Thank you easter bunny!

[JTarver]

Well, Jack and I had a pretty fantastic easter sunday. First we headed over to Gulpha Gorge in Hot Springs to see if it was running. Had enough water to run the little bridge area in the campground and then floated on down and set up video for the main rapid we wanted to hit across the street. Good amount of flow over it, Jack in his creeker and I in my playboat ( this will come back to play shortly ). Note: Had my creeker on top of the truck, but was too lazy to get it down.
This is a great rapid, easily a 3+ I would say. Jack had a great line first time down, styled it outright. Then I head down in the project and get pushed around in it more than I expected. Midway I boof a curler too weakly and get spun around...run the 3 foot drop right below me backward into the hold which boils off a rock as soon as you drop into it. Got my brace and was shoved into a swirling eddy just big enough for me to spin around and head on down the rest in fine order.
Run 2: Jack heads down again, gets high cenetered for a sec trying a different line, and soon works his way off the rock and bounc es down the river left line, kindof a straight shoot with bounce. My second run, again off the curler which catches my stern and throws me to the back for a seccond. I brace and straighten up, only to drop into the hole sideways this time, brace again, and finish out the line again. Both runs were sketchy in my playboat, but upright and airtight. I'll take it.
Then we rush over to Lake Catherine State park in hopes of catching the falls at a runnable level. With flooded ditches on the drive in, we were immediately reassured we would have them. Parked, paddled to the falls, and Oh Lawdy!! Thems beefy! Great level for the falls as we scramble to the top, pick our lines, and set up camera again. After 3 runs each down the falls, much to the enjoyment of half dozen rec boaters, and ten hikers or so ( a few of which prompted our 3rd run down with flattery, which always works with us simple creatures ), we then loaded up and headed home.
Got some nice footage, and had a WONDERFUL time! Great compant, good lines ( mostly ) and good times ( assuredly ).
I will post some video when I get a chance.
I can't wait til they run again, what a hoot!

Joe

P.S. For those of you who are weekday paddlers ( lucky $^%#&! ) that you are, GET PICS AND VIDEO! Be Safe as well!

[Fish]

Heard that the Easter bunny also left some eggs on Barberry Cr. which several paddlers found. Sorry all the kiddos had to look for eggs in the rain, but it was a great day to paddle.

- Fish