Chester State Park

Helpdesk checking in here. Today’s paddling trip was a little different than my usual outings. My paddling partner, Gusto, has been working hard restoring an Eddyline Equinox — a sleek blue kayak that’s been getting a second life under his careful hands. The main mission of today’s adventure: put the Equinox to the test. We loaded up and headed to Chester State Park, a gem tucked away in the South Carolina Piedmont. The park’s highlight is its 160-acre lake, which winds through gentle coves and pine-covered shores. It’s not one of the bigger lakes around, but its size makes it perfect for a quiet paddle — enough water to stretch your arms and find a rhythm, without the heavy boat traffic you’d get on larger reservoirs. One unique feature here is the historic stone bridge that stretches across the lake, a favorite spot for anglers and a reminder that this park has been welcoming visitors since the 1930s. The weather gave us just what we needed: upper 80s, sunshine with just enough clouds to take the edge off. Perfect testing conditions. We paddled a little over 3 miles, and I quickly noticed how the Equinox handled. Not as fast as my Eddyline Fathom, but steady and responsive — a solid blend of tracking and maneuverability. Most importantly, Gusto’s repairs held strong. No leaks, no hiccups. The boat performed beautifully. As we glided past the tree-lined banks, I couldn’t help but think about how Chester’s lake is a sweet spot for kayakers. You get the peacefulness of small coves, the occasional wildlife sighting, and that bridge to paddle under. Add in the fact that the park also offers hiking trails, fishing, and a bit of history — and it makes for a well-rounded day trip. We wrapped up feeling good. Gusto’s Equinox passed its trial by water, and we both logged some easy summer miles on a lake that’s always worth revisiting. Success all around. 

 Until next paddle, Helpdesk

 

2025 Nantahala Rafting Trip

 

Two Days on the Nantahala: Trail Names, Rapids, and River Lore

Just wrapped up an unforgettable two-day rafting adventure with NOC on the Nantahala River. It was Helpdesk, Gusto, and Pepe` taking on the gorge—three trail names, one wild ride.

Here are a few cool facts that make the Nantahala more than just a river:

• "Land of the Noonday Sun": The name "Nantahala" comes from the Cherokee word Nun-daye-li, meaning "middle sun." Parts of the gorge are so steep and narrow that sunlight only reaches the riverbed at midday.
• Powered by Nature: The river’s flow is controlled by Duke Energy’s Nantahala Dam. Water is released through a 5.5-mile underground penstock, making the river “turn on” when electricity is being generated.
• Trout Heaven: The Nantahala is one of the top trout streams in the Eastern U.S., with wild rainbow and brown trout thriving in its cold, clear waters.
• Whitewater Legacy: Home to the Nantahala Racing Club and host to national competitions like the Glacier Breaker and U.S. Open, the river is a training ground for elite paddlers.
• Historic Roots: The river valley was once part of the Cherokee homeland and played a role in the Trail of Tears. Today, echoes of that history still ripple through the gorge.

From Patton’s Run to Upper Nantahala Falls, the rapids kept us on our toes—and laughing through every splash. Whether you're chasing adrenaline or just soaking in the misty gorge, the Nantahala delivers.

Next time, we might just add a third day. Gusto’s already lobbying for it.

2025 Green River - Changes after Helene

 Gusto went by to check out the Green River to see the changes post Helene.   From what we see in these photos it was significant.  

Following Hurricane Helene, the Green River experienced significant and widespread changes, particularly in the Green River Gorge area. The river's course shifted, with some areas becoming wider and others narrower, and significant sand deposits and debris were left behind. 

The once iconic rapids of the Green River Narrows were drastically altered due to damage to the powerhouse and a wildfire. The Green River Cove area was heavily impacted, with many structures destroyed and the landscape significantly altered. 

Here is the slides that Gusto put together in video format

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

Channel Changes:

The river's channel has widened in some places, with new islands forming and the current favoring the outside of bends, according to a YouTube video. In other areas, the river is narrower and more shallow, with significant sand deposits. 

Debris and Damage:

The river is littered with downed trees, washed-away structures, and other debris. The Green River Gorge, in particular, experienced widespread wreckage and destruction. 

Green River Cove:

The Green River Cove area was heavily impacted, with many structures destroyed and the landscape significantly altered. Some areas that were once full of houses and trailers are now stripped clean. 

Impact on Recreation:

The changes to the river have impacted recreational activities, with some areas becoming more challenging for kayaking and other water sports.

This is a long video, but it shows Green Cove Rd. one week after the storm. You only need to watch the first 7 minutes 45 seconds to see the damage along the river… it’s mind blowing.

 Green River Video

2025 Shem Creek and Morris Lighthouse

 

Helpdesk, Gusto and Pepe head for Charleston! 

Day One: Shem Creek Detour

Originally, our plan was to paddle out to Fort Sumter, but Mother Nature had other ideas. The winds decided to flex their muscles, so we changed quickly to the calmer waters of Shem Creek—a decision that led us to an equally delightful route.

Launching into Shem Creek, we headed north. The protected waters offered less wind but not totally a smooth paddle, we were greeted with picturesque views of waterfront homes. Some were quaint, others extravagant, but each had its own story etched into the marshy landscape.

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/activity-april-11-2025-7dd0240?u=i&sh=gf9hkv

We had dinner at Bowen's Island Restaurant https://bowensisland.com/ that evening.  Good food and great sunset. 

Day Two: Morris Lighthouse

Thursday brought calmer winds, opening the door for our planned paddle out to Morris Lighthouse. This 10-mile round trip was one for the books.

We embarked through winding marshes, where tall grasses seemed to whisper secrets of the tides. The paddle stretched our endurance but rewarded us with sights that only the water can offer. About halfway through, the iconic Morris Lighthouse came into view—a beacon of maritime history standing proud against the sky.

We made landfall near the lighthouse and enjoyed a well-deserved lunch on the beach. The combination of salty breeze, warm sand, and the lighthouse’s steadfast presence created an unforgettable setting.

On the way back, the winds were at our backs, making for a faster and smoother paddle. 

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/charleston-kayaking-ee0c161?u=i&sh=gf9hkv

This was likely the final big trip of the season. The Helpdesk team and Gusto headed to Mount Pleasant, SC, for their second visit to the KOA campground this year. This time, however, we began our adventure at Ashley River Park, located along the Ashley River. We kayaked a total of 8.7 miles round trip—paddling downstream before turning around and making the return journey against a steady current.

After this paddle we checked into our cabin at the KOA and then had dinner at Home Team BBQ in Mount Pleasant. Good Paddle and good food.  Also a very nice sunset from just outside the cabin. 

We experienced some early morning nature action in the canal behind the cabin. Really interesting to watch these guys hunt.  They would scratch with their feet and hold their mouths open waiting for a crab or fish to come up from the bottom.  

After the bird watching was complete we headed off to Bulls Island.  I've heard it referred two both ways; Bull Island and Bulls Island.  So I did some research and found the following document.  Seems like it is Bulls Island afterall. Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge

Bulls Island, as it is known today, was originally called Oneiscau, a name given by the Sewee Indians. The Sewee tribe inhabited the region north of Charleston and along the Santee Rivers throughout the 1600s and into the early 1700s. They thrived in this area, hunting game and fishing the tidal creeks for food. The name "Oneiscau" is thought to mean "island people," a fitting description of the Sewee's deep connection to the islands and waterways in this region.

In 1669, English settlers set sail for the new province of Carolina, which would eventually become South Carolina. On March 15, 1670, they arrived at Oneiscau and were greeted by the Sewee people. After a brief encounter, the settlers continued their journey down the coast to the Kiawah River, where they established what is now Charleston.

Among the early settlers was Stephen Bull, a prominent leader who would later be appointed Colonel of the militia for the province. Over time, Bull’s name became so strongly associated with Oneiscau that the island eventually came to be known as Bulls Island—a name that has endured to this day.

It was an awesome day for a paddle.   We started out mid morning and rode the outgoing tide.  Helpdesk needs to work on his navigation skills as we did take a slightly wrong turn early on but really didn't matter too much as it was just a left around an island vs a right.  We still got where we were headed.  It was even more adventurous on the way back as the GPS was only showing the way out and therefore I had to turn the map upside down to follow the track back.  I now have a better map source and have it loaded in multiple places.  

It was a really nice trip.  The weather was perfect for the entire trip.  Definitely doing this again.

Helpdesk out. 

 

Lake Jocassee September 2024

What we thought would be just another late summer trip to Jocassee turned into an adventure we never expected. Little did we know, we were about to face some major storm events.

We spent our first night, a Monday, at Devils Fork State Park, setting up our tent in the early afternoon. Eager to explore, we paddled across what we fondly call the “Big Water” to check out the boat-in-only sites. However, the low water levels made access difficult, and even at full pond, these sites would be a steep climb. After hiking around the point and evaluating several options, we concluded they weren’t for us.

As midday approached, the sky grew ominous with rain in the forecast. We returned to our camp, where we enjoyed salmon burgers for dinner and caught up on some reading before bed.

Tuesday dawned early as we packed up our camp and decided what to take for our 8.8-mile kayak trip to the Foothills Trail camp. With our boats loaded, we set off mid-morning, making good time to our destination. We detoured to Laurel Fork Falls, but the low water levels prevented us from getting as close as in previous years.

Anticipating rain, we quickly set up camp and rigged a tarp to shield our tent. This proved invaluable later. 

With camp ready, we hung our hammocks and relaxed. As darkness fell, we started cooking dinner—chicken helper and rice. Midway through cooking, the rain began, and by the time we were eating, a full-blown thunderstorm had descended upon us. The tarp collected water on the left side of the tent, releasing it in bucketfuls, splashing mud and water everywhere. During a brief lull in the storm, Gusto managed to rework the tarp, redirecting the water flow off the back, just in time for more rain overnight.

We awoke to a calm morning, the rain finally ceased. After a quick breakfast, we began loading the boats, only to discover Gusto’s kayak had filled with water overnight, requiring him to pump it out.

Once ready, we decided to head back without any stops. We made the return trip in just over two hours, averaging slightly over 4 miles per hour—our fastest paddle yet.

I had planned to track our journey with GPS, but my watch didn’t capture data in Kayak mode. I later learned that GPS isn’t available in this mode, unlike hiking, biking, or walking. Although disappointed, I found an old set of data from a similar path, allowing me to create an overview of our trip back to Devils Fork.

Dupont Forest August 2024

 Well,  Helpdesk, Gusto and Pepe' make a two day trip to Dupont Forest just outside of Brevard NC.  Mountain biking was on our mind and we delivered. Our plan was to get out in front of tropical storm Debby on Thursday August 8th and we had hoped that we would be far enough west to keep us dry.  We made it all morning and completed a 6 mile ride before the rain started.  We rode by lake Julia and on to bridal vail falls.  After making our way back to the visitor center we grabbed a little snack and hung out at the visitor center porch, we took some time to hike to high falls and hooker falls in the rain. 

On Friday we had much better and warmer weather.  We did a shorter ride, but found out way to Grassy Creek Falls and concurred some nice long hills there and back.  (Note most of these are cascades not falls 😲)

 

Relive 'Hooker Falls and Triple Falls'