Congaree National Park, Oct 9

**Dameon** · 09-15-2009, 17:03

Since I am pretty sure that I will not be paddling, I'm sure i could help take people around so that you can have a way to get back!

**redbank** · 09-16-2009, 17:26

Originally Posted by Dameon

Since I am pretty sure that I will not be paddling, I'm sure i could help take people around so that you can have a way to get back!

If you are not paddling and are looking for some really cool entertainment near the Congaree Swamp, McEntire Air National Guard base is having a huge air show / demo that weekend. They will have everything from Golden Knights to tank demos going on Saturday and Sunday. It is only a few miles up 378 from where we will be camping. The website for info is www.scguardnow.net

Redbank

**ricegravy** · 09-18-2009, 09:29

Originally Posted by salmonofdoubt

For those who plan on paddling, are ya'll taking the guided tour through Cedar Creek or going by yourselves?

How many people are planning on paddling Saturday?

I called the park to get some info on the guided tour and they told me that they have 10 Canoes that people have to call ahead to reserve. He said that they always book all of them. They will allow 3 additional boats to attend the tour. These three can be kayaks or canoes bringing the total to 13 boats. He said any more than that and it would be hard to keep everyone close enough to hear the tour guide.

They start taking reservations two weeks in advance at 8:30am, and they book that tour on that day, so it fills up fast they tell me.

The tour will begin at 9:00am at Ceder Creak Landing. They will paddle down stream a ways and then turn around and paddle back up stream for a total of three hours.

Sounds interesting, but I am still thinking that I might just go by myself starting at Banisters Bridge, ending at Ceder Creak.

The water level is very low right now. I hope that it will come up by October.
This is a link to the water level chart for Ceder Creak
The last time that I paddled the creak it was at 6.5ft. Right now it is at 2ft. Very Low.

-Rice Rice Gravy!

**salmonofdoubt** · 09-18-2009, 20:17

Originally Posted by ricegravy

How many people are planning on paddling Saturday?

I'm game either way as long as whoever is leading the way is familiar with the route, cause it's been way to long since I was last there for me to remember most of it. I do have an open seat in my canoe if we wind up with more people than boats, however, I do not have a spare PFD so anyone wanting to ride with me MUST provide their own.

According to this http://www.nps.gov/cong/planyourvisi...conditions.htm we may need to portage the boats a few times since the water level is so low.

**Muskrat** · 09-21-2009, 13:59

Would love to join you guys as I live in Columbia. Have a few friends that are also getting into hanging now but it seems this particular weekend is chocked full of agendas for us. My family is heading to Pisgah for a weekend at Davidson River. Trying to get some of my hiking buddies to at least stop by and say "hello" but their agendas are pretty tight too. Maybe next time? Hope you guys plan another hang sometime soon. . . just not at Congaree when the "birds" that bite are swarming!

**ricegravy** · 09-21-2009, 16:04

Originally Posted by Muskrat

Maybe next time? Hope you guys plan another hang sometime soon. . .

Sounds Great! There is always a next time with us. I get out in my Kayak every chance I get! Me and some friends are hitting up an Island on Lake Murray tomorrow. Feel free to join in! PM me if you are interested.

Sir Rice, the sloth.

**Trugracie** · 09-23-2009, 12:08

I'm brand spankin' new here, and this is my first post, just to tell you my son and I are in.
My 11 year old boy has been asking me when we would be going camping. All my camping buddies have moved to other states, and it just isn't the same by ourselves, and yes we were ground pounders.
I just ordered one of those $25 Parrot Bay hammocks to see if it will hold me or not (about 265lb). If not my boy could use it, and I'll try to find something for me.
Funny how we don't even have hammocks yet, but look forward to camp, and making new friends to hang out with.

**Dameon** · 09-23-2009, 12:50

Originally Posted by Trugracie

I'm brand spankin' new here, and this is my first post, just to tell you my son and I are in.
My 11 year old boy has been asking me when we would be going camping. All my camping buddies have moved to other states, and it just isn't the same by ourselves, and yes we were ground pounders.
I just ordered one of those $25 Parrot Bay hammocks to see if it will hold me or not (about 265lb). If not my boy could use it, and I'll try to find something for me.
Funny how we don't even have hammocks yet, but look forward to camp, and making new friends to hang out with.

Well I know a lot of the people here have lots of extra hammocks, so hopefully between everyone who comes someone will have a spare that you can try out, just in case you haven't acquired anything by then!!

**Trugracie** · 09-23-2009, 13:00

Awesome!
You guys sound like the people I like to camp with.
If one of us has food, we all have food!
I was thinking about getting this one in particular.
What do you guys think?
http://www.hammockbliss.com/No_See_Um_No_More.html
And if mosquitoes are not an issue since its getting cool, I was thinking about this.
http://www.hammockbliss.com/Hammock_Bliss_Triple.html
The triple is nice because I can use it at home with my wife when we relax in our back yard.
I was thinking of the Skeeter Beeter Pro, but it seems that Bliss uses a stronger material.
Then again, I don't know. I'm new to hammocks.

**ricegravy** · 09-23-2009, 13:28

_____________________
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Probable's--9
Fulminated
RiceGravy
Dameon
Terry_Dodson
Schneiderlein
salmonofdoubt
Keith
redbank
Trugracie & Son

Maybe's--7
Justin
Micah
Sweetpea
Lost & Foundstein
Hangin' Burrito & Running Feather
DougTheElder