Brief Bit of Gauley

Car entertainment

"This is the summer that wasn't." - Ron Samlin over Fourth of July. We were talking about how cold memorial day was and how the temps seemed so mild compared to last year. Ron made this statement and it stuck with me. Come labor day, all the rivers were roaring with water, so rare for the end of the summer where we were lucky if we got in the two foot range on the Yough. And then we approached the third week in September, Gauley fest. Last year we spent five days getting to and from there. David and I paddled and enjoyed the cool mornings and warm days. Gauley, where the water is usually controlled by release from the dam. This week, though, the engineers were dumping what seemed like everything they got. This, along with rain spells caused the rivers, once again to be high and mighty. I had a thought earlier in the week before we left that if it was to be raining, Abi and I would stay home and David could go down without us. But, the report was fine on monday, 70s and sunny. By wednesday, it was to be scattered storms but a low percentage. So, we packed up and headed west and south. We were going to ease into the trip, driving enough hours to get to Abi's naptime and stopping for the day. We checked into a Hampton and the only plans for the rest of the day was swimming in the pool and finding dinner. The next morning we woke to gray skies and drove through intermittent rain. The gloom started to settle on me. What would I do with Abi if it rained all day? We got to Summersville and started making plans with the other kayakers. I scowled at the rain drops hitting the puddles in the gas station lot while we waited for our diner lunch. I knew there was a new bouncy house that just opened but that wouldn't sustain Abi for two days if the rain kept up. After dropping David off to decide his paddling fate with the others, Abi and I went back to the shack for a nap. When she woke up she was more interested in playing with her toys inside, lining up her mickey mouse clubhouse figurines throughout the shack. I noticed that the sky was mostly blue through the slit in the curtains so I had hope that it wouldn't rain the rest of the day.

After a while, I asked if Abi wanted to go to the playground and she did. So, we walked over to the playground within our Battlerun Campground. Last year there was a boy who came out of a nearby tent to play but this year there were no kids in sight. She played for a little while but mostly wanted me to push her in the lazy swing for thirty minutes (those new, fat, plastic swings where kids just sit without doing anything to make it swing. David calls it the parka lounger swing. Google: Special Needs Swings.)

Luckily, all this lounging and lazy swinging passed the time enough to get us to dinner time. Now that Abi likes and has the teeth for pizza, I wanted to try the pizza and ice cream order-at-the-window place down the road. Close to camp made it appealing. We sat and did play-doh for thirty minutes and then ate some pizza before hearing David was off the river. We headed back to the Abi shack and laid inside watching videos on my phone until they drove up. I wanted to build a fire and the car needed gas so David and Abi set off to take a shower while I headed off in search of wood. Unlike the state grounds we are used to, firewood is not easily found in Summersville, but finally another campground was selling wood. So I happily bought two bundles imagining the flames going as big as the metal fire circle would allow. Another annoying thing about this part of the world was that they trust you to pump you gas and pay for it later. Not used to the old days of no credit card swipers I went and stood in line to give them my card only to be told to pump first and then come back. Only a place that sells cold pop would be so 1999 (hehe that's my snarky northeasterner coming out).

Sully is watching us

david driving, abi photgraphing

David texted that there was no hot water in the men's side so when I returned we decided no shower for Abi. He also asked if I got kindling for the wood. Nerp! So, we had starter stuff (lint, cardboard) and two bundles of half wet logs but no kindling. This was shaping up to mirror the great fire starting fail of 2009 (that's a story for another time). So, David put Abi to sleep while I stubbornly tried to rip off pieces of wood from the drier wood to have kindling and tried starting the fire a few times but gave up and took a cold shower (no hot water on the women's side either). He gave the fire a go and a log caught once in a while but it was mostly a loss. We ended up watching Dexter on the DVD player in the dark. A white animal hulked down to the river's edge in the semi-dark and at first glance it looked like those little white dogs with the big fluffy tails. The moon was rising giving light along with the intermittent camp lights along the driveways. Later, david saw it up close as it was sniffing around the Abi shack and it turns out it was an almost all-white skunk.

Abi's Angry face - car selfie

In the morning I emerged from the Abi shack to news that the rain would start at 10 am and go all day. With a check of the river gauge it was decided that we would just try to go back home. So, after arriving a little more than 24 hours before, we packed up and hauled north and east. The rain started shortly after 9 and we stayed mostly ahead of the tumult that was heading northeast as well. We stopped at a burger king in northern west virginia to let abi run a bit in the indoor play structure and then at a walmart in maryland for her nap. David popped the shack up and Abi and I napped in the parking lot while it rained and the wind blew against the walls. And then we started the home stretch. I sat in the back and got plenty car sick trying to keep Abi happy. She watched Monsters Inc at least four times in the two day span of traveling we did.

We made it home by bedtime on saturday night. Gave Abi a bath (she was done with it after I washed her) and told her stories while she laid on her belly with her bear tucked under her arm. It was a disappointing trip but maybe we'll have better luck next year.

And that's how you write a post about a whole lotta nothing

Labor day 2013 Yough Trip

Reading back on last year's yough trip, I can see the evidence that it's easier this year. Last year we still put up the black sheet to coax Abi to sleep as we drove through the night to get to the campsite, but still took 7+hours. We couldn't drive very long before having to stop at a sit down place for dinner. Now, at 2.5, abi no longer sleeps in the car, hope as we might. But, she does eat a wider variety of crap food like pizza from Sheetz and McDs so we can keep driving and make better time. We set out at 3:00 and arrived around 9:00 - a mere six hours and in time for it to be fully dark. She got to see the stars for the first time and be able to acknowledge them. She walked over and said, "Look at the stars! aww boodiful."

This is all you get in Ohiopyle. BBQ and meat, meat, meat.

Heavy rain hit the region before we arrived and all the waterways were full to bursting. The yough was three times bigger than what we usually run. This allowed the creeks and smaller rivers to open up. David took the opportunity to run the Stonycreek at a higher level and to run the Lower Big Sandy which he hasn't run since we were married. Meanwhile, still in my vacation mindset from a prior week off from work, I poked and maintained the campfire for the majority of one day. My hair still smells like campfire. our clothes needed two runs through the wash to get it out.

Another day, I went to the closest large town 30 minutes away and the day was over before i knew it. I had no interest in gearing up and riding waves. My ankle was still sore from a twist so i wasn't interested in the what if river scenarios with a tender foot. This really made for a great weekend though. i loved not having to stick to a real plan except to pick abi up from the rural daycare David found. This gave us the option to paddle together if we wanted and gave Abi the ability to have toys and AC all day. Campers made plans of what they'd be doing while i walked between the wood pile and the fire all day, skirt pulled up from my ankles through the dewy grass. Janet made a comment that i truly was a fire bug to be hanging around the fire in the humid summer heat. I hadn't even noticed it until she mentioned it but then i noticed i had a nice sheen of sweat. Yet, i wanted that fire to be bigger and wider. We had it roaring at one point with all the brush that had been cleared out.

I guess i should stop talking about fire. it was really fun though to have that time to myself to delegate. i took a break from keeping the fire to see about a cake down in Ohiopyle. having done the thirty minute trip already that trip i was not interested in doing it again unless we had to.

people are always asking where we go to camp and never seem to know what i'm talking about even though i've been going there for eight years now and saying the same things:

Abi has to get a gumball every time we are in the Falls Market

them: where you going?
Me:to the yough
them:Where's that?
Me:Ohiopyle state park
them:Where's that?
Me:near somerset
them: (blank look)
Me: five hours away. 

I realize now that it seems silly to expect people to know where this is but i figured everyone had at least heard of somerset since Flight 93 went down there. or i at least figure they'd google it after the first time we have the conversation. I've decided that  from now on i'll just say the "pittsburgh poconos" for those who are from around the philly area.

Quaint Ohiopyle - not near ohio as much as 20 minutes from west virginia - in the Laurel Highlands. Once off the turnpike the 45 minute drive down two lane country roads is pleasant if you aren't stuck behind a slow driver. There are rolling hills and country homes.There is plenty of outdoorsy things to do - bike, raft, kayak, as the sign suggests. There are campgrounds, motels, inns, b&bs in and around town. The area has been using grant money from the state and have really been building it up into a cutesy family friendly place. They've added more parking, a playground, putt putt, a new overlook of the falls, and just an overall face-lift. The town is crawling with people on weekends. I never knew until i spent days not kayaking. So, everyone should come and support their local economy.

One of the fun parts of camping at the ranch is the communal food. Everyone brings something to share. This time, there was a vast saturday cookout with baby back ribs, chicken,chili, and salmon. Then, there was dishes like pasta and quinoa and bean chili for the vegetarians. People drove up and the ranch was filled to the brim with subaru and honda and SUV of all kinds all decked with boats of all colors. Abi hung as long as she wanted and then asked to go to sleep. It's quite amazing for a child to ask to go to sleep in the summer when there's so much going on. Perhaps she's an introvert and needs to recharge on her own. This may be evident in that she wanted to hang out by our camper while everyone else was hanging out by the fire ring. She wanted to play the game where one of us pretends to fall asleep and the other scares them awake.

Abi plays ball with Polo

While everyone else was at the fire, Abi wanted to sit "right here"

That night we all ate till we were extremely full in belly and soul. The best worst joke of the night was exuberantly and drunkenly proclaimed by our friend Charlie:

"A man walks into a bar... no a McDonald's...whatever you like. He says, 'i'll have a rum....................and coke.' the bartender says,'whats with the long pause?' and he says, 'I've always had them.'



oh by the way, it was a bear."

This will probably be my non-sequitor from now on.

Shots shot

Fourth of July Weekend at the Ranch

There is much repetition on the kayak weekends that I don't feel need to be repeated here. The usual naps in the RV, hanging around the fire at night, grabbing ice cream, filling empty space with quick trips to the playground, and of course running the river. This weekend we took Abi to the waterpark first me on Friday while David paddled and then David on Saturday while I rafted. At the waterpark, she got to try her first bouncy house. The first jump she face planted onto the rubber. I looked in expecting tears but she came up smiling and tried again, only to face plant again. This went on for a while as she slipped and slid all over the bouncy house (they could go in after being in the pool so it was wet).I also took her to a local animal park where she could feed monkeys, bears, zebras and birds.  She also enjoyed the gift shop where there were many stuffed animals. We did lots of play dough (pluto is how she says it) and coloring. Lots of reminders for her to whisper as we were always the first ones up besides the rooster. There was much shenanigans at night with hula hooping, telling stories, being silly, getting snapped by the iphone in Lori's hand, lowered just so you don't realize it's there. When Abi woke at 1:15 am, from a dream perhaps, Renee's cackle and the low up and down of conversation could be heard as I snuck out to pee. There was fire hooping, booty popping, beers, and the stars that came after the clouds cleared out. And laughter. There is always laughter. "I love us," Renee gleefully said as we all performed in some way or another for each other. There was a massive dinner made on saturday night - the traditional fajitas- along with pasta and ropa vieja and the motley crew of beer that is brought.

There are things, though, that happen each visit that are special or specific to those times. These are what are best to read about, as they change and won't be the same. Like they say, you never step in the same river twice.

On Thursday, the fourth of July, we hit the road early to reach the ranch in time for Abi's nap. We were zooming there so that I could join in on the Independence Day girl paddle with the gauntlet thrown to do naked cucumber. The week leading up to the holiday the weather was warm and humid. There had been rain for days and days so the ground was saturated and the river was high. This always allows certain features to show up or disappear so it's fun to take a trip downstream to feel the ride. We girls were led by Renee and we practiced our listening and direction-following skills as we paddled around. We pulled into the first eddy and in front of a middle-aged couple we stripped to just our life vests and bottoms. We ran Cucumber Rapid and smiled for the camera with our bare arms and shoulders. Nothing is seen by the camera but we know what's there. We had a great run on the river and all stayed in the raft and paddled like the strong women we are, even the eight year old.

Not to sound trite or cliche but there are great things in life and terrible things in life. And sometimes they are shown at the same time. On Saturday, as we were getting ready to put on the river the long single note of the firehouse alarm went off and soon the ambulance went by. We went on our way down the river, laughing and hitting the waves.  At the lunch spot we noticed guys in helmets, vests, and spray skirts climbing around the shore and swimming under rocks as much as they could. We watched them and heard bits and pieces of things that there was one death and one missing person from a commercial rafting trip. We heard things like foot entrapment and dimple rapid with the undercut rock. These search and rescue guys continued to search the shore the remaining time we were on the river, always nearby.

We also noticed the woman in the white "bride" T-shirt and tiny veil. How cute, I thought, a river run like David and I did before our wedding. We shortly headed back into our raft and floated downstream. There is a high rock that many of the rafters climb up and jump into the water after lunch. As we floated we noticed the bride was up there with a man in a tuxedo T-shirt. We slowed the raft down to see them jump. But, before they did, they joined hands, faced each other, and were married by an officiant in a life vest and shorts. We listened while the officiant described life and marriage like a river. And the finale was, of course, taking the figurative and literal plunge. They counted one, two, three and the husband jumped. The wife, though, was scared and it took her bridesmaid to run and push her in. We all sat in silence as this all went on getting misty at this small act but it was beautiful. It was very true that while one life ends (the potential death we heard about) another kind begins (the marriage of two rafters).

Further down the river, the clouds began to build and there were large pockets of blue sky and then dark clouds. As we floated between rapids rain drops would fall in the sunlight, making it surreal that it was sunny but raining globs of water. Occasionally the warm summer air would blow and it felt so peaceful. This seemed like a message that life is amazing in many different forms. It can be raw and awful but mostly beautiful if you look for it. There was a solemn vibe though for the loss as we paddled, knowing how easily things change.

Memorial Day Yough 2013

Layers and fleece for the end of May

In response to last weekends high temps, the weather decided to give everyone the finger and drop to the 40s and 50s. Last year, Abi was sneezing and sweating through the heat and this year we had to go on long drives in search of winter hats amid the swimming and summer gear.

We left for the memorial day Yough trip on Friday morning and arrived in time for Abi's nap. This seems to be the best plan and works out for leaving and returning. Any thoughts of a paddle were dashed as we watched the numbers drop the closer we came to Ohiopyle. Leaving Philly at 64 degrees and arriving at 49 kept us at the ranch. I took a nap with Abi every day that we were at the ranch. So, on Friday I got in and slept until she woke up. We drove to Walmart 40 minutes away since it was an "indoor activity" and we got dinner out. We came back and more people began arriving. Abi cried through her bath because she wanted to stay outside playing with everyone. The next two nights we made sure to say that she could come back out and play once she got clean.

On Saturday everyone himed and hawed at the weather and whether they would paddle or not. I decided I wouldn't and so did David. We got breakfast down at Falls Market like usual and spent the morning hanging around. We headed back to the ranch for lunch and a nap. When Abi woke up David got her and I went back to sleep. I woke at 5 pm when he came to exclaim, "You're still asleep!?" It was a glorious nap and such a treat. He in the meantime had gone down to the playground with Abi and Craig for a while. Abi loves Craig and was calling "Craig-yyyyy" the rest of the weekend. She wraps us all around her little finger so easily.

That night we had fajitas from the grill and a choice of two birthday cakes. And the best part - the FIRE! We started modestly until I wanted to have the entire fire ring glowing. The men set off and came back with huge tracks of wood from a fallen structure and soon the fire was roaring and we were all backing our chairs up. There was much laughter and warmth that night.

Playing in the grass

The Brumbelows and Abi's first love- Craig

Looking for more stones to throw

Watching the dogs run after sticks

On Sunday, David decided to paddle but everyone didn't get moving until the crack of noon. So we went to Falls Market for breakfast and the playground. David left Abi and I around 11:30. She had a big lunch and we took a nap at her usual time. When she woke up we went downtown to see what was going on there. The playground was full of kids - all the swings were taken and every playset was crawling. Abi seemed cranky since her nap and wanted to be able to swing when she wanted to. The dynamic of other people's kids and older kids seem to get her going so we ended up walking down to the river. She enjoyed throwing pebbles in and also watching leaves as they were pulled downstream by the current. There were a couple of chocolate labs that were dashing into the water after sticks that she seemed to like. At one point I was sitting on a rock and I turned back expecting her to be looking for rocks. Instead she was climbing the big rocks up the hill back to the car. She wanted to go home. And by home she meant home home. I got her in the seat and when I pulled into the ranch she started crying. "No camping! home!" she cried just like last weekend. But I pulled her out of her seat and played until dinner. Then we played after dinner until bath. Then we played in the bath and then after bath until David finally returned from the river.

That night we continued to burn large amounts of wood, laugh a lot and go to bed content.
We drove home monday morning and arrived in time for Abi's nap. She always seems to have fun except for the fits of wanting to go home. I think she misses her comforts like Mickey on the TV and her toys. But, she loves playing outside too and we always find ways to entertain ourselves. 

Looking out of the Abi Shack

StonyCreek Rendezvous 2013

The weekend of May 18 we headed to Johnstown, Pa, to run the Stonycreek and check out the festival. We three, plus our friend Desiree, headed out on Thursday afternoon to spend the night at the River Rat Ranch in Ohiopyle. The Abi Shack was set up there after Cheat Fest in early May. We drove and stopped for dinner so Abi could run out a little energy. By the time we got to the Ranch it was dark and in the nine pm hour so we quickly set things up, david searched for the electric cord, and I read to Abi after making the beds to get her ready for sleep.

The next morning Abi woke at 7:30, much later than usual, and we were greeted by Lady, the neighbors dog. She would bark and advance and then run away and then advance a little closer and then run away the second you reached your hand out to pet her. Until she finally gave in and lowered her head and took the affection. We went down to town to have breakfast at Falls Market and show Desiree the waterfall. They are doing a lot of construction so the usual overlook was closed. We walked down to the put in and the water level was up to 5 feet and the temperature was noticeably cooler. Desiree and I headed up to take showers with the hope of hot water but we were not so lucky. Cold water leads to fast showers and lots of gasping and groaning. After that we went to the playground and then back to the ranch. We packed up and hitched the shack up to head to Johnstown. We thought we knew where we were going and drove on. We stopped for lunch and watched as Abi tried to climb in the kid playground at McDs but she is still too short and doubting in her skill. When we were heading west on the turnpike we knew we were going the wrong way and had another hour back to J-town.

We arrived an hour past Abi's naptime but we got it all set up and I took a nap while David went on the river. After nap we started to explore the festival area. There was a playground but the plastic was burning hot being in the sun all day. Then we saw the play pavilion - an area for preschoolers to go in the shade where there were toys and stickers and arts and crafts. This was amazing. Abi spent an hour here exploring and playing. Meanwhile, I filled up a plastic tub and schlepped it to our site with the thought that it could be Abi's bathtub. Unfortunately, the water stayed col
d and she shrieked and cried the whole time i tried to wash her. We headed to eat n park for dinner and afterward David returned from the river.

We walked the festival and saw the boaters doing tricks. Abi wanted to get into the water but didn't know how cold the water would be. If only the water was warmer she would have been in there a lot more.

After she was asleep we relaxed with our friends, making jokes, and eating ice cream. The next day we planned to leave Abi with Desiree while we ran the river. And I started worrying. Worrying that she would cry when we left, that she would cry all day, that she would be mean to Desiree, that she would not sleep, and so on. Everyone reassured me that she'd be fine and to relax.

In the morning, we got breakfast and hung out as the kayakers woke. On the way to the port-o-potties i found a 50 cent piece! Who still uses these? This was a sign. Coming out of breakfast there were two quarters on the floor - another good sign! Also, Abi was warming up to Desiree and played play doh for fifteen minutes while we were out of sight loading up and getting coordinated - the universe said it was going to be fine. Before we left, David walked Abi and Desire over to the play station. Abi ran in and didn't look back. We left for the river and did all the usual things - ran shuttle, got changed, chatted with people. In the time that cars ran shuttle I realized that I did not have nose plugs, had two right gloves, and no foam in my boat to keep my legs bent. Oh no, the river gods are sending me a sign. I went toward the water to pee and i slipped and flopped right into the water. The signs, the signs! But, I got on the river with borrowed nose plugs, two right gloves and our lunch bag as a foot rest.

The Stonycreek is a great river because it is not technical. You can read and react to the water without too many consequences. There is a lot of play and many people play for hours on it even though it's a short run (only four miles I think). Every time I run it, though, I keep expecting more difficulty around the next horizon line but it never comes. So, I managed to mind fuck myself over and over.

We got off the river and got back to camp. Abi was at the play pavilion and Desiree gave us two thumbs up as we approached. She said that Abi didn't cry once. She was obedient, ate lunch when asked, and took a 2.5 hour nap! I was amazed and a bit jealous. We played around for the rest of the daylight with the play pavilion and the jungle gym, which cooled down in the late afternoon hours. Abi got to have late nights going to bed with the sun.

Once she was a sleep, momma was able to hunker down with a can of Old Chub which amuses me a ridiculous amount.

The next day we drove home and got Abi back by afternoon nap time.

The season begins - Traveling trio

Time to dust off the Brumbloggy for the spring/summer. We had our inaugural sleep over for 2013 this past weekend as we celebrated our friend's birthday. It was to be quite the party, even from the conception, and it did not disappoint.

David retrieved the Abi Shack while I worked at Drexel on Saturday morning. We headed out of town after Abi's afternoon nap and a neighborly conversation and demonstration of how it goes up and down. There was little traffic and we made good time. Abi was pretty content in the back now that she can face forward. The highlight was going through the Lehigh Valley tunnel. David built it up pretty good and after we went through she said "again!" Sadly, we had to tell her she'd have to wait until the next day.

We arrived at Renee's parent's house and David set to finding the best spot for the RV. I, meanwhile, followed Abi up deck steps and down deck steps, around the yard, up the little hills and down, and all around. She was exploring her new surroundings and I wanted to get something to eat and make sure she ate. But, there was so much to see, and she was especially attracted to the muddiest, dangerous, least child friendly parts of the yard. I had to yank her away plenty of times from heading right into a nice mud puddle - sorry girlfriend but being wet in 40 degree weather does not a happy baby make. There was banjo music playing and she quickly started grooving and drumming.

David finally figured out how to get the heat on in the Shack and could join the party. Abi watched the girls hooping and wanted to join. She had the body motion down but just doesn't have the dexterity or coordination to get it going. She did get to stay up later than usual and did not give a struggle when it was time for bed. This was the first time she would be sleeping in the camper without the pack'n play. We got a bumper which helps her to not fall off but otherwise she had the whole bed to herself which is slightly smaller than a double.

So, as the moon and stars rose in the sky, Abi fell asleep and the parents began to relax a little bit. There was a raging fire that continued through the night. It was still burning at 2 am as I ventured to the bathroom, one lonely soul sitting near staring into it. As the night went on, more people showed up. Some guests lit lanterns and set them off into the frigid air. The circus folk arrived. The hoopers and fire spitters and dreadlocked, hemped, pierced, tatted, dyed and feathered. They stepped it up with fire hoops, stilts, and the electric guitar. The music played for about three hours and our darling child slept through the whole thing, thank the gods. The parents did not so much but it was fine. If it wasn't 30 degrees out I would have been out until 2 am with them but instead I curled up with eyes closed.

Abi woke a little after 6, which is amazing, and after breakfast we hit the road. We left the Abi Shack at Renee's as we'll be back this weekend for Nescopeck training weekend. We made a quick pitstop in Allentown to visit Roby and then back home in time for nap. By 2 pm all three Brumbelows were sound asleep.

Here's hoping for a great spring/summer season.