Youngest Eubanks gets 1st combat roll!

[Tim Eubanks]

Kris Kuntz, Jay (my son), and I made the trek over to the Tot for the 246 to Ed Banks learning/practice run. Everybody enjoyed the constant boulder gardens, fun drops, and scenery. Jay did fine on that double/triple ledge-drop thing on the left just past half-way down. He was feeling good.

We took out and went to look at the falls, then reset shuttle for another run.

Jay mentioned that he was very comfortable and having fun. We all made the double/triple ledge-drop thing, Jay had a new and very good line. Kris made it look easy as well.

Down below that is the biggest wave train of the trip and we were ferrying across the full current to try a new approach. I'd made it to the target eddy with Jay right behind, or so I thought. I heard a "DAD!" and looked over to see the bottome of Jay's kayak. I peeled out to give chase and the little booger rolled up quick as a wink with a big smile on his face. I hollered a congratulatory " Yeah!" then "Paddle!" He had enough composure to shake the water out of his face then miss the rocks that would have made for a typical, ugly Cossatot swim.

We high-fived in an eddy below. He was very proud of himself, as was(is) Dad. Big thanks to Uncle Byron for instruction and our neighbors who let us use their pool freely for practice.

Jay mentioned that he now felt invincible. I replied that the river gods don't like cocky. I agree, though, that he was ready for the big wave at Rockport. He asked what's next to which I answered, "Bigger water!" He has a score to settle with the Mother and now he's up to the task.

[CAPTAIN ALEVE]

Way to go Jay! I was watching the radar and it looked like you guys were getting heavy rain. Was that the case and was the river rising?

Captain Aleve

[canoe]

Way to go ...Richland is in his near future . Dale/Pam

[Tim Eubanks]

Mike: Level was 4.05 when we put on at noonthirty. By the time we got back from falls, shuttling, it was above 4.2.

You should really consider making that run if you haven't or don't want to jump off into the Esses. From 4 probably up to 5 or 6. My guess is, looking at the rocks, the features would just change, not get washed out. Someone else may have more experience at those levels. The 3 mile run above 246 is very similar but doesn't have that cool drop/ledge thing. It rained on us fairly constantly except for the 3 or so hours we were on the river.

For those who don't know Jay, he is just now 13 and 80lbs. Kind of scrawny(wiry) like his uncle Byron. Small frames, big hearts, no quit.

[JessNClen]

Hey, way to rock your roll Jay!
Be my roll model... :) Hope to follow soon.
Congrats!

-Jessica

[ckuntz]

Great fun yesterday! Way to go Jay!
Fantastic scenery and rapids.. the falls looked rocking as well!
Thanks Tim and family for a fun run before school restarts for the kids.
Sorry we couldn't accompany Gary Reinhart down the esses this time..
Tim, my wife wants to see that picture of me wide-eyed going over that ledge!

[Tim Eubanks]

Chris, doubt that my puny camera caught your wide eyes. We'll see. It was a great day, even though it was rather dreary, as Jay put it.

Watch out for deer when you drive down 246. I bet I saw 10.