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Home > Trip Reports > GF7 - Great Float 07 - Green River, Mammoth Cave National Park
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The entire GF7 crew.
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The GF7 crew hanging out on an island and relaxing.
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Buddy proving he has the greatest patience ever!
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Frisbee time at the island.
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The Great Battle for the Green River!
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Relaxing at the campsite at the end of the day.
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The neighborhood.
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It wouldn't be camping without a fire.
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Jason H jamming by the campfire.
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Raving Damon and the Dance of the Glow Sticks.
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Trip Report
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GF7 - Great Float 07 - Green River, Mammoth Cave National Park
July 2007
Park City , KY
posted by Buster
GREAT FLOAT 2007
Well…it has come and gone. The “Great Float 07”, GF7 to others, occurred this weekend at Mammoth Cave National Park as we floated the Green River from Dennison Ferry to the Green River Ferry. From what I understand, 23 of us braved the heat, bugs, sand, bats, water gun wars, and rubber snakes.
I know there are rules; this isn’t an emergency, I don’t have any Park Rangers floating down my office cubicle, and I don’t care what the pirate rules state, I am giving a BIG OL’ “HOOTY HOOT” to everyone that attended the trip. If I have broken a rule, then I will walk the plank next year. However, I have to add I had a great time on the weekend trip and can’t wait to do it again. Speaking of doing it again, my cleaver fiancé asked me last night if next years float is going to be on Friday, August 8, 2008 (08.08.08). Do I see a trend?
I am writing the trip report from my perspective and I hope that everyone who attended the annual event adds comments to this report. I am sure I am not the only one writing a trip report, but since I have been writing some detail fishing reports, I thought I would jump on in and give this on a try.
Earlier in the week, I had made a list of items and gear I would need to take for this trip. Friday after work, I got home and immediately went for the list and I grabbed a pen, so I could check off each individual item. I wanted to get packed so I could relax for the rest of the night. I started at the top of the list. “Kayaking” I hunted all of my kayak stuff: kayak, paddle, PFD, etc. I live in a townhouse and my spare bathroom upstairs has turned into the kayak and fishing storage room, so getting all of the kayaking necessities was easy. Next…”Fishing”, I had to scramble around a little for this one. I have several fly rods (9 in total) and a lot of gear that was not going on this trip. I usually write “Fly Fishing” trip reports and since this trip is about kayaking and camping, I am not going into the details.
At the bottom of the list was “Food & Camping”, I left this for last. I knew this would take a little longer to gather. I have some gear upstairs in the attic and wanted to wait until the sun went down before I went upstairs. Amazing enough, I didn’t have to get up there. I guess I had a majority of the camping stuff already packed in plastic totes from my last fishing / car camping trip. I gathered the dry bags. I started with “Old Blue”. Old Blue is the only water proof gear bag that is large enough for my tent and foam sleeping pad. I then grabbed my clear REI gear bag for clothes, towel, pillow, and a blanket. I figured that is all I would need to keep dry; I didn’t want to fill the dry bag to the max. I planed on putting the REI bag in the front hatch of the kayak.
After I collected all the gear I absolutely needed to keep dry, I moved on down to “Food” on my gear list. I grabbed my Action Packer and started loading it up: stove, pots, bowl, utensils, etc. I started thinking to myself to see what else I needed. I thought, “I hope I have some fuel for the stove.” So I grabbed the Peak 1, unscrewed the cap, and nothing. I don’t think I could even smell fuel. I guessed I used the fumes too. I put sent out an email about fuel. I hoped for a good response. I guess it was an hour or two later, when Andrea (Fiancé) and I went to Wal-Mart to get food for the trip and Coleman fuel.
Truthfully, I didn’t want to buy a gallon of fuel. I wouldn’t be able to really store it in a good place in my home and it would take me about 10 years to use that gallon. I am usually car camping with my fishing buddies, which means I have the maximum use and storage of my truck with camper shell. My usual means of cooking is a dual burner propane canister stove. Since I was at Wal-Mart to get food, I might as well stop by the sporting goods area and check out the gear. This would be a good time for me to get something new and that is what I did. Instead of spending the $6.00 for fuel, I spent $20.00 for a stove that uses the green propane canisters, which that I have three of at home; now there is no need to buy fuel. After spending $70.00 at Wal-Mart, not all of that was for the trip (Like Blue Bell Ice Cream going camping); I headed home to finish packing. I guess it was 10:00 PM before I got into bed. Andrea said,”You know, you’re not going to sleep a wink. You’re too excited about going camping.” She was right.
Friday evening I had loaded the truck up and was about 90% ready before I went to bed. I put all of my cold goods in the refrigerator the night before, so all I would have to do the next morning was grab my food and throw it in the soft-sided cooler (Also new). The kayak had been sitting out all day long while I was packing and the surface of the kayak was probably about 100° degrees. I decided I would load the kayak the next morning, so it would be cool when I loaded it up onto the truck. There is no sense in burning myself before the trip, when I can burn myself paddling on the river. I took my advice well; I have a nice burn on my shins. Oh well, you win some, you lose some.
I had about an hour and half drive from my house to the rendezvous site in Bowling Green and since I had not loaded the kayak the night before, I set the alarm for 5:45 AM. I wanted to get shower and clean up before I left, eat some breakfast, and finishing loading up the truck. Andrea was only half right about getting to sleep. I did managed to get some sleep, but it didn’t matter, I was wired and ready to go. I woke up shortly after 5:30 AM. The alarm was not going to wake me today. I finished getting loading up my truck and shortly after 6:45 AM, I was on the road to BG.
It was right around 7:30 AM when I arrived at the rendezvous site; of course, I was the only one there. I sat there for a minute and then went over to gas station to fill up and then to bank to get some cash. I wasn’t sure if there was a charge for a backcountry camping permit, plus if I got irritated with someone, I could put a pirate bounty on their head. AARRGGGGG!
After driving around for a bank and getting some cash, I headed back to the rendezvous site to meet up with everyone. When I got back, there were several people there gathered around talking and hanging out. Everyone who was riding in the caravan (this reminds me of a joke, I will add it at the end of the trip report) from BG to Mammoth Cave NP, was suppose to be at the rendezvous site by 8:00 AM, of course, the guy who helped put this together (Wade) didn’t get there until 8:15 AM. We heard about some lame excuse about gas or something like that. Needless to say, we were not in the parking lot for long. I think it was 8:17 AM when we headed to our vehicles to get on the road. There was just enough time to say the “Hi’s and How are you’s”.
I not going into every minute of the trip, but I think there was a time frame from which we were suppose to follow and be in the water at a certain time. I think it went like this:
8:00 AM – Meet at Houchens on Old Louisville Road
9:07 AM – Meet at Mammoth Cave NP for Checking-In with park rangers.
9:37 AM – Launch canoes from old Dennison Ferry.
???????? – Eat lunch at one of the many islands.
???????? – Make to the campsite and set up for the night.
It was more like this (not all of the details are included):
8:00 AM – Meet at Houchens.
9:25 AM – Meet at Mammoth Cave NP. Jason H. collected all the license plate numbers with the make of vehicles and went into MCNP visitor’s center to Check-In with the park rangers. Wait 15 minutes. Then Jason comes out and then all of the people who drove a vehicle had to go in and Check-In with the park ranger.
10:45 AM – Everyone drives to Dennison Ferry to begin the camping trip.
11:20 AM – I think everyone is in the water in at this time.
I know we weren’t in line with the time frame, but no one cares. We are having fun.
Launching of the canoes and kayaks was interesting to watch. Not only were there 23 of us who were floating down the river, but the canoe outfitters were launching groups too. Some of the GF7 group had started down river, while others waited between other groups. I was already in the river by this time, so I started down the river, but ended up paddling back upstream to watch the mass hysteria and help out if necessary. I think the kayaks were the last to load up and hit the river; best for last. It was a nice afternoon, the sun was out, the water was cool, and the pirate games were about to start. I paddled on down river to catch up with some others. I needed to get to an island to get a hat and water gun out from storage.
While I was paddling, a couple others stayed back. But they eventually caught up. The first canoe to catch up was Damon & Amy in the Yellow Canoe “Bus”. They were decked out with eye patches and other pirate garb. But it got better when they shared with everyone “pirate bounty”, which were gold coins of chocolate…Yummy. The other pirate that caught up was, Cary. He was in a green kayak with outriggers that had pirate flags. He was ready to stake the campsite and make it ours. Way to go to both groups for the pirate décor.
We stopped at the first island for lunch, to throw the Frisbee around, to toss out a fishing line, and etc. I grabbed my hat, water gun, and my fly fishing gear. I tried fishing for awhile but the heat was too much and I think it had the fish were pushed down into the cooler water. As for lunch, everyone was snacking on chips, sandwiches, or whatever they had. Damon had some fierce jalapeno flavored pistachios. On the island, the Frisbees were flying around and the dogs were chasing them all around. We all pretty much just lounged around in the water and tried to keep cool. I am not sure how long were there, but I would guess about and hour or two. Everyone gathered their chairs, headed back to the canoes, and down river we went again to the next island.
While on the first island, I grabbed my water gun and stashed it in the front the kayak with me. As we meandered our way down stream, Damon and Amy pulled up next to me and we discussed ambushing Jeremie McC, who was just ahead of us. Damon and Amy slowly paddled up on the left side and I paddled my way on the right side. Damon and Amy crept up, loaded their water cannons and soaked Jeremie from the left side. Just as Jeremie turned his head to the right to get out of the blast of water, I unleashed my water cannon. At some point, he just gave up, sat there with his head hanging down and took the barrage of water. I think I heard him say something like, “What did I do?” Sorry, Jeremie, those guns you were packing had to be cooled down.
We stopped at the next island and got out to stretch out our legs and to lounge around again. There was more eating, fishing, throwing Frisbees, and lounging in the cool waters. A few of us used to hang out a lot and we had the chance to catch up with each other and talk about our lives; some have babies now or one on the way, some are getting married soon, and we all learned one lonely guy just can’t stand the state of Mississippi. The dogs were out and running around again, I think they enjoyed the islands more than the canoeing. I think Rex played Frisbee or swam in the water until legs couldn’t take it any longer. Krissy ran around and floated in the water in her doggie PFD and Buddy sat on the ground with a potato chips hanging from his mouth and one balanced on his nose until he was allowed to eat it. That dog had some patience. While we floated down the river, several of us grouped together and tied our canoes and kayaks together. It was one large party barge.
I am not sure how many islands we stopped at, but eventually we made it to our camping destination. It was sandy area in between two elevated areas of ground with trees and undergrowth. There was plenty of room, shade, and firewood. Did I mention the sand? I think I took a pound of it home with me the next day. We all helped each other beach our canoes and kayaks. Once everyone took out all of there gear, the group started setting up tents and their campsite. After everyone was done, it looked like a mini-neighborhood with tents, chairs lined on each side of a sand street. And at night with all of citronella candles lit, it looked like we all had our porch lights on.
After I set up my tent and camp, I helped out my neighbor with his tent, and then sat down to get a little drink. I should have brought more water with me than what I did. I started feeling it a bit dehydrated while at camp, but I kept drinking small amounts of water. I tried to eat some too, but that wasn’t much fun. I kept my noodles and chicken for later. I knew eventually I would want them. My Coleman stove worked out really great. I might do a short gear review later, but just to let you know, the stove heated the water up to boil almost instantly. But of course, as hot as it was outside, I probably could have heated the water to a boil in the sand, but just not as fast.
While some people were eating, hanging out, or whatever, there were a few others gathering wood for the bonfire that night. I know I saw Melissa dragging braches, twigs and bark to a staging area. I think Rob B. unearthed a tree. Some of noticed that we had not seen Rob in a while and started yelling out to him. I think it was about 20 minutes later when he dragged down a huge chuck of dry wood. For all of the others that gathered firewood that I didn’t mention, thank you, I enjoyed the fire that night as well as many others.
I don’t know what time it was, but I think Melissa was ready to snack on some tradition camping treats. Melissa grabbed the marshmallows, Hershey chocolate bars, and graham crackers; it was time for some smores. You know, I really can’t remember the last time I had smores by the campfire. Thanks Melissa, they hit the spot. Somewhere in between the campfire and guitar picking, someone brought out chemiluminescence sticks. Damon and Amy tied them to string and started waving them around. I managed to get a few nice shots of Raving Light Stick Damon. Actually, I don’t have any shots of Damon; the photos are more of a blur of blue and green lights. A lot of the night was spent harassing the McCarty twins, who are still looking out for their other twins to transform together to form MEGA-MCCARTY; was well as some more joking around, and stoking the fire for some cool night time photos. I know I have a few. It was somewhere around 11:00 PM when I decided to call it a night head to the tent.
I got into the tent, unrolled my sleeping pad, grabbed the blanket just in case it got cool that night, and the lights were out. I know I snore and I am truly sorry for anyone that didn’t sleep that well that night, but I have to take defense. I was not the only one sawing the logs. I know I woke up during the night at some point and heard other people snoring around me too. I am not a late sleeper anymore. I used to be able to sleep until noon, but now, getting up at 7:30 or 8:00 AM is considered “sleeping-in”. Sunday would be no exception. I woke up around 6:00 AM. Since no one else was up, I started to pack up my tent and other gear and I loaded up my kayak for the trip out. Jeremy M was up soon after me, but I think he was up for “mother nature” because he was out of tent for about five minutes and then went back in to catch a few more “Z’s”.
I am not sure who got up next, but slowly people started emerging from their tents and fixing breakfast and coffee. By about 8:15 AM, everyone was up, eating, packing, cleaning up camp, and loading up the canoes. I think it was an hour later, before we launched back into the Green River to head for the next group of islands and finally, the take out location. As we headed down stream, Damon and Amy found a live bat treading water. Damon lifted it up on this canoe paddle and put it on the shore. After doing such a good deed, I think Damon needed to do something opposite to equal out the karma.
Damon and Amy paddled up to Jason Mc (the right leg to MEGA-MCCARTY) and Melissa. I think Damon said something like, “Look what I found.” And then he threw a rubber snake into the canoe. If anyone didn’t know that Melissa is afraid of snakes, well the do now. She literally jumped up and turned around in canoe and let out a deathly scream. Then everyone floating by the canoe started laughing. I bet if she tried, she could have done a back flip too. Damon wanted to pull the prank again on Jeremie Mc (the left leg to MEGA-MCCARTY), but Melissa and Jason mentioned what happened to them. The prank was on hold for now.
At the last island, we all jumped out to hand out, fish, and do whatever. Damon gave me the rubber snake and I tried another prank on Melissa. It worked to some degree, but it wasn’t as good as the prank in the canoe. We stood in one area of the island for good half hour. At the very top of the hill that was in front of island, there is a web camera for National Park Service. We were hoping we could get our photo taken and the photo would be put online via the NPS website. I looked on the internet today to see if I could find the photo, but no luck. However, someone managed to find it and it is out there amongst the GF7 crew. We stayed at the island for awhile and I was ready to head on as well as a few others. The take out point was less than a mile away.
A few of us arrived at the take out point and started unloading gear and moving canoes and kayaks out of the way. It ended up being a good idea to have a staggered group at the take out point. Jeremy M and Melissa had left their vehicles at the take out point and they shuttled people back to their vehicles at Dennison Ferry. After I got back to the Green River Ferry parking lot, I loaded up my vehicle with gear and the kayak and made the drive home back to Nashville. I had a great time and I am ready to do it again, but perhaps a different river next time. Someone might have to research that in the future. I hope everyone had a good time too. If you have more to add to this story, please do so. I would like to hear everyone else’s experience.
See you next year,
Buster
And now the Caravan joke; did you think I would forget?
At the finals of the National Poetry Competition, there were two finalist; one a Harvard educated professor of literature and the other, a Tennessee redneck. The final round consisted of each competitor being given the same word and having to complete a verse, using the word.
The Professor went first. The Judge said, "The final word this year is ’Timbuktu’" The Professor started thinking. Ten seconds went by…Twenty seconds. The crowd became nervous. After about a minute the Prof. began,
"Walking across the dessert sand,
Trekked a lonely caravan.
Men on camels, two by two,
Destination- Timbuktu."
The crowd went wild. There was no way that the Tennessee redneck would ever top that.
The redneck was brought on stage. The judge gave the word, "Timbuktu."
The young Tennessee redneck looked to the sky, he thought for few minutes, stepped up to the microphone, cleared his throat, and began,
"Tim and I me, a-huntin went,
Walked upon three whores in a tent,
They were three and we but two,
So, I bucked one and Tim Buck Two!"
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