Last Saturday (Oct. 10, 2009) six of us enjoyed what I call the three rivers trip. That is, we started at Kickapoo State Park on The Middle Fork River, flowed south for about two miles into The Salt Fork, traveled down it for about 7-8 miles, then paddled upstream on The North Fork for a quarter mile to the take-out at Ellsworth Park on the west edge of Danville. The temp was near sixty, the water was cold, but thankfully, none of us got in it. We saw the usual amount of local water birds, but what made the trip special was when we ducked into a side lake and an osprey flew right over us. We watched him and some redtail hawks for about ten minutes and observed the osprey catching a fish. We also saw a bald eagle near the take-out. Present for this enjoyable trip were Steve Elkins, Richard McClary, Dave McNattin, my self, and two of the most adventurous ladies we know, who we now call "The Inflatable Girls."   As we sat eating lunch at The Little Nugget, "The Inflatable Girls" issued a challenge for us guys to join them on Stoney Creek on Sunday. Everyone seemed to have an excuse not to go but me. And why would anyone want to go Sunday when it was supposed to be a high of only fifty degrees? Still, someone had to go to represent mankind, so I accepted the challenge. 

STONEY CREEK:  At about 11 am and with the temp only at 41 degrees, "The Inflatable Girls" and I prepared to launch down Stoney Creek. Who are these "Inflatable Girls" you ask. Why they are none other than Anja Kohl and Judy Tolliver. It's their kayaks that inflate, not them. What were you thinking??? No they weren't some dolls that we guys brought along for companionship. These "real" girls don't seem to be afraid of anything. Stoney Creek is a fast, narrow, winding maize of rocks, trees in the water, and many other ever changing obstacles. Everything went fine for two miles.Then we had to drop off the one foot high lowhead dam and try to dodge tree branches which blocked both channels of water. I chose to go down the middle and push myself thru the grass and rocks. I narrowly missed the branches. Judy and Anja weren't so lucky and both tried the right channel and tipped over on the branches. "Yikes"!!!! I'll bet that water was cold. They both said they were ok and we continued on. Another obstacle that got some of us earlier in the year was two trees from opposite banks that made a narrow three foot tight squeeze in fast water. I almost screwed up and recieved a blow to the ribs from the right side but I made it. Anja also had a close call but made it too. Judy got sideways in the squeeze and once again tipped. BRRRRR!!!!!  But once again she said she was fine. On we went till Judy got tangled in another branch and dipped in the cold water again. I gotta tell ya. Nearly anyone else would have had it by now. BUT NOT "THE INFLATABLE GIRLS". Judy had one more minor tip but on we went dodging trees and rocks till we finally took out on The Salt Fork. I would never push anyone to try this challenging creek when it's cold, but if you are up for a challenge next spring,please come along. 

P.S. Hey guys!  I stayed dry and thought I did a splendid job of representing mankind. HA!HA! But next time they may decide to tip me over,so please come along and give me a hand.