Options

* Mail a check along with your completed registration form or
* Pay online (buttons below link to Pay Pal interface-SEE NOTE BELOW!)

NOTE: To make sure we understand WHO the participant(s) is/are, please click on the Message to Merchant option in Pay Pal and include ALL the name(s) of your PARTICPANT/paddlers, since they may be different than the name of the payer on Pay Pal.

Pricing (per person) (If you are paying for more than one person please make sure you adjust the shopping cart quantities.)

$25.00 – Friday: Evening meal and overnight camping only; does not include any meals/activities on next day.

$60.00 – Saturday: Three meals, programs, gear handling, overnight camping, T-shirt & shuttle

$60.00 – Sunday: Two meals, program, gear handling, T-shirt & shuttle

Package deal $130 – Full trip, camping two nights, six meals, programs, gear handling, T-shirt & shuttle

$65.00 paddle through for children 8 - 12 attending with a full fee adult guardian


Guest meals are $10.00 each for breakfast & lunch; $20.00 dinner
(Don't forget to adjust the shopping cart quantities to equal all meals requested)

Breakfast Guest Meal $10.00
Lunch Guest Meal $10.00
Dinner Guest Meal $20.00

Dan River Sojourn 2010 T-shirts featuring the colorful design shown at top of page are provided as part of the Saturday, Sunday and Package deals. Others may buy the T-shirts at the event.

Read the Sojourn 2010 liability waiver.


Call Wayne Kirkpatrick at 276.694.4449 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 276.694.4449 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
or email
danriversojourn@gmail.com
for more information.

Reserve your place on this first-time adventure TODAY!

Paddle Lake Talbott on Saturday

DRBA to Paddle Lake Talbott near Meadows of Dan  

Out-and-back paddle on Lake Talbott near Meadows of Dan, VA Meet at 10:00 a.m. at Poor Farmers Market, 2616 Jeb Stuart Highway, Meadows of Dan, VA. GPS: 36.73541, -80.40978. Dress in layers of synthetic fabric, and bring boat, paddles, life jackets,lunch and water. Free and open to the public.

---

Contact: Charlie Williams

Phone: 336-337-8843

Email: chawilliams59@yahoo.com

Need a boat ?  Contact one of our local outfitters:

http://www.3-r-o.com/

(336)627-6215

http://www.smithriveradventureoutfitters.com/

(276)252-0701

Charlie Poole Festival and Float

(Eden, NC) – The folks who come to the Fifteenth Anniversary Charlie Poole Music Festival, June 11-13, will have a surprise extra treat all ready for them. On Saturday morning they will have the opportunity to enjoy a float down a stretch of the beautiful unspoiled Smith and Dan Rivers, and still not miss any of the festival.
This special outing, beginning at 9 AM Saturday morning with transport from the Fairgrounds, has been arranged through the Dan River Basin Association. The Director, Katherine Mull, gives the following description of the event as planned:

Charlie Poole River Ramble

The Charlie Poole River Ramble, a leisurely two hour float, will be guided by Three Rivers Outfitters. The trip begins on the scenic Smith River, near the historic 1892 Spray Mercantile Building where paddlers will hear the stories of this once-thriving textile town.
Internationally renowned banjo musician Charlie Poole worked here at Spray Cotton Mills. In July 1925 Poole and his North Carolina Ramblers made their first recording with Columbia Records. Their record was a smash hit and sold an unheard of number, more than 100,000 copies.
Also nearby is the historic 1898 Nantucket Mill. Piedmont Folk Legacies and the National Banjo Initiative envision a new life for the mill as a National Banjo Center, museum, recording studio and performance venue.
After putting on the river at Spray Cotton Mills, paddlers will float under Island Ford Bridge near Spray Circle and past the new Island Ford Landing at Eden’s Smith River Greenway. About a mile downstream, after passing under the Kings Highway Bridge, paddlers will come upon a large rock formation on river left known as Bear Slide, a state Natural Heritage Area recognized for rare communities of wild flowers.
Paddlers can expect to see June wildflowers, water fowl and perhaps even Eden’s mascot, a river otter.
Past Bear Slide, where the Smith joins the Dan River, paddlers will turn upstream a short distance to view the impressive remains of the 1852 Leaksville Toll Bridge. After floating down to the nationally famous arched Mebane Bridge, paddlers will take out at the NC Wildlife Access on the Dan River where all will be shuttled back to the Charlie Poole Festival in time for lunch at the fairgrounds.
The Saturday morning expedition includes the boat rental and guide, transport to and from the Fairgrounds, a light breakfast, refreshments on the trip, and a voucher for lunch, all for $50 inclusive of the whole festival, Friday evening through Sunday morning. Space will be limited, so sign up early, on line, or just send your check to P.O. Box 867, Eden, NC 27289.
As usual, admission to the festival only is $15 for Friday evening or the Saturday afternoon and evening competition, or $25 for the whole weekend. Sunday morning activities are to be announced.
Basic camping is available, with bathrooms and showers, at a charge of $10 per night, $20 maximum, and campers will be welcome any time during the week preceding the festival. A group of 6 family and friends can get a weekend pass on line for $100, a substantial saving. Festival tickets and tickets for the River Ramble will be available on line, the latter to be limited in number– first come, first served.
A “Little Ramblers” children’s area, sponsored by Sheetz, will be another new addition. Food and other vendors will be on-site for the festival. Schedules and other information will be posted soon at www.charlie-poole.com. For further information call 336-623-1043.
This project receives support from the Rockingham County Arts Council and the NC Arts Council, an agency of the NC Department of Cultural Resources.

Seeking Volunteer Coordinator

____________________________________________

Do you have a passion for preserving and protecting local rivers, natural areas and cultural landscapes for future generations? The Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) is seeking a dedicated volunteer to fill our Volunteer Coordinator position. This position will allow the right candidate to make a significant difference across the region.

The Volunteer Coordinator will work with DRBA staff to enlist volunteers and coordinate the activities of other community volunteers across the Dan River region in NC and Virginia. While this is a volunteer position, DRBA is offering a monthly stipend to help compensate for the volunteer’s mileage, cell phone use, and meal expenses. The Volunteer Coordinator will have access to office space, including a computer and internet. This highly visible position is ideal for someone who enjoys working as part of a team and who seeks to establish a track record, build a network, and make a measurable difference for the Dan River region.

 Specific duties include working with the DRBA team to:

 Coordinate recruitment, screening and training of DRBA volunteers;

Provide encouragement, feedback and support to volunteers;

Track volunteer hours and periodically evaluate volunteer performance;

Conduct regularly scheduled meetings with volunteers to foster teamwork;

Schedule volunteers for activities such as festivals, stream monitoring, children’s environmental education programs, and more;

Help coordinate and otherwise assist in media relations, including press releases.

Qualifications include:

Enjoy working with and motivating people of all ages

Interest in DRBA’s work in recreation, education and stewardship

Demonstrated leadership skills, enthusiasm and ability to inspire others;

Positive attitude and successful experience in working with people of all demographic groups;

Demonstrated team player, with commitment to the mission and values of the Dan River Basin Association;

Experience in Microsoft Office, Excel, internet and e-mail;

Valid driver’s license, ability to travel and volunteer during evenings and weekends as needed.

To Apply

Please e-mail letter of interest, three references and resume to drba.nc@danriver.org.

DRBA's Recreational Gear Swap

April  10, 2010
DRBA's Recreational Gear Swap
Need some more room in your garage for more gear ? Got extra room for gear and you need to fill it up ? Then come on out this Saturday, April 10th to the Dan River Basin Associations 2nd annual gear swap and get prepped for the season.  This years event will be held at  from 10 am...till the gear is gone, at the Indian Heritage RV Park & Campground (Tensbury Drive. Martinsville) This is the location of the South Martinsville canoe access on the Smith River just below Martinsville Dam.  Bring your outdoor gear,canoes, kayaks, bicycles, camping gear, fishing supplies, and more! Buy, sell , trade.   Admission is free. The Gear Swap is a great way to pick up used gear for a bargain or sell gear you are ready to part with. Meet other paddlers, cyclists, and outdoor enthusiasts. Come meet new friends, trade stories, and get a good deal on used equipment at DRBA’s Gear Swap! For more information contact the Dan River Basin Association at 276-634-2592 or bwilliams@danriver.org

Dick and Wille Passage Groundbreaking

Come out and celebrate with the Henry County Administration staff, DRBA representatives and Congressman Rick Boucher for groundbreaking on Martinsville / Henry County's latest trail,
the "Dick and Willie Passage."

The event will occur Wednesday, March 31, at 2 p.m. near the former Martinsville-Henry County Rescue Squad building on Hooker Street in the City of Martinsville. We will park there and take a short walk onto the trail.  Congressman Rick Boucher will be the keynote speaker.

Friends Begin Clean-up of Fieldale Trail

The “Friends of the Fieldale Trail” took to the trail on Sunday March 7, 2010 to begin the clean-up work of removing debris and repairing damage from the December flood events.
The Fieldale Trail sustained some damage due to high water which caused  mud deposition in low lying areas, debris accumulation and some split rail fence just plain disappearing downstream!

The heavy snowfall of the last two months has kept the trail blanketed and wet so repair work had to be postponed.  The high water brought all manner of debris to the trial from sticks, lumber, plastic and assorted trash and lots of mud.

The recent warming trend has melted the snow and allowed the mud deposited by the floods to dry out a bit and so the trail can now be accessed for some initial clean-up work.  Saturday and Sunday saw large crowds of people out on the trail, desperate for some outdoor activity after all this cold weather which has created an almost permanent state of cabin fever in our region.  Walkers, bikers, and fisherman were out in force on this Henry County favorite all weekend.

The Friends of the Fieldale Trail Group (FFT ) had an impromptu Sunday clean-up and ended up removing a truck load of trash, approx. 12 bags and numerous other articles from the trail and along the river bank. They removed limbs and sticks; and gathered some fencing into piles. A big thank you to Tracy Kennett for gathering most of the fencing that had been strewn along the trail.  They also reinstalled fencing along parts of the trail.

The group worked on the blue bird houses to prepping them for the blue birds which will start nesting late March to early April.  While on the trail, the group got a chance to engage in other hikers out enjoying the day and had some nice comments from people thanking them for all  they do to help maintain the trail.
They also had several people provide them with phone numbers to call for volunteers when they have the next work day

 Front row, left to right - Nancy Kennett and Molly the lab
Back row from left to right: Tracy Kennett, Tommy Wyatt, Cecil Holt, Joan Ragland, Frances Holt, Paula Wyatt

A big huge thank you to all Adopt-a-Trail Volunteers and special thank you to the
Friends of the Fieldale Trail, you guys rock !