Date: 2010-06-29
From: Luray, VA

To: Front Royal, VA
Miles today: 28.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Aqua Blazing was ALL it is cracked up to be!!!!Half Left and I rented a canoe, Wild Poodle a kayak and Low Key a kayak, Cahoda opted out of the adventure because of the chance of rapids. We packed as if we were hiking because the idea is to paddle about 12 miles and then camp on the side of the Shenandoah River where much of the land to the northwest is national park owned. We arrived at the outpost with big smiles hoping for some relief in both the fact we were on a river and also we weren't hiking on our tired feet. The idea of refreshing swims throughout the day is just blissful! The Front Royal Canoe Outpost was very friendly and on top of things, the clerk suggested we start at mile marker 1 and finish our trip at 28, the river beyond 28 is really low and we would be walking our canoes through the water, NOT!!!So we took his suggestion, loaded in the bus and were well on our way. Coolers packed with ice, beverages and lunch, backpacks with tents, sleeping gear and extra food and our faces with glee. The bus only took about 30 minutes, Bones the driver gave us a brief tutorial and off we went. The river was 83 degrees, plenty cool enough for a relaxing paddling. It didn't take us long to get used to our vessels, Half Left and I paddled in unison, Wild Poodle and Low Key swiftly glided along. Our goal for the day, 12 miles to the national park camping, through some small rapids, ripples and a couple of Indian fish dams. The water was crystal clear throughout the trip, it reminded me of the springs back in Florida. I was surprised at the calmness of the water. Birds, fish, turtles were everywhere. It was very pleasant. Half Left and I saw a snake swimming with a fish in his mouth and then upon closer inspection, it also had dragonflys riding on the fish, I videoed it and will post them when we go home next week.We arrived at camp about 4:00, exhausted but thrilled. Half Left and I pitched our tent, as Wild Poodle set up hers, then Low Key noticed he left his tent poles with Cahoda, he uses his trekking poles as the supports. Since we weren't hiking he left them, whoops! He used a branch from a tree and got it to work.It was hot in the tents that night! We about baked. The next morning we packed up, ate breakfast and continued on our journey. Shortly into the day, Half Left noticed some people swinging on a rope swing. He wanted to try it so we paddled over. They were from Wellington, FL on break and offered us cold drinks and some nice conversation. Ziggy, the terrier, was swimming around biting the bubbles created when he swam. It was so cute. Half Left got on the rope, I got the camera and off the cliff he went, splash. He loved it and wanted to go again. The group left and Half Left rode the rope on more time, under video surveillance from my camera, yes video exists! It will be posted.Upon leaving the area, the next point of interest was the "rapid" we were to wear our jackets through, a class II/III. We all got on the life jackets, and huddled up to decide how we would tackle it. After the huddle, Half Left and I went first. WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE we said, whoa, whoa, whoa and done, it was over and soooo much fun. It didn't last but a few seconds and it was over. It left us all feeling like it wasn't enough, we couldn't wait for the next one. The hoopla was over, the fright was past and we all survived. I couldn't believe it. Well later there was more and we all couldn't wait.We stopped for lunch and all talked about the rapid. Continuing on, I smelled charcoal. Around the bend were the people we met early cooking hotdogs on a slate beach, complete with punch, beers and even steak. They called us over and invited us to join them, yay!!! We pulled our vessels off to the bank and smiled our way over to greet them. Upon talking to them, they all work together and the two men are professional polo players. They offered up all the goodies we wanted, we all sat aroung learning more about them and they of us. They were very curious of our hike and questioned us. We had a great time! Doug, one of the players, said to his group "Can we take them home?" His group all agreed and so we were to paddle the rest of the 6 miles to the take out and go with them to their horse farm. Wow what trail magic!We hit the next rapid, with smiles wishing for more and excited about the horse farm, we paddled away. It was a beautiful trip! Much needed and so wonderfully fulfilling. Reaching the beach we pulled out our canoes and kayaks, asked the driver from the canoe outpost if he would take ours a day early since we did the mileage in 2 days instead of the usual 3. He agreed and off we went to the horse farm.Their house looks over 500 acres of horse territory, beautifully landscaped with wooden fences and horse barns. Horses everywhere. We got to learn a bit of information about polo, a 4 man team sport. They play 6 time periods of 7 1/2 minutes each and change horses after each period. Meaning each player needs 6 horses per game, wow, unbelievable! The teams must have quite a backup staff!!!Definitely a sport I'm sure I will never play, too much money. Well unless the lottery perks my piggy bank up a little. Of course I never play so it's doubtful.They were wonderful hosts, offering showers, laundry and dinner. Juan and Doug, thanks for the hospitality!!! We are up to our mileage in Front Royal and heading off tomorrow to do the miles to Harpers Ferry. There are a couple of highlights, the roller coaster (a 13.5 mile stretch with up and downs and ups and downs), Bears Den Hostel (a castle like stone hostel owned by the ATC) and the Blackburn AT center (a free hiker hostel owned by the PATC). Looking forward to a small break but also looking forward to moving forward to Massachusets to insure our summiting Katahdin.More to come...