Shop Dog

I'm working the shop today as Jake's a bit short handed and there were 2 full river trips that went out. It's pretty mellow and the best part of all is that Sam gets to come too!  It's a good deal for him as he just gets loved on all day long by all the customers and it's nice for me to have him around! It definitely makes me want to get a job in the future where I can take him with me.  Happy weekend everyone!

Chuck It!

On days when we are pressed for time, but want to get Samuel out of the house we take him over to Lees-McCrae college for a little game of ChuckIt.  There's a great creek that runs right by the soccer fields and lots of little trails for Sam to go run around. Best of all... we don't have to worry about keeping him on leash!

A group of guys fresh out of college moved into the main house a few days ago, so we're no longer able to break in there to do our laundry. Thankfully, Jake and Danielle said we could do it at their place.  It works out pretty nicely; the dogs get to play, I get to use some precious internet, and the laundry gets done!  Sam loves playing with the puppy and Sundance is getting HUGE! I snapped this photo mid-blog because they were just too cute (and still long enough to get a photo).

With Love from the South,

Jess

Lightning Strikes!

Joe and I took advantage of our joint day off on Monday and went to check out Table Rock. It's a gorgeous (and steep) mile hike up to the top of a mountain where the views are INCREDIBLE! Unfortunately, it rained most of the hike and as you can see from the pictures, our visibility was limited, but it was awesome nonetheless.

(one of the views hiking up)

(Sam taking in the view)

Joe and I packed lunch for ourselves which we ate in the car at the trailhead while we waited for the rain to subside.  There were a few rolls of thunder and some sprinkles while we hiked up, but nothing major.  As soon as we got to the top it started to downpour on us. 

(Caught in the rain)

The rain came down so hard that we hiked down a few steps where we could find some shelter underneath an overhanging rock. 

(Sam taking a drink from the rain)

(Waiting for it to dry up, so we could go back up to the top)

The cool thing about the rain storms here is that they come in out of nowhere and leave just as quickly.  We decided to head back up to the top as soon as the rain cleared to check it out some more.

(The view from the top)

I was checking out the view & out of nowhere lightning struck uncomfortably close to where we were. I immediately yelled for Joe and we began to hightail it outta there. Before we could get down to shelter another lightning bolt struck and we hit the deck. As soon as the thunder boomed we started running down the trail to get into the brush (much safer than the top of a mountain).  Both of us could feel the electricity rush through our bodies from the lightning. It was one of the most intense hiking experiences I've ever had and I'm happy to never be on top of a mountain with lightning again!

Lucky for us the weather cleared and we had a pleasant hike down - lightning free! If time permits we'd like to go check it out again on a sunny day.

Hope all is well in everyones corners of the world!

With Love from the South,

Jess

Ocoee River TN

After a day of work on the river Saturday a few guides and myself took the 3 hour drive to the Ocoee River in Tennessee. We showed up about midnight, drove around till about 1 AM looking for a vacant campsite in the Ocoee National Forest, and finally got a set up about 1:30 AM. We hung out for a while and despite the humidity/heat finally got to sleep around 3 AM. 

We woke early to meet up with a few friends around 8:30 AM who had been down the day before. Landon, Worth, Worth's brother, and I -who were in kayaks- put on about 9am as they had to get back to town early Sunday afternoon. The guys in the raft were to follow shortly behind us. I'm glad we put on early as the Ocoee is one of the most popular runs here in the south and it gets busy with commercial rafts. 

I had a super fun run, class three with only a few holes you gotta look out for. Near the end of the run is a play wave called Hell Hole. Hell Hole was the site of the 1993 World Rodeo Championships and is located right next to the power plant above powerhouse rapid. A super fun wave that was a little on the high side but with a good pile. Def would not want to swim at Hell Hole and down powerhouse. 

We played for a bout an hour till the other kayakers had to take off and when they did I was ready for a break. After a 20 min break I got back in my boat and surfed for another hour till the guys in the raft showed up. I paddle the rest of the mellow stretch with them to the take out. We had a quick lunch, hopped in the truck and headed back to the top for another run. I decide to drop the guys off up top and drive back to Hell Hole to surf some more. I probably played for another good 3 hours while the guys took another run then picked them up at the take out after they went by me at Hell Hole.

By about 3pm we had gotten two runs in, more than a few hours of play boating, and had a super fun day. We got in the truck to come home, stopped in the nearest town for some dinner, then made our way the Nantahala River and the Nantahala Outdoor Center. The NOC is centered around a whitewater play wave and I was able to catch the last half hour of play before the water was too low released by the dam.  The NOC is the site for next years US Freestyle Team Trials, which Missoula just hosted a few weeks ago.

Finally, exhausted and tired of being in the car we made it back to Banner Elk about 10:30 PM Sunday. It was a long drive but so worth it. Super fun river with good energy! Hope to make it back there.

Sorry, no pictures as I forgot the camera...

Peace from the South! Riz 

T-Minus 3 Weeks!

It's official... I'll be leaving the dirty south in 3 weeks to head back to the great wild west. Joe and I have started a little bucket list of things to do before we leave NC.  It seems like just yesterday I was making a bucket list for SLC. Crazy how fast time flies. 

Joe and I are going to make a trip out to the Outer Banks the weekend before I depart and I can't wait. I've heard nothing but amazing things about the Outer Banks and am looking forward to being a beach bum while Joe surfs the day away. It will be our first vacation without Samuelson as we will be leaving him with the Barrows. 

Even though Joe & I have both been working hard (and a lot) this summer, it still feels like one big vacation and pretty soon I will be thrown back into reality (and graduate school). I'm going to try to enjoy every last minute of time I spend in Banner Elk as I have no idea when I will return.

Anywho, look out for more adventures over the next few weeks.  Below are some pictures from yet another swimming hole Joe & I went to with Sam last week.

I realized I never posted this picture that I took a while back. We have one spoiled (and snuggly) pooch.

Much love from the south!

Jess

Salt Lake City!

As most of you know I took a quick trip to SLC this weekend to see 2 of my good friends, Julie & Dan, tie the knot.  It was so nice to see all my old friends from far and wide. Sorry I didn't take too many pictures the night of the wedding, I was having way too much fun!

(All the lovely ladies)

(One of my best guy friends, J)

(Caught the bouquet... whoops!)

A bunch of us went to breakfast the morning after the wedding to the Park Cafe right across from Liberty Park. As many of you know there was an oil spill in Utah a few weeks back and the oil went straight into the pond at Liberty.  They're still working on getting it all cleaned up & the place still looks disastrous.  I can't imagine what the gulf coast must look like!

(This little guy was just hanging out outside the restaurant)

We went to see Kings of Leon on Monday night at the Usana Amphitheater. We were all so excited for the show & they definitely didn't disappoint! I ran into quite a few friends at the show too which made it all the more awesome!

(Our one picture from the night of the show)

It was a little brutal hopping on a 1am flight Monday night and then spending another countless hours traveling back to Banner Elk yesterday, but it was all worth it!  Can't wait to see all my friends again in another 4 weeks!

With Love From the South!

Jess

Wasting Time

The last few days have been pretty mellow for me here in NC. Jess took off early Saturday morning flying out of Charlotte to Salt Lake City for Julie and Dan's wedding (Congratulations!!!) . That left Sam and I up in the mountains without a car. I ride a bike to work which is great on the way down, but uphill the whole way home. I have to stop and walk up the last few hundred yards of the driveway as it is really steep and my legs can no longer take it. I have also been working the shop the last few days which is not nearly as exciting as the river or rock. 

Yesterday I had the day off and fearing the ride home from downtown I decided to stick around the house. I borrowed three long movies from our friend Steve, The Last of the Mohicans, Braveheart, and Avatar.  Sam and I went on three walks, a run, fixed the driveway (the heavy rains and steep driveway provide for some gnarly ruts in the road), and played chuck it for an hour in the front yard. Despite all our activity yesterday, Sam still looked at me with the hope of adventure in his eyes this morning and I'm starting to go a little crazy. 

It rained really hard this morning and brought the water levels up a bit more today. Landon (an EOW employee and fellow kayaker) called to go run Wilson's Creek this afternoon, but I am working the shop today. More rain in the forecast for this week. Fingers crossed it pours everyday. 

Super jealous as Jess gets to see Kings of Leon tonight before flying out, but so excited to have her back tomorrow afternoon! 

Peace from the East! Riz 

Playing Catch Up!

Sorry we've been slacking on the blog postage lately. Last week was crazy for Edge & the restaurant, Joe & I barely had time to see each other, let alone post blogs.  Anywho, here's some highlights from the last week in Banner Elk...

Look, Ma! No Stitches!!

Sam got to get his stitches taken out last Friday! He was excited to get them out & we were excited to have our adventure buddy back!

Gragg Prong

Joe, Sam, and I went out to Gragg Prong to hike & check out a swimming hole we'd heard about. Gragg Prong is also an amazing creek boating spot when the water levels are high, another reason we went to check it out.  I'm really loving all these little creeks & swimming holes - they definitely make the hot days more tolerable!

Carver's Gap on the Appalachian Trail

Joe & I have been dying to check out the Appalachian Trail & we've heard Carver's Gap is one of the prettiest spots on the trail.  Unfortunately, it was really foggy today, so there wasn't much in the way of a view, but it was still rad nonetheless. 

The trail teeters right on the border between Tennessee and North Carolina

We got the hike in early this morning as Joe had the day off and I don't have to work until 4. The water levels went up today as we've been getting rain the last couple of days, needless to say Joe is in his boat paddling the afternoon away!

Random Found Photos

We finally uploaded pictures from our cameras today & found a few we'd forgotten to post.

Joe and Jake's son Levi on the 4th of July

I'm not sure what makes the dogs want to stick their faces in the mud, but they always seem to come back dirty after they go off exploring. These photos are from a recent doggy play-date at Jake's house.

With love from the south,

Jess

US National Whitewater Center

Last Friday I had the day off during a super busy week so I decided to make the trip down to Charlotte, NC and the US National Whitewater Center. After picking up Landon in Boone, a buddy I met through EOW, we made the two hour trek to the park... The concrete ditch. 

The facility is like an amusement park for the outdoor enthusiast! Kayaking, rafting, rock climbing, mountain biking, and running/walking all in one place. Super fun times! We paddled for about 4 hours until neither one of us had any energy left. The place is pretty similar to a ski resort in the fact you pay your toll, make laps, and hop on a conveyor belt that takes you back up to the top without getting out of your boat. With absolutely no water here in the south I may be making more often.   

Here are some pics I found on the web to give you a taste...

Peace and Love from the East! Riz 

4th of July Fun!

Banner Elk blew up with tourists this weekend! The boys at Edge have had full trips pretty much everyday & the restaurant has been full to capacity!  Joe and I got out & celebrated the 4th during the day before I had to head off to work. We went to nearby Wildcat Lake and took out the canoes, played a little volleyball, and laid in the sand. In the spirit of patriotism, we went out for some traditional southern BBQ at the Hampton Store and listened to some bluegrass. I couldn't have felt more American.

While I was at work Joe went with Jake & Danielle (and the kids) to another waterfall/swimming hole. I can't wait to go check it out!

I got off work last night around 9:45 and rushed to meet Joe & the Barrow family at Linville Ridge country club for some fireworks. I missed the first half, but what i saw was AMAZING! Hands down the best fireworks show I've ever seen!  Hope everyone had as great of a 4th of July as we did!

Love from the South!

Jess