James River Bateau Festival 2019 - Day 5 Howardsville to Scottsville

Day 5 Howardsville to Scottsville

by Tom Bowman

Had some more whitewater today, as we went through Goosby Falls. Had no problem with the falls itself, but did get hung up on some rocks, requiring jumping off and pulling the paddleboard free. Our little group of MJ, Chuck, Matt and Stewart parked on the bank of the sluice leading from the falls. Lady's Slipper, came through just fine and parked near us. Another batteau came through out of control, swamping Stewart's canoe, and flipping me off the board as the front steering paddle came right at me. Everything was fine though, and we paddled up to the oxbow town of Scottsville. This is the first real town, pop 575, and we had cell service for the first time since Lynchburg! MJ offered up her nephew's camp site on the opposite bank from town, as they couldn't make it this year. Chuck, Matt and myself spread out our camp around some shady trees. We all had a great meal of London Broil steak at the Tavern on the James. Then the rain came, and we decided to go back to the campground. I promptly fell asleep in my cozy tent, and didn't manage to check on the James River Brewery, next year for sure.