April
13, 2004
The
Pamlico Paddle - They're All Memorable, but....
Mayday, Mayday!!! This time it’s not a distress call.
The 2004 Pamlico Paddle just happens to fall on the first of
May. What better rite of spring to vie with ancient pagan celebrations
than our sixth, almost-annual paddle.
To debut our first paddle-trail map, the Pamlico County Rural
Development Panel initiated the Pamlico Paddle in 1997. The
original event was held in the thriving metropolis of Whortonsville,
headquartered at Slade’s Grocery, the town hub, presided
over by Miss Winky, the proprietor. Despite weekly assurances
that about twenty-five people would attend, she and her friends
from the Bethel FWB church were unfazed when seventy-five hungry
paddlers appeared for lunch. (One caller who did not attend
wanted to know if, due to recent rains, the creek would be too
full to paddle.)
The first
Pamlico Paddle |
Paddle-2,
hosted by Carla and Graham Byrnes and the Vandemere VFD introduced
new delights including Tai Chi on the beach and a watery treasure
hunt. To cap the day, Graham constructed a paddle-craft in minutes
before our astonished eyes.
The good folks of Hobucken welcomed a record crowd of over a
hundred participants to Oyster Creek for a day of fun in the
hot sun in the fourth paddle.
Getting
underway at Pamlico Paddle #4 |
However,
the third Pamlico Paddle in Bayboro, celebrating the new town
water-park, will be forever vivid in the hearts of all attending.
Guided by the philosophy that our waterways are beautiful in
any weather, the Pamlico Paddle is held rain or shine. We knew
that a nor’easter was forecast. We knew there would be
rain. We guessed there would be wind - though not gusts to forty
knots.
But, no
one imagined that we could paddle right up to our cars on returning,
or that the Triangle VFD barbecue we enjoyed in the old crab-picking
room would turn into a speed-eating contest as the water swirled
above our ankles. And when tiny fish began nibbling at our shoe-laces,
we fled.
Imagine
this room - with ankle deep water... |
The Pamlico
County Chamber of Commerce deserves three cheers for reviving
the Pamlico Paddle last spring and giving over ninety paddlers
a fine outing and great food.
I hope
to see you at Dawson’s Creek on May first. This year’s
Pamlico Paddle is likely to be memorable again.....
Reminder - mark your calendars for this years Pamlico paddle,
set for May 1 at Dawsons Creek. See pamlicopaddle.com
