GeoTrashing on Cadron – TRIP REPORT (SUNDAY 1/22/12)

[maggiepowell]

Wow! That looks like an unbelievable amount of trash that you guys pulled out of the river. Kuddos to those who participated since the weather was working against you this weekend. Amazing!

Maggie Powell

[gannon311]

I almost forgot to mention that I never thought I would see cowp beginner smash the wall below daddy's knee,but it happened!!!!!!! I will note that it was in a craft consisting of 1-1/2 canoes tied together with straps and two-by-fours,with an extra canoe and all the rest of the goodies on board!!
Good job cowp! That was a nice line though upper daddy's knee!!!

[Cowper]

I'd like to say a special word of thanks to Jeff and Doug for their help these last two days. It is surprising how much more you can get done when folks pull together. We have really made a difference on this stretch of river!

I almost forgot to mention that I never thought I would see cowp beginner smash the wall below daddy's knee,but it happened!!!!!!!

I'd like to think of it more as a "gentle touch", but it's true! I was just happy I didn't loose the load!

Or did I mean to say, "no pictures, it didn't happen!"

After I overslept this morning I decided there must be a reason, so I talked Debo into heading back to the river. Doug got wind of the plan and decided to join in. Floated from Pinnacle springs down, and got two more canoe-loads worth of stuff.

Update on yesterday - it was eight tires, not six.

Today's take included about 6 more tires, a vending machine of some type, a child's bicyle, a metal chair, part of a washing machine, a metal frame of unknown purpose [figured it out - frame from a Lazy-boy recliner], most of a large plastic chair, and of course, once again a bunch of junk of unknown origin. Also a fishing reel, and a pole with another reel, both far beyond repairable.

I'm also happy to report that while we were on the river, someone rummaged through the pile and "stole" the aluminum canoe and at least one of the heavier metal objects. RECYCLE!


Daylight shot of haul from 1/22/12 (Jeff, Debo, Cowper)


Haul from 1/23/12 (Doug, Debo, Cowper) (not shown, the stuff that was in Debo’s canoe)

A few more shots here: http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/582217820saNQfJ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[gannon311]

Glad u guys could get back by there today! I couldn't get loose from work! Man looks like a lot more than last night in the dark! How much $ was in the slot machine????? And can we ride the bike?

[Cowper]

No money. Bike no good.

Final update, here are the remaining known items (mostly tires):

N35.33162 W92.37631
N35.32900 W92.36840
N35.32571 W92.37234
N35.32575 W92.37283
N35.32599 W92.37372 (3 tires)
N35.33862 W92.37252
N35.29776 W92.38993 (2 tires)


That's good news folks, only 10 items at 7 locations. After that, the "heavy work" is done. Only two of those are downstream of the Pinnacle Springs Bridge.

What this means: one good sunny day, 2 or 3 canoes, and 1 or 2 helpers in kayaks, could finish the effort. If I count me as "given", that means 3 more volunteers; 4 or 5 would be "gravy" and make for an easy day. After that - lots of small stuff if we want to go after all the aluminum cans; if everyone would try to get at least 2 cans each time they run the river, this stuff would get hard to find pretty quick.

[tomOzarkVideo]

looks like a good and purposeful trip.

Hope to make it out soon.

[Clif]

Cowp....As I told you at Joe's.. I have a 12 ft jon boat. It could barge down lots. Is this 2.25 ish level good for that kind of boat? There was a post a few months ago to the subject that the gauge and Mr Billfish's recommendations were not quite in line. I have not done that section in years. Short play sections up stream.

Weather wasn't my problem..I was planning on Sat till you changed. I am the "hired" music leader at Bee Branch Baptist now. Can't just give a call and say hey ...won't be there tomorrow. Hafta plan a little more in advance.

I am good with a day or so notice on weekdays as long as my backup "get kids from school" person is available.

[we66erno1]

And even when your packing out trash, you can still surf a canoe while standing on the gunnels.

[JasonK]

Very cool guys and gals. Good on ya!

[Cowper]

I have a 12 ft jon boat. It could barge down lots. Is this 2.25 ish level good for that kind of boat?

Probably about 2.3 to 2.7 ish would be ideal. It will make a difference if your boat has 12" sides, or 18" sides - I think jon boats could be either in a 12', depending on make and model. We can get the remaining tires with 2 or 3 canoes, but there is some rebar and other metal on the first shoal below Pinnacle springs bridge that might be better to go after in a jon boat. We'll need a cutting torch or metal saw if we want to go after that.

I'm really happy that there seems to be some real interest in this, even though many couldn't make it out to help this time around for lots of valid reasons. (Best example: we66erno1 made at least two other unposted trips, but missed Sunday's trip because he woke up in a hospital Sunday morning with no cell phone, due to a Saturday night car wreck.) It seems like 90% of the folks I have talked to said they want to help on some future trip.

But for those who feel that way, don't just wait for "official" clean ups! I know some of you pick up some trash every time you go out, but it always surprises me how often we will float down a river and not pick up a single piece. (I'm guilty of that too, especially on some of our cleaner streams where you're just not thinking about it.)


WHAT IS REALLY NEEDED NOW: My plea is that each person make a habit of getting at least one or two aluminum cans (or similar small item) each time you float down a river. Get out of your boat if you have to so you can get one that is up on the bank. It might not seem like it makes a difference, but I've lost count of the number of times someone will see me do it, think about it, and then the next thing you know I see THEM picking up a can too. It spreads.

One can weighs 1/2 ounce. Yes, that's right, 1/2 ounce per can. Even the smallest play boat can afford to take on one ounce of additional weight, and it won't change the boat's performance. (Worst case is you might have to take a few minutes to rinse the sand out of the can.) Its easy; let's all just do it.

And let close by giving a big "SHOUT OUT!" to Sabrina, and Joe T, and Stan, and all the others I don't know about, that already do a "clean up" every time you get outdoors. THANK YOU for what you do!

(OK, sorry about that. But if this thread won't die, then I might as well stand on the soapbox while it's here.) :myday"

[Wildwood]

Cowper, what's the current plan for the pile of tires there under the bridge?? My son has offered to help haul them off but it will be a few days. (He has appointments the next couple of days.) He was under the bridge just now and called to tell me someone had dumped a big pile of tires. I told him they were put there after the GeoTrashing event, so he volunteered.

If someone else has offered to help, shout out. Perhaps they can coordinate efforts.

Jan

[DeBo]

It would be great if he would haul off the tires. Hopefully AGFC and the highway Dept. Can get the rest. Thanks!

[Cowper]

Jan,
Please clarify...

If he is hauling off the tires because he can use them for something or recycle them in some way, then we would LOVE to have him come get them.

But if he is just helping with the clean-up by hauling them to a dump, then let us call the Highway Department, and keep our volunteer "people power" focused on cleaning up that which has not yet been cleaned!

(my opinion only, and we all know what opinions are worth...)

[Wildwood]

He was just doing it to help out, was gonna bring the tires to a landfill here. He will leave the tires there. Thanks.
Jan