By Kathy Sheppard.

Paddlers: 12; Met at 10, ran shuttle and on the water by 11; finished about 3. Trip coordinators: Ed Wrightson and Kate Whitaker

Conditions: Weather was iffy before 11 am, overcast with some sprinkles, and on the chilly side (mid 50s?) By the time we got in the water at 11, the sun was trying to get through the clouds and kept up the attempt off and on all day. There is no USGS water level reports for Congaree Creek but it seems to have good water in spite of the drought conditions on most of our other midland rivers.

Paddlers met at the put-in on 321 (Charleston Highway) near I-26. Mostly advanced paddlers (my impression, but I'm an extremely new newbie and everyone looks like an expert to me.) We had a tiny paddler, Mike Boone's four-year-old son, who rode merrily along all day in the sit-on-top and did his part with the camera, too. The Creek, which runs partially through the Congaree Creek Heritage Preserve in Cayce, is beautiful this time of year, with fall color still clinging, drifting leaves, water not yet very cold, and just enough wintry sun to make us think we were warm. Few birds and no wildlife – once, we heard the rustle of grass and saw bushes moving as something small ran away from the creek bank. Maybe next time, there will be an alligator – perfect alligator-friendly sites were seen along the banks. Another time there will be birds in those very promising woods. On this particular Sunday it was quiet, we were quiet, and it was all just a pleasure.

The Creek was low and there were lots of overhanging branches, submerged logs, and fallen trees hanging low over the creek necessitating sharp turns and creative maneuvers. One particular downed tree gave one of the Other Brothers a chance to demonstrate his skills with a handsaw—see trip photos. Most of us took home lots of souvenir leaves and twigs from encounters with vegetation along the banks.

We arrived at the take-out at Old State Road in the Preserve as anticipated at about 3pm after about 3½ hours on the water and a half-hour lunch stop. There is a nice low bank along the creek belying the murderous steep climb up to the trail leading to the parking area. Steps carved into the bank were a help to our stalwart kayak carriers. Linda and Marshall (after checking with the coordinators) had gone ahead after passing the half-way mark and arrived at the landing ahead of the main group. By the time the rest of the group arrived Lynda had walked to get her car and volunteered to drive the rest of the drivers to the parking area to get our cars; thanks, Linda.

Rock Garick showed up at the put-in site at end of day, fresh from the Columbia Toys For Tots Motorcycle Ride. He did not look near as tired as I felt.

The trip length was about 4 miles and over too soon for many. No pull-overs to report on this trip; but some 'scutch-overs' and a number of limbo trees to negotiate. And, happy days, no one got to go swimming!

Photo Album