So last night was “Date Night” on the Chattahoochee River, and the aptly named Chattahoochee Nature Center. Participants have to be at least 21, but I’m not sure why that is. No drinking is allowed, and clothing is required. I guess it keeps frisky 19-year-olds away.
So here we are picking out the canoes. One of our guides said we would only use the Old Town models, as the Mad Rivers seemed to be made of recycled stone.
So with that, and the quick canoeing 101 talk, we were on our way.
That’s ‘our” boat in the foreground, with the other guide about to haul it into the water (stern first), where we would then scramble in and paddle in reverse into the river.
We paddled, the 14 of us, 1 mile downstream, and took a slightly different path for part of the return trip.
The light was incredible, but I took no pics after getting under way. I still have yet to recover my sea legs, and taking my phone out of the red zip-lock bag decorated with holiday decorations, seemed too dicey, particularly in the most photogenic spot. That happened to be where the water depth was 600-700 feet. Other places our hull barely cleared the river bottom, but still, the phone stayed wrapped in candy canes.
Many people on the river, mostly rowing teams with fresh new students being barked at by their coaches in little motorboats running alongside. One kayaker just hanging at the shore, enjoying the river.
Super calm water, save for the wake and noise from the motorboats and coaches. Everyone managed to stay in their boats while on the river. Yay!
I can see returning here, with our own little boat, with a lunch packed.
