Are we good for Merchants Millpond?

Weekend of March 7 or 21? 28 is out for OBX and I have SAR event 14th
I'd like to keep from getting into April as that is Spring Gobbler season here (April 11 is opening day).

What do you know about MMP SP?

How far are canoe in sites? Parking, logistics, etc.

First, Merchants Millpond is not the Boundary Waters, but it isn't bad considering the location. Sort of like skiing the Rockies vs. the east. I used MMP to "train" my Boundary Waters group last year. It worked.

The canoe-in sites are perhaps a 250 rod paddle from the put-in. "Group" sites can be reserved ... sort of ... the individual sites are first come, first serve.

My suggestion is that we reserve a group site (about $30 I believe). The group sites are large, but nicely treed. Picnic tables; fire ring with toilets a short hike away. Reasonably private.

Any paddling is primarily through a large tree covered swamp. Spanish moss everywhere. The swamp drains to a wooded stream that tests steering skills.

I'll try to locate and post some pics. -- Cliff

Some pics of Merchants Millpond paddle trails ... it ain't the BWCA!

works for me. I'm looking forward to it.

I just talked to my daughter in KY and she will be home the middle of next month on spring break. She will be going with me in May to the BW. She is interested in going on a shakedown cruise if the timing works out.

The more the merrier!

Out of the 100+ members in the Outer Banks Paddlers Club, we have five or six who might be interested in camping (four of whom I took to the BWCA last summer). Do you mind if I let them know about this?

BTW, the remote "group" sites at Merchants Millpond can easily handle a lot of tents.

Any thoughts OTH? Any further word on your schedule?

I'm ok with a few extra guest paddlers. I'm thinking I may take my daughter that March 20-21 weekend, even if we end up agreeing on another weekend for our official get-together. We may go out that Friday and stay an extra night.

Anyone know any other BWCA members on the east coast we can invite?

I am surprised more east-coasters did not respond. Perhaps we should pick a date and location, then post it on the main thread?

I'm fine with MMP mar 21-22

Krusty555 says he will join the online group, but is booked 'til summer.

Actually, something in May or June might work for me, but now thru end of April is NG.

Krusty

OTH left a message on the main discussion thread saying that Merchants Millpond is a 5 hour drive for him ... too far. Want to consider moving the site further north to possibly catch more people?

Let's see if we get any more interested parties. There are nice float/camping possibilities (James River State Park)on the upper James River west of Richmond, if it is more central to other members.

James River State Park

OBX,

I'll reply to your post on the main forum here, ok?

I can't do anything until May at the earliest. I wish I could. I've got Cabin Fever, big-time.

As far as suggestions moving North, Have you ever done any of the canals into the Dismal Swamp? Honestly, I haven't, but they sound interesting. I suspect they are a lot like Merchants Millpond. They are generally near Portsmouth, VA. They have the advantage of always being canoeable. They have the disadvantage of being way buggy and snakey in the Summer, so early is the time to go. There is only one campsite, near Lake Drummond. Here's a couple of good links.

Lake Drummond Story

Great Dismal Swamp

The Rappahanock from Remington to Fredericksburg has lots of good camping and is pretty isolated, but it has a fair amount of whitewater.

I have not done the James, but H. Roger Corbett's Virginia Whitewater guidebook suggests that it has a lot to choose from, so I'd be game for that when time permits.

Have fun wherever you go,

Krusty

Krusty -- I am returning to the Dismal Swamp on March 28 (rain date March 29) with the Outer Banks Paddlers Club.

So far we have over twenty people signed up, but more are welcome if you or anybody else wants to join us. Our attraction is Bland Simpson (author, Dismal Swamp native, UNC professor and local story teller who is related to most everybody in North Carolina). He will paddle with us and entertain us with his story-telling at the spill-way site during lunch.

We are not camping. Frankly, the Dismal Swamp is fairly boring paddling ... miles of arrow straight slave-dug canals until you arrive at Lake Drummond. The lake is a four mile wide circle with no interesting geograhpical points of interest, although the shorline is interesting swamp ... with no solid ground to exit on.

The Dismal Swamp has the same distance problems as Merchants Millpond for OTH and you. Still, I'd do a night there if others are interested.

Oh, there is a reason that there are few camp sites there. Even George Washington thought the place was uninhabitable. DO NOT go there after April. Snakes and skeeters will get ya. Here is an old pic I have from Lake Drummond, taken one foggy January morning a few years ago ... Looks pretty "dismal" doesn't it?

I'm doing a 10k March 28, otherwise I'd go.

I grew up in Va Beach and have never been to the Dismal Swamp. Been all around it. I'm told its just a boring meteor hole filled with water and bugs. But I'd still like to paddle it one day.

Again, Dismal is "not the Boundary Waters", eh? All the history IS interesting, though. I wish I could make that trip.

I hope some more folks sign up for this group. There must be more Eastern canoeists on this forum. My wife and I are looking at an Adirondack paddling trip later in the year.

Rlhedlund, Was that your VT cap in that boat pic? My son just graduated from there. He's out in Oregon, now and he wants me to come out there for a canoe trip. So many rivers, so little time...

Krusty

Yes. The only VT grads that I know go to Oregon are foresters. What was his major?

Been to Washington, but not Oregon.

You're close, Environmental Policy and Planning was his major. He's doing environmental remediation (planting willow trees in the Columbia River wetlands and various other stuff)for Americorps. He camps about 3-4 days a week.

Krusty

OBX - my daughter and I are going to do MMP 3/20-21. She has to get back on the road Sun, so we will do an overnight Fri. We will just stay at the family canoe in site. First come, first serve basis, I understand. Will you be out there Sat?

drat! as i said on the main page march is pretty full for me. i'll follow along and am definitely interested in going with this group. mmp is a nice destination, though it was nicer before the hurricane flattened a lot of the older trees in the paddle in group camp. those were some really impressive beeches.

harry

Rlhed -- If I go, I'll be there both Fri and Sat nights.

Turns out we have concert tickets that weekend. I need to do pennance first, then see if wife will take another date to the concert. (She claims to keep Robert Redford stashed in the spare bedroom, but he's not much for taking her out in public.)

I'll get back to you next week. -- Cliff

Rlhed -- At least three of us will be at MMP on Friday and Saturday nights, the 20th & 21st ... myself and another BWAC veteran couple, Judy and Ed. Both are also runners (I once ran also, about 60 pounds ago), so you'll have lots to discuss.

I expect to arrive at MMP in early afternoon. Both Judy and Ed still work (generally a four letter word amongst our crowd), so they will arrive late.

We plan to also use the family canoe-in sites.

Here is a recent pic of me so that you will recognize my ugly face ...



Look forward to meeting you. -- Cliff

Believe you me, I'm no runner. Last 8K walk I did was 40 pounds and 8 years ago.

Should we see if we can drum up a few more participants by posting one final try at a public announcement for this event? Perhaps list it as a "MD, VA, NC and SC Wing Night"? ... just a thought.

give it a try. can't hurt.

Still planning to be at MMP this Friday? The weather forecast looks pretty good.

I'll be arriving mid-afternoon. Friends Ed & Judy will arrive after work.

Yes, we are still good for Friday. We will have a total of three, with one canoe and one kayak. Hope to get there around lunch.

Ron

Rlhed -- I regret that I must cancel my plans. The 16 year-old son of a friend was killed in a car accident Monday. Just got word that the funeral is Saturday morning.

The mother, Jan DeBlieu, is our "Coast Keeper." I sit on her local board.

I apologize, and certainly would prefer to be at MMP.

Hey, no apologies needed. So sorry to hear. There will be another day.

Suddenly lots of pain on the Outer Banks. The boy's mother, Jan DeBlieu is a much loved, highly respected local author and environmental activist. This just caps a year of hell for Jan and her family. Her son died in one of those senseless, freak accidents. Nobody at fault, nobody to blame.

Get in touch if you are headed down to Salvo. The Outer Banks Paddlers Club generally has something happening every week ... either a trip or social event. Its really more of an eating and drinking club that sometimes paddles. Everybody is welcome.

Have a good weekend. Wish I could join you. -- Cliff

A couple photos from our spring trip yesterday. The weather was great, but got frosty in the am.

Let's get another trip planned soon.

Those are some good pictures. Thanks! All of my gear is still spread out around the guest bedroom ... I'm ready to go.

(BTW, not only did I have to attend a funeral, but I had to go to the ballet Saturday night. Now she OWES me a weekend of camping!)