Trail Tails...
Student Group Weighs In on Beaver Lodge &
Beaver Tail
The following is a
report on the adventures of a group of graduate students from Duke
University's Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences.
On
the weekend of October 8, 2004, we traveled down to the Roanoke River to
work with Roanoke River Partners and The Nature Conservancy on a service
project. Our group of twelve students started on Saturday at Roberson's
Marina and canoed down Gardner Creek to the Beaver Lodge group
platforms.
One portion of the group then traveled by motor boat to Cut Cypress
Creek to work with chainsaws and hand tools to clear trees out of the
channel and open the way for canoes. It was difficult, deliberate work,
but the passage is one step closer to being clear. The other portion of
our group journeyed into Devil's Gut from behind the Beaver Lodge
Platform to look for a canoe passage straight through the heart of the
swamp. Hopefully, our start will one day allow paddlers to travel
through Devil's Gut during high water.
Our group thoroughly enjoyed working on these projects to help the
Roanoke River Partners. In return, we had a wonderful weekend on the
river. The weather was beautiful - we had mild, clear days and cool
nights. The leaves were just starting to change colors, particularly the
big, golden sycamores and red maples. The tupelo and black gum were
covered in fruit that would fall with a little breeze, making plunking
noises in the river.
We
marveled at the size of the old cypress trees and were treated to
multiple choruses of barred owls, both during the day and at night. The
Beaver Lodge group platform easily accommodated our group of twelve. We
had plenty of space for sleeping, cooking, and sitting around at night
bythe glow of headlamps. Sunday was another beautiful day and we
leisurely paddled back up Gardner Creek.
We were very pleased with the ease of planning and carrying out our
trip, thanks to the web site and the helpful staff at Roberson's Marina.
All of our rental canoes and equipment were appropriate and in excellent
condition, with the exception of one flat-bottomed boat that may be
better suited for fishing or short trips around the marina. Also, we did
not receive any formal instructions for the portable toilet - this led
to some
confusion in our group.
We had a wonderfully relaxing and productive trip. We are especially
grateful for Jeff Horton and Harry Thompson for their generosity as
local hosts to our group.
We'll be back!
We want to hear from you.
Your stories, pictures,comments and suggestions not only
make us smile... they help us build a better trail and make changes
when needed.
Disclaimer
Roanoke River Partners publishes these
stories for entertainment purposes only. We do not verify their contents
or recommend that you follow advice given. Paddler/Campers are
responsible for their own safety and comfort.