tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25146673004698123442024-03-13T18:52:31.907-04:00Voice of the Rivers 2008Clyde Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04652122899730848332noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2514667300469812344.post-58198922452155973342008-06-14T10:46:00.023-04:002009-05-16T18:26:42.071-04:00June 4. Ken Chamlee. The front half of my kayak lifted completely out of the water and dropped into the wave trough with a loud smack, sending spray in opposite directions. The wave washed to my belly and past, but my cockpit skirt kept the boat from filling. The wind was whipping in our faces, so I gave my hat a tug, lowered my head, and kept digging. This was the crucial point of the day—where Ken Chamleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04539360820326131166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2514667300469812344.post-89432740408907523592008-06-14T10:44:00.003-04:002009-05-16T18:26:18.234-04:00June 3. Scott Brown. This morning, everyone woke in good spirits. We could tell that even the pre-dawn air outside was the same sticky, sulfur-smelling air it had been when we went to sleep. A night inside the air-conditioned space of Trustees Garden had been exactly what the team needed. We breakfasted on leftover barbeque and fresh muffins baked by Ashleigh Davisson, James’s sister. As we Ken Chamleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04539360820326131166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2514667300469812344.post-5118028039494174902008-06-05T11:31:00.004-04:002009-05-16T18:25:51.118-04:00June 2. Elizabeth Thompson. Today was quite an eventful day. This morning, sometime around 1:00 a.m., we were awoken to the lightning from an oncoming storm. We all acted quickly: putting rain flies on our tents, flipping boats, securing gear and assuming the lightning drill position. We all retreated to the trees where we would not be the tallest thing around and then crouched on our sleeping Ken Chamleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04539360820326131166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2514667300469812344.post-64176868754946314542008-06-03T06:51:00.002-04:002009-05-16T18:25:27.002-04:00June 1. Clyde Carter.It’s 4:30 a.m. when I wake by my internal alarm clock. For some reason I always tend to wake at least a half hour before the group. My mind reflects on the past several days while at the same time anticipates what we may encounter today.Just before 5:00, I see one lone light illuminating one of the tents. Soon it is outside moving to the other tents. The light is Jenna’s James Davissonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02414929851833244825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2514667300469812344.post-37063848309747582842008-06-03T06:46:00.004-04:002009-05-16T18:24:53.463-04:00May 31. Merek Slagle. We woke before the sun arose which led to an early morning breeze and productive day of paddling, the river being still calm, peaceful and cool. We started off the morning with a delicious breakfast from the bakery, a variety of muffins and pop-tarts; they were delicious. Thank you, James! This was one of our longest days because we had to travel 26 miles in 93 degree James Davissonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02414929851833244825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2514667300469812344.post-9221130218628103652008-05-31T12:23:00.002-04:002009-05-16T18:24:27.931-04:00May 30. Graham Tolbert. This morning was eerily quiet. The only thing stirring was the constantly flowing Savannah River. The sun began to make an entrance from behind the curtain of clouds after a deep slumber. Every morning, the sun shows a dawn of new beginnings and reveals new and fresh opportunities for all living beings, including man. Our group game this morning was avoided in order James Davissonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02414929851833244825noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2514667300469812344.post-17504893966144921342008-05-31T12:22:00.002-04:002009-05-16T18:24:01.152-04:00May 29. Margaret Ann Medley. Complexity shines through simplicity the farther the current takes us. As dialects ease and soften, our thoughts heighten and grow acute. The humidity suffocates our skin and with each breath a driven stroke is stronger than the cooler day before. Expected expectation of routine behavior becomes monotonous, but the sun surprises us with astounding glow as it hides James Davissonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02414929851833244825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2514667300469812344.post-60444445749752920272008-05-31T12:21:00.002-04:002009-05-16T18:23:37.907-04:00May 28. John Wargo. During the early morning routine of eating breakfast and packing up camp I enjoyed watching the sun rise while listening to the birds. John Greene was student leader and Jenna was our navigator for the day. We had a good 23 mile paddle and it was a hot one. We all made sure that everyone drank water throughout the day. Lunch was at a really cool spot called Shell Bluff. It James Davissonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02414929851833244825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2514667300469812344.post-63361149717177605002008-05-31T12:11:00.003-04:002009-05-16T18:23:13.182-04:00May 27. Carrilea Potter. Some days the time spent paddling is filled with conversation; other times you will find us lost in thought. This morning, though, we spent a lot of time paddling along the river bank just soaking in all that was around us. The river is narrower now and the vegetation is thick along the banks. The accessible beaches to pull off on for break are much scarcer now. The James Davissonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02414929851833244825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2514667300469812344.post-41362160824597876082008-05-31T12:08:00.002-04:002009-05-16T18:22:44.834-04:00May 26. John Greene. Today the voice of the rivers crew set out for Augusta from Fury’s Ferry via the Augusta Canal. We broke camp early on Memorial Day and were on the river in a decent hour. As we paddled closer and closer to Augusta we began to see signs of a suburban civilization that had been somewhat absent for several days. The first real hint that we were getting closer was James Davissonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02414929851833244825noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2514667300469812344.post-55951445784435562742008-05-27T08:54:00.004-04:002009-05-16T18:22:13.931-04:00May 25. Brian Randall. “There ain’t nothing in the world so good when its cooked right- and whilst I eat my supper, we talked and had a good time.” Huck FinnToday we feasted! Sweet rolls in the morning, guacamole dip, delicious sandwiches, watermelon and cupcakes in the afternoon and fried rice with fresh vegetables at dinner. The VOR team is so grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Potter for providing such James Davissonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02414929851833244825noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2514667300469812344.post-41893685020207244842008-05-25T15:56:00.006-04:002009-05-16T18:21:26.919-04:00May 24. Jenna Pace. Light barely showed through the tents this morning at 5:00, as John Wargo, the leader for the day, walked around and woke everybody up. As we stepped out of our tents we could see the moon high up coming through the tall pines. Everyone’s headlights flicked on as we sluggishly packed up our bags, and headed up the hill to the picnic table for a granola breakfast. It was going James Davissonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02414929851833244825noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2514667300469812344.post-47745255324568531042008-05-25T15:55:00.005-04:002009-05-16T18:20:57.457-04:00May 23. Elizabeth Thompson. I am sitting here writing this blog propped up against a tree looking out over yet another beautiful lake lined with thirteen kayaks. Today marks our seventh day and it was another wonderful day on the water. It was hot and muggy, much more so than any other day but a few dips in the water made things better. We began the day on Russell Lake at 8:45 a.m. and paddled James Davissonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02414929851833244825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2514667300469812344.post-21574187184194618942008-05-25T15:54:00.004-04:002009-05-16T18:20:25.154-04:00May 22. Graham Tolbert. “The sun and the water have a way of getting along.” (Brian Randall)Russell Lake. Calm water. 14 miles. Primitive camping on an island. Human development scarce. Nature’s beauty ubiquitous. Acquisition of knowledge/ better understandings. Myriad of ospreys speckle the blue bird skies. Water sliced by 26 pieces of plastic that oppose the fluid uncertainty. Leaves James Davissonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02414929851833244825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2514667300469812344.post-90488899570781081692008-05-25T15:52:00.004-04:002009-05-16T18:19:58.238-04:00May 21. Margaret Ann Medley. Fried granola for breakfast was a delicious balanced mixture of honey, sugar, and oatmeal. There is no doubt that we would need a carb loaded jump-start for a 17-mile day on the lake.After an awesome stretch, led by Elizabeth, Clyde briefed the group on Tuckman’s Model for Group Development. He reminded us that this is often the time during the trip when subgroup James Davissonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02414929851833244825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2514667300469812344.post-91786529081051614012008-05-25T15:48:00.003-04:002009-05-16T18:19:28.490-04:00May 20. John Wargo. After having being worn out for yesterday’s 15 mile paddle, we caught up on rest this morning. Sleeping in to about 7:30 and filling up on a breakfast of pancakes was a good start to what we thought was going to be an easy day. Kelsey, Elizabeth, and Clyde set out early to meet up with Kelsey’s dad and get some food supplies. While we waited for them to return we packed up James Davissonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02414929851833244825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2514667300469812344.post-62356065118545598982008-05-21T14:26:00.003-04:002009-05-16T18:18:51.886-04:00May 19. Merek Slagle. What a beautiful morning, waking up at 6 a.m. to a beautiful overlook of Lake Hartwell. We began bright and early by cooking some cheese grits and oatmeal and packing up camp. At 8:30 we presented to a group of home-schoolers from the Clemson area. Margaret Ann, Elizabeth and myself talked about the history, purpose, and experience of Voice of the Rivers. Clyde got to meetJames Davissonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02414929851833244825noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2514667300469812344.post-59235737439122235262008-05-21T14:08:00.011-04:002009-05-16T18:18:18.712-04:00May 18. Scott Brown. My opinion of what an expedition is changed today. The word I used to associate with perfectly mustached groups of British men in pith helmets or arctic coats, going places no human had gone before, made me wonder if Voice of the Rivers was anything more than a really long trip. The things we saw today made me realize that an expedition is the stories of each day, not the James Davissonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02414929851833244825noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2514667300469812344.post-62265052396899619802008-05-18T15:46:00.011-04:002009-05-16T18:17:48.327-04:00 May 17. Carrilea Potter. The big day is finally here. After a chaotic morning filled with graduation, moving out of dorm rooms, last minute packing and a run to Wendy’s we pulled out of the college only 45 minutes late. We had one 15 passenger van filled completely to the brim with the food and gear, and we all crammed into another van with the boats and paddling equipment. Thanks to Drew James Davissonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02414929851833244825noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2514667300469812344.post-86371148069573001122008-05-14T14:53:00.010-04:002008-06-03T21:58:40.545-04:002008 VOICE OF THE RIVERSWith Appreciation and ThanksWithout the help, enthusiasm, and generosity of others, Voice of the Rivers would not be possible. The entire VOR team expresses its deep gratitude to these people for their contributions in the planning and implementation of our trip.VOR Embroidery: John BrookshireLake Toxaway: David Belcher, John Pippen, Kit Garren, Charles ReynerGorges State James Davissonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02414929851833244825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2514667300469812344.post-30239064305216515052008-05-02T11:15:00.007-04:002009-05-16T18:16:51.856-04:00April 20. John Greene. We broke camp around 9 a.m. on a beach about a mile from where the Toxaway River enters Lake Jocassee. Our plan was to paddle the remaining 12 or so miles across the lake and take out at Devil’s Fork State Park.As the first of many days in which we will be paddling for hours, I could not have asked for a better introduction to sea kayaking. The water was clear and beautifulKen Chamleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04539360820326131166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2514667300469812344.post-30710794950149801862008-05-02T11:03:00.006-04:002009-05-16T18:16:19.473-04:00April 19. Brian Randall. No one could deny the sense of irony as we collected water from the dammed up spring of the headwaters of the Toxaway River Saturday morning.Our adventure had truly begun and we couldn’t help but laugh at the fact that almost all the water we were going to encounter, even from the very start, was dammed.A few of us also got a laugh out of the decorative wooden alligator Ken Chamleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04539360820326131166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2514667300469812344.post-2822602600191980312008-05-02T10:57:00.009-04:002009-05-16T18:15:28.408-04:00April 18. Jenna Pace. Today was the first part of our Voice of the Rivers trip. We met up at Ross Hall (the building which houses Brevard College’s Wilderness Leadership department). Packing the two vans started around 1:00 and took until about 2:30.Scott Brown, John Greene, Carilea Potter, Brian Randall, John Wargo, Kelsey Bracewell (teacher’s assistant), James Davisson, Ken Chamlee (English Ken Chamleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04539360820326131166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2514667300469812344.post-72616278868624676812008-04-21T11:45:00.028-04:002009-03-26T16:55:36.506-04:00Team Member ProfilesLearn more about the VOR team members here.Clyde Carter, Team LeaderPisgah Forest, NCBrevard College faculty since 1989Wilderness Leadership and Outdoor EducationClyde helped develop the Voice of the Rivers program in 1997 and led the second expedition in 1999, a trip down the Green River system through South Carolina to Charleston. He has extensive background in wilderness activity instruction Unknownnoreply@blogger.com