The James River

I've never sailed or even been in the James River. But the river was somewhat of a motif in my youth from birth. (I was born in Lynchburg which is on the James River.) 

A TSBBer works around the James River and commented about it. I wrote a follow-up post to his and thought I'd preserve it here. 

It goes as follows:

Quote from: RichardS on Mar 05, 2024, 05:10 PM Our neighborhood does it annually on Jan 1 jumping in the James River.

The James River - I grew up in Richmond near McGuire Veterans Hospital, less than three miles from the river as the crow flies. (Although a few miles upstream from Richard). Obviously crossed it many times: Lee Bridge, Nickle (Boulevard) Bridge, Hull St (14th St) Bridge, I-95 bridge. Later the Powhite Bridge, the I-295 bridge, and the 288 bridge. As a child we crossed the river at Wingina on Rt 56 when we drove "to the country " to see our grandparents on their farms in Nelson County. The one lane Wingina bridge was damaged beyond repair* from the deadly flooding due to the torrential rains (several feet in a few hours) of hurricane Camille in 1969. That led to a new two lane bridge being built. We crossed the James River twice a day during my junior year of high school going to and from school. In the fall of 1972 one of my HS football buddies lost his father to drowning in the river when he attempted to cross to an island for work when the river was in flood from hurricane Agnes. I think the whole football team went to the funeral. When I was a college student at Liberty University (Lynchburg Baptist College at that time) I literally lived on an island called Treasure Island in the middle of the James River for 4 years. My first year there I served in a church in Buena Vista every weekend. We crossed the James 4 times every week on Rt 501 just up from Big Island where the James River cuts through the Blue Ridge Mountains and into the Shenandoah Valley. In February of 1976 during my junior year, two of the dearest young people you'd ever want to meet, McCauley Rivera and his girlfriend Sharon Moore, lost their lives on the James River, just up river but within sight of the island where I lived, when they carelessly ventured out onto a train trestle that crossed it and got caught by a train. So sad.

Yep, been around the James a bunch. I've jumped in some cold water, but I've never jumped in it in the winter time. Good on you.

(pic of Treasure Island as it was in the days I lived there. Thomas Road Baptist Church held youth camps there in the summer; hence, the name Treasure Island. I lived in the "dorm" that was next to the open field in the group of buildings in the foreground of the pic. They sometimes had trouble getting the old bridge insured. At such times, students had to off load the shuttle busses and walk across - rain or shine - those were the days!)

*Edit: Oh! What do ya know? I found the pics I took of the bridges at Wingina. I guess they must have repaired the old bridge and made it passable until they could build a new one. Maybe it was only closed until an inspection could be performed? Not sure. I was 13 and I know that I wasn't allowed to go on the first several trips up to Nelson Co. after the flood. After a search, I can't seem to find out when the new bridge was built. Now that I think about it, I believe I drove up to the country with my younger brother and stopped and took these pictures which means I would have been at least 16 (3 years after the flood).

BTW: It was pretty cool growing up by the river that was named after my daddy. (LOL - just "kidding")

Note: RichardS and his neighbors jump into the river on January 1 every year as a fundraiser for Special Olympics.

Ballast

Short outing this afternoon (Monday 2/26). Low 70’s, wind 8-12 but erratic. I did have some good puffs. I sailed with one reef in. The one notable thing to report: after my last outing when I almost capsized, I decided to carry some ballast. I stuffed 3 small duffle bags with 2 partial bags of play sand that I had along with a partial bag of small river rock. I estimate that total weight was 80-100 lbs. The boat seemed a good bit more stable with the ballast. I was able to sit more comfortably on the seats as well. I liked the effects. I’ve collected maybe a hundred lbs of lead that I planned to melt into bars for ballast. Might be a little more motivated to get to that task now.

Edit: Clint Chase commented on my CIY FB post that lead is not your friend in a capsize. He recommended water ballast bags. Probably a good tip. They're a little pricey, but if I'm going to do any serious cruising would probably be worth the investment.

70 Degrees Mid-February

When it's 70 degrees in the middle of February, what's a man to do? What else? You dust off your boat and take her out.

From time to time I like to go up to Ocoee Lake and camp in the Cherokee National Forest. Thursday was the perfect opportunity: near 70 for a high for 2 days, overnight low near 40, 0% chance of rain and a clear calendar.

It's a bit of a chore when you've got to collect all your camping gear, pack clothes, and plan a few meals. It takes a couple hours or so to get all that together (and then you know you've got to do it in reverse when you return). But there's just something about being out in nature.

If you recall my previous versions of this trip, this one will be pretty much the same with only a few particulars different. The biggest differences are my boat and I'm 4 years older than my last camping trip.

Well, I got it all together including removing my sailing rig. This trip only requires a 3/4 mile row across the lake and I wasn't going to take a lot of extra time there. A little rowing would do me. I finally launched and it was a beautiful day.

Looking back toward the ramps (there are two side by side). My camping spot is directly across from the ramp.

Here's a view up the lake. You might be able to make out two bridges. Just beyond those the lake becomes just the river.

Here's a happy soul.

I made it across and tied the boat at the "beach".

I unloaded all my gear and pitched my 30 year old, three man tent in the middle of what was probably a logging road.

I was eager to try out my new Big Agnes Q-core sleeping pad (a birthday present) and new inflatable pillow. I must say they were both nice additions to my gear.

Once the tent was pitched, I went about cutting up some firewood from a downed tree that was nearby. This is a popular spot and there is a well-used fire ring there. I have to admit that I take the cheaters way out when it comes to fire-building: I take a 16 oz bottle of kerosene with me and some newspaper to help with the task. You still have to be diligent to start with smaller wood and work your way up. Fortunately, even after some very heavy rain this week, the fire started; and after a while it was really nice with a hot bed of coals and the bigger stock burning.

Supper time. My wife sent some left over homemade chicken pot pie. I put some water on the stove and let the steam warm it up a bit (like a chafing dish). You might notice another stove in the lower left. I've been using that stove for probably 30+ years. I had a supply of fuel which, due to my infrequent camping trips, has lasted a loooong time. I knew eventually it would run out and it did. I had a new Optimus stove waiting in the wings. The pot pie went down nice and I finished supper off with a brownie and some hot apple cider. I had to eat the pot pie with my multi-tool pliers. I left my eating utensils in my vehicle. Dumb me!

My last trip I took along a Small Craft Advisor magazine for reading. This trip I took a long a book that one of my church members gave me. Easy reading. I got through about half of it by bedtime.

I turned in at 11:00 and stayed in the sleeping bag til 8:00. I took my warmer weather bag which was a mistake. Should have taken the mummy bag. I was cold much of the night inspite of having on several layers. I guess it's my age and maybe the cold, but I ached all over by morning.

I had a breakfast of hot chocolate and oatmeal. Made the oatmeal a little soupy so that I could drink it since I didn't have a spoon.

Amazing the mess you can make.

I took my walk up into the hollow and down by the stream that feeds the cove I camp at. Just love the sound of a mountain creek flowing over the rocks.

Once back from my hike, I packed it all up and rowed back across the lake for take out.

The ramp is pretty shallow. I recently bought a pair of covers that slip over your shoes. They cover your calves almost up to the knee. I typically have to get my feet a little wet when retrieving so I thought these would be good to have especially if out in cold weather. As you can see, my right foot got in a little too far. Still not too bad.

After two slices of cold, leftover pizza, a free Big Gulp that the clerk said I could have since the register was down, and an hour ride home I unpacked my gear and put Disciple Ship to bed.

I have to admit that I'm quite sore from the trip. Again, I guess the age is catching up to me. Still had a good time.

Thanksgiving Week Sail

WHOA, NELLIE!

Well, what do ya know? I actually got to sail two times this month.

Monday was in the 60's with significant wind being brought by that front that is crossing the country right now. Time to get the CIY out and put her (really me) to the test. I'd say winds were a steady 8-10 with gusts maybe 15 and a few white caps every now and then. Stiffer than anything I'd been out in to date.

I decided to set up the main with a reef in. Not many people on the lake yesterday and I really didn't want to take a swim. Launching was easy enough. With an offshore wind I let the wind carry the boat out a bit while I held a line and then pulled it into the dock. I parked my vehicle, returned to the boat, dropped the daggerboard in, set the rudder, untied the dockline and I was off, drifting away from the dock.

Once away from the dock, I sheeted in the mizzen and raised the main. I've always heard the mizzen is good for keeping your boat head-to-wind. It did do that, but the boat still wanted to "swing" somewhat causing the boom to keep crossing the center-line, back and forth. Duck, duck, duck.

I got the main up, main sheet situated and I was sailing. The wind was reasonably steady with the occasional gust. Here's a pic of the flag at a marina which is directly across the lake from the ramp. I crossed the lake several times and the flag looked like this the whole time.

Tacking was not smooth. Got to work on that. I usually had to push the boom back to windward to complete the tack.

There were times the wind seemed to swirl and shift directions. I was trying to track the wind at one point, the sail was luffing and suddenly it filled and the boat started to go over! Whoa, Nellie! The rail dipped below the water. Water started pouring into the boat. I believe I audibly begged, "Please don't go over!!" I let go of everything, dropped into the bottom of the boat and threw my weight back. She came back up. Whew! that was close!

Here's a pic of water in the bottom of the boat. I actually had bailed some of it before taking the pic.

I decided I didn't want to chance going over again, so I doused the sails and even took down the mizzen mast. Unfortunately, I was going to have to row into that stiff wind which at times was off the port bow. When it went off the bow, the windage made it difficult to row straight. Soon I realized that even the mast was creating considerable windage, so I took it down. Fortunately, I only had a half mile to row. I guess it took a half an hour.

The wind was such that I missed my landing on the first attempt. I usually turn and row facing forward when I approach the ramp. While I was turning around, the wind blew me down the shoreline. I had to turn around and row normally almost to the ramp to make my landing.

All ended well.

Here are two pics of my first attempt at reefing. A little sloppy. For one thing, I forgot to lace the clew to the boom. The sail shape seem good though while underway.

A fisherman was taking out the same time I was. He commented on my boat name and we struck up a good conversation. Turns out he attends a church not far from mine and he's getting ready to play Gabriel in their Christmas play.

After packing up the boat, I did a quick change of clothes in the park restroom and made a quick visit to a funeral home just a few minutes from the ramp to visit one of our members whose daughter-in-law passed. Knocked out some business and pleasure in the same trip.

Turning cooler now. We'll see how long it takes to get my next outing.

PS: I did check the recorded wind at the airport for yesterday. Here's the graph. Looks like my estimate was spot on.

Goose Pond Colony Resort

I had said I was going to do the TN River gorge this fall. Didn't happen. A couple of reasons: schedule, wife not up to overnighting on the boat (I really wanted to include her in on whatever trip I took). So... I began to look into an option of sailing for a couple days and sleeping ashore. I found Goose Pond Colony Resort on Guntersville Lake and it looked promising. It's only 80 miles from my house, one night in their lodge wasn't too terribly expensive and the forecast was SUPERB! Last but not least, the captain was game. So the trip was on.

I had planned to sail both days, but it took too long to prep on Monday morning. The boat hadn't been out in a year, so a quick bath with the pressure washer, getting gear together, etc, etc. I didn't fret. Like a good sailor I didn't let my schedule get in the way of a good time. We didn't get away til 1:00. We stopped for a quick lunch and just settled in for relaxation.

We arrived at the resort around 2:00 CST. Sunset was at 4:45 so we just checked in, got to our room, took a walk, sat on the veranda and enjoyed the view and the sunset.

We were tired, the beds were comfortable, and we slept well. Awoke to a gorgeous morning.

                         

There are 3 places to eat on the property. The only one open was the grill at the golf proshop. We drove over there and had a very simple but nice breakfast, returned to our room, packed up and headed for the ramp around 10:30.

Set up and launch went smoothly. One purpose of this trip was to try out my new Honda 2.3. I bought it back in the summer but had yet to get out with it. The manual says to run it at half throttle for 10 hours to break it in. The motor is a bit undersized for my boat, so I was very curious to see how it would do. We discussed this on the forum earlier so I felt I would be ok. Dave used to equip his Sage 15's with this motor. I was not disappointed. The motor did fine. I warmed it up while rigging. It runs better at the slowest setting a little warm. I learned that running it in my yard. It's air cooled so I can do that easily. One of the reasons I bought this particular motor. With a warm motor I was assured of having a "neutral" when in the water (it has a centrifugal clutch).

It was a mile plus out to the main channel. I've never seen so many shallows as I saw yesterday. Grass fields everywhere! I made sure I stayed in the main channel all day.

                         

The wind was out of the SW so I figured I would motor south for a while and sail back. The plan went pretty well.

Motoring into the sun:

                          

                          

Sailing back up river:

                                    

  

Had this little treat: 4 eagles flying around. Got this shot of two of them.

                         

From my chart and maps, I think we did 20 miles in about 4-1/2 hours. A bit surprised at our speed but happy. Here's a pic from googlemaps that shows the distance by road. Gives you an idea. 

                          

Docking with the new motor went perfectly.

                         

Take out went fairly well. It took several attempts to get the boat on the trailer correctly. I took shorts and water shoes expecting that I'd be getting a little wet retrieving. I was right. But finally got it. We got the boat packed up and readied just as the lights were coming on in the parking lot and the very last faint rays of the sun were dissappearing. Stopped for a chicken sandwich and drove leisurely home at a pace of 60 mph.

                          

I am happy to report that this trip was without "incident"! No "stories" to add to my many.