Unanticipated Anniversary

This weekend, I’ll be leading my 25th annual fall foliage paddling campout. I wouldn’t have realized that, except an old friend asked me what I was up to lately. When I told her, Sue pointed out the milepost. She had been my assistant leader on the initial trips, but I was still in awe that she recalled the origin date and did the computation to arrive at its significance. I can barely remember my own age.

Actually, it isn’t the 25th because I have skipped a few years. I’ve organized many paddling trips, but there has always been something a little special about these. Sue got us started recalling some of the most memorable aspects.

One year, it rained. Well, more than one year, but this one was different. The weather had been unseasonably warm, so the river was tepid. A light, fine rain began as we launched our canoes. Hitting the warm water, it produced a mist across the surface. Paddling through that was incredibly serene and magical.

As we completed the journey, the precipitation increased significantly. It was pretty much a monsoon by the time we reached the campground and found the owner in the process of locking the gate. No one had showed up that day and he was assuming no one would. He threw me the keys and said we could have the run of the place.

It was nestled between limestone outcroppings with a brook running down the middle. He had built a large picnic shelter with a massive stone fireplace. It made for a wonderful evening.

The first trip we did was also in that area, which is larded with caves. It was a lot of fun stopping along the river and poking into them. The group on that trip was also a lot of fun and we had a great time.

Speaking of fun, one year we paddled the Hocking Hills and planned a Halloween party for that evening at the campsite. While the location was remote, it just so happened another group camped near us, a women’s motorcycle club. I invited them to join us. Now that was a party.

I’ve been looking forward to the trip this weekend, probably the last campout of the year. Good weather, nice location and a great group. And, now that I realize it’s the 25th anniversary, so much the better.