Los Flemings

Sam tries out his new stand up paddleboard on the Tuckaseegee (an early Christmas present from Dandy & Granddaddy Frank) on a nice late summer day in September. He's been pestering us about one for about a year and we just found this one used. He was spending the night in Sylva and I was able to sneak it over and surprise him under the pretext of picking him up to come home. It is a full body workout and when he gets in some whitewater he kneels or sits to stay more stable - and then when he's ready he can stretch out for a rest....

Thanks to Mame's friend Micki for hosting the Saturday potluck & letting the boys get a ride with Howard.

The central adventure of the summer was a 7 day, 80 mile, self-supported float trip on the Salmon River in Idaho for Ben, Mame, Sam & Grandpa Glenn. We joined three other families from NC, a couple from Idaho and their friend from New Mexico.







The adventure started with Ben, Sam & Glenn driving from Asheville to Salmon, ID and meeting up with Mame and the rest of the crew. Geared up at Blackadar Boating and then spent the night at the put-in, Corn Creek, to be in place for departure the following morning.






After that it was 7 days of floating from sandy beach to sandy beach with some exciting rapids in between. Sam tackled much of the river in his kayak (above) and Mame in the maiden voyage with her brand new canoe.




Gearing up for another day of action












Grandpa takes a turn at the oars.












Our last campsite.

 And a group shot of the entire crew.