Day 7 Slate River to Cartersville

by Tom Bowman

The Official Batteau Festival web page

So the paddle to Cartersville, the longest jaunt of the JRBF, 21 miles of mostly flat water. I mainly paddled with Norfolk's Sharon McQueen and Kathy O'Loughton with their sea kayaks. We had a great lunch tied up to the "Fine Creek Mill" with Captain Ned. Late in the day, was with "Anthony Rucker", "Morning Dew", and another batteau. They discussed with to go behind Elk Island for probably 10 minutes. They decide to stay on the main channel. Which is what I did, however two black birds with white tails flew over, and Cap of the leading batteau, said "That's a sign!" and "Let's do it!"....Sandra, the Charleston kayaker, went with them. They must have had problems, because I never saw them again. I did hear them around midnight, as the loud talking as they arrived woke me up! We had no food as Brian Coffield said it fell through at the last minute. So, I went for a walk around the town of Cartersville and not a soul was seen, or a business was open. Totally dead, like Bodie California. So I loudly complained to anyone who would listen. Gayle Owens took pity on me and fixed cold beans and rice...which filled me up.