Elk River Float

 

This was a joint event with the Highland Rim chapter. We put in downstream from the Tims Ford Dam in Winchester and paddled 8 miles to the Farris Creek Bridge. After setting up the shuttle, we launched our kayaks and a canoe in the cold water of the Elk River. It was a cloudy morning and a heavy fog stayed on the river the entire trip. We also had light rain most of the way and Georganne was able to construct a "rain vest" out of a white garbage bag.  The only folks we saw on the river were fishermen at the beginning so we had the river to ourselves due to the dreary weather. We stopped for lunch at 5 miles and were able to get out and stretch.  We still enjoyed paddling the beautiful Elk River. Paddlers were Jim Barritt, Cathy Conley, Joan Hartvigsen, Pete Jacobs, Renee Jacobs, Nancy Juodenas, Craig McBride, Lora McBride, Sara Pollard, and Georganne Ross. 

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Elk River Paddle - Sara

We had 12 kayakers to paddle the Elk River with the Highland Rim chapter on a hot day in July. We put in downstream from Tims Ford Dam and paddled 8 miles to Ferris Creek Bridge. The water was very cold but felt great in the 90-degree weather. There was a mist on the water which gave the river an eerie look. We saw folks fly fishing, turtles, cows, and geese. Kayakers were Jim Barritt, Joe Campbell, Cathy Conley, Windy Fish, Joan Hartvigsen, Tom Hartvigsen, Marcia Medford, Sara Pollard, Marietta Poteet, Georganne Ross, Lynn Rosser and John Ruth.

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Elk River Float-Sara

We had 11 kayaks to meet at an early 7:30 am put in below Tims Ford Dam. The river had a nice flow and there were only a few shallow spots. Never too low that we had to drag our boats. As we were having lunch on an old bridge, we could hear a tractor coming our way so we scrambled to get off. The tractor's driver took a side road away from the bridge and crossed the Elk River to get to his field. Our kayaks were on the bank in his path but the farmer patiently went around our kayaks. We saw turtles, river otter and a beaver. Perfect day for paddling. Kayakers were Jim Barritt, Wayne Drown, Gary Dryden, Silvia Dryden, Joan Hartvigsen, Tom Hartvigsen, Tony Jones, Sara Pollard, Marietta Poteet, Laura Qualman, and John Ruth.

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Elk River Canoe and Kayaking - Sara

 

We had 25 paddlers from five different chapters on the Elk River. This was a joint event with the Highland Rim chapter.  We put in below Tims Ford Dam and paddled 8.5 miles to the Farris Creek Bridge take out. The temperature was 95 degrees but the water was cool and refreshing. We saw turtles, cows and geese along the way. The river was flowing nicely and we had a shaded lunch spot with plenty of room for all the kayaks and a canoe. Paddlers were Carl Banks, Jim Barritt, Emily Champion, Cathy Conley, Wendy Fish, John Glennon, Michael Glennon, Joan Hartvigsen, Tom Hartvigsen, Nancy Juodenas, Gary Kimbrell, Richard McClure, Joy McKee, Kerri Meeks, Sara Pollard, Marietta Poteet, Georgeanne Ross, John Ruth, Jan Safavi, Cindy Watson, Carl Westman, Kat Williams, Clint Wolf, Ryker Wolf, and Wayne Yancey. 

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Elk River Float - Sara

The Elk River Float scheduled for July 17 was cancelled due to weather,  but we promised everyone who had signed up we would reschedule. So, Sunday, July 25 was the new date. We had 11 participants and the float started out foggy and it was hard to see if there were logs or rocks to avoid. The water was cold though and shallow so most of us had the problem of dragging. Not a lot of paddlers on the river, but there was plenty of folks fishing. Paddlers were Joe Campbell, Michael Glennon, Joan Hartvigsen, Tom Hartvigsen, Tony Jones, Sara Pollard, Georgeanne Ross, John Ruth, Cindy Watson, Kathy Williams and Wayne Yancey.

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Elk River Float - Tony

We had a great float on the Elk from Tims Ford Dam to Farris Creek Bridge. The water was cool and shallow but no obstacles to get into our way. We had 7 people, Tony Jones, Gina Haynie, Sara Pollard, Joni Perrine, Cynthia Meinerding, John Ruth and Carl Banks.

We had a great lunch on the wood bridge that crosses the Elk.

It was a beautiful day, cloudy and not hot. No rain, although it threatened. 

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Elk River Paddle

Joint activity with the Highland Rim chapter. Tom Bentley of the Highland Rim chapter led the paddle since Joan Hartsvigen was sick. We had a small group but we had a great time.  Water was being released ​from the dam so the river water was very cold but felt good in the upper 90 degree weather. This brought out a lot of fishermen trying to catch trout but it was interesting seeing the different styles of boats. From Murfreesboro was Sara Pollard, Jan Safavi, Bill Gibson and his wife Theresa and their 9 year old son. John Ruth of Gallatin was also part of our group.

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Elk River Float - Wayne

There was only myself and Andy Meeks from Murfreesboro TTA, along with Lynn Wilson from Bell Buckle.  I think there were twenty boats total.  Good weather, but I didn't take any pics, (sorry).

Steve's Pictures: