James River Bateau Festival 2019 - Day 4 Wingina to Howardsville

Day 4 Wingina to Howardsville

by Tom Bowman

Followed MJ around Sycamore Island, where we caught up with Billy Ray's canoe at a concrete dock. A batteau arrived followed by Duff and Scott in canoes. The batteau crew and the dog, Maverick had a good time with a swim in the warm water, and then did some shampooing. Just up from the dock we found bear tracks and the remnants of a bear's last meal in front of a cave. It was seemingly a short paddle to Howardsville, where we had a shower. Then we all witnessed a double rain bow, to the east over the batteaux...west the sunset was beautiful at the same time as the rainbow. A 93 year old man paddled up in a green kayak with homemade doodle outriggers, he was pulling his wife, who was on an even more flimsy tube contraption. Howardsville General Store had great hamburgers to eat, the Masons also had spagetti to sell. I ate at both places to support the supporters of JRBP! The store also had a DJ, playing some great tunes for the enthuasiastic crowd. Went to sleep contented in my little tent.