Paddlers were Greg, Dave and Diane Mullis, Julieta Salter, Bob and son Andrew Askins, Ken Koth, Ronald Rudd, Diane Conte, Marshall and Michael Hollis.

The water was level was at 300 cfs but it was still a wonderful day on the Saluda. We played some at the pop up hole before heading to the Shandon Rapids. The weekend rock dwellers were out in full force and we saw several of them practicing jumping off of the rocks to cool off. They did not seem to care that the water was down and we were smiled and waved as we went by. Everyone was able to make it through the Shandon rapids upright and several enjoyed a little playtime there after. Congratulations to Dave and Diane for not hitting the guy that came down Shandon minus a watercraft, pfd, helmet, shirt, or shoes while they were practicing some moves just below the rapid. Before we left the beach below Shandon we saw several more folks coming down river sans boat and any other equipment on. One guy complained to his fellow trekkers that his bottom was hurting. You can only wonder what he though would happen if he went down a shallow rapid without benefit of a pfd or at least a pool toy of some kind. Later we stopped for a few minutes at the Whitehouse rapid to admire the few remaining Rocky Shoal Spider Lilies and saw one of the Bald Eagles fly to the nest. The nest can be seen on river left about fifty yards before you come to the Whitehouse rapids. After a brief stop at Whitehouse we finished the remaining all to short trip to Gervais Street.

Thanks to Dave and Diane for running sweep and helping with the trip and to Ken Koth for the ride back to the Zoo.

Mike Hollis