Georgia Wilderness Society
Flint River Paddle
March 27, 2025
Nine GWS types showed up Thursday (March 27, 2025) at the Flint 96 put-in, eager to get some exercise, enjoy the riparian scenery, and shed the deep winter blues. The weather really could not have been better - cool start but sunny getting warmer, and mild breezes.
Our paddlers were Joe Mangum, Kerry Coburn, David Crumbley, Basil Youman, Pres. Dave Gardner and Terry Ross trip leader, in addition to the folks mentioned above.
The water level was perfect for our easy float, with most obstructions buried or having plenty of room to maneuver around. It was great to see old friends and touch base with some infrequent river companions. We enjoyed stops on frequent sandbars where some bar scavengers acquired unusual wooden shaped works of art.
Lunch was on a sunny bar, perfect for refueling and a lot of river BS talk. Although the advertised wild hogs and turkeys failed to appear (maybe word got around that GWS was coming!), our list of sightings included 6- and 9-foot solar gators warming on the banks, a blue heron, a solid white heron-looking fowl (any ideas?), kingfishers, wood ducks and anhingas.
Special thanks to Curt and Irene Cole for running shuttle and helping with a kayak rescue (no harm, no foul) and to Ben and Anne for their part in the rescue. All in all, it was a great day!
