Snow Paddle trip on the Smith River

We got socked with a winter snow storm in late December here in SOutherne Virginia, just in time to get us all in the mood for Christmas. 9 inches accumulated in Henry County, or at least that is what I measured on my back porch on the morning of the 19th. The roads were covered over so we had to make do with some "snow-yaking" down our driveways and street. This was great fun but we wanted to get on the Smith River as soon as possible to enjoy the wintery white banks and quiet peace of a snow-covered paddled. Sunday December the 19th found 4 hardy souls ready to make the journey from Marrowbone creek to Mitchell Bridge. Trent Fentress, Andy and Barbara Parker and me (Brian Williams). We set shuttle at 11am, no problems on the roads as long as you drove slowly. We slipped into the chilly waters of Marrowbone creek and made our way through a winter wonderland of frosted hillsides and snow capped rocks as we enjoyed the quiet beauty of a different world.
You can see a short video of the trip highlights here:

Wintertime Fun

The recent heavy snow fall in Martinsville & Henry County allowed for some unique recreational opportunities. Check out "Snow-Yaking" as shown by the Williams family.

The Doss Family demonstrates "Snow Paddling"

Traditional paddling was also a fun activity this weekend with the beautiful scenry below captured by DRBA members, Andy & Barbara Parker, as they kayaked from Marrowbone Creek to Mitchell Road Bridge.

Videos submitted by Brian Williams & Jennifer Doss
Photos submitted by Barbara Parker

Winter Blues... and Greens

This first week in December brings us rainy and cold weather, but November saw some perfect conditions for wintertime paddling.  Winter can be a great time to see things on the river you might not normally see on summer trips. The leaves are off and you can see a long way through the woods. Wildlife abounds and eagles are a frequent site along certain sections. The stark beauty of the gray sycamores against the blue sky and the quiet reflections on the still waters bring a different perspective to the river scene.

Dress appropriately with layers and wicking clothing, take extra clothes in a dry bag, and enjoy the solitude on the blueways.  Take special note of the various shades of greens and blues to be experienced on the river this time of year.  Several trips were made in November from the Sports Complex to Marrowbone Creek and from Marrowbone to Mitchell Bridge, both excellent wintertime choices.

Andy and Barbara Parker drift by sycamore reflections on a recent Marrowboine to Mitchell Bridge trip

 

Bella the Wonder Dog
(I wonder why I am in this canoe instead of curled up next to a fireplace)

This enormous old sycamore sure does stand out in a crowd !

 .

Katie Majoris and Andy Kent enjoy a recent November paddle on the lower Smith

Long Island Rapids just upstream from Mitchell Bridge

Wintertime reflections on the Smith  Sycamores meet the water

                                                 

A juvenile Bald Eagle comes to rest in a huge sycamore just upstream from Mitchell Bridge

 

A new ramp is not complete yet at Mitchell Bridge but is already seeing some heavy use.

Bella drifts off to sleep under the spell the gentle rocking of the canoe.

Clear skies and the right angle of the November sun create wintertime blues on the Smith

A doe and her offspring spotted on the ridge near the river

Jones to be Presented with Conservation Award

The Dan River Basin Association is pleased to announce that Dr. David Jones is the recipient of the "Taylor Turner Conservation Award" from the Fly Fishers of Virginia in Richmond

The award is presented annually to an individual or group that engages in activities that support the conservation of our fisheries and natural resources.

The award will be presented at the Fly Fishers annual banquet on the evening of January 23, 2010 at the Salisbury Country Club in Chesterfield.

According to Vice President of Conservation Jay Armstrong: "Dr. Jones will be presented the award for his work with Trout in the Classroom and the endeavor to bring this educational tool to the public school environment. It is a great example of how people can make a difference in the future of conservation of our natural resources. Programs of this type can provide the spark that gets children into the sciences and educates people that our natural resources are not infinite and require that we give something back."

Please join us in congratulating Dr.Jones for his outstanding support of our natural resources and his tremendous efforts for the students of Southern Virginia!!!

 

Article by: Brian Williams

TU Names Brian Williams Conservation Educator of the Year for Virginia

Brian Williams of the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) was recently recognized by Trout Unlimited, a national conservation organization, as their Conservation Educator of the Year Award recipient for Virginia.

Williams worked as a volunteer with the Trout in the Classroom Program for four years helping with the creation of Virginia’s first Trout in the Classroom program in Martinsville & Henry County. In early 2008, he was hired as the Education, Outreach, and Conservation Coordinator for DRBA where he has continued to support Trout in the Classroom in more than 25 schools and in the Virginia Museum of Natural History. Williams currently works out of the organization’s Collinsville office. Since the inception of the program in Henry County by Dr. David Jones he has led the Smith River Chapter of Trout Unlimited in becoming the largest Trout in the Classroom Program in the nation.

Trout Unlimited recognized Williams at their annual meeting in Ruckersville, Virginia with the Mike Barbour Memorial Award for his extensive work in educating the public about the importance of water quality and conservation. His work has directly impacted many thousands of children and adults across Southern Virginia. Over the course of his career he has given more than 100 presentations to youth groups on the imperative need for conservation in the Smith River corridor and related areas, has staffed more than 25 workshops for teachers and other educators, has served as a river guide for youth and adult groups floating the river and has authored a new guide to the Smith River that is being used as a tool to promote tourism of our area.

According our local Trout in the Classroom sponsor, Dr. David Jones, Williams “is a tireless advocate for improving water quality in the Smith River, protecting riparian borders and view shed forested areas. His work and passions provide us with one of our greatest opportunities for creating jobs and tourism leading to economic recovery in the Martinsville-Henry County area.”

Smith River Flood 2009

The Smith River presented an impressive show this past week as it came out its banks with excess waters from Hurricane Ida.  Brian Williams of the Dan River Basin Association captured nature's fury on film to document it.  Thankfully, the waters are now under control and the trails along the Smith River Trail System survived the event with minimal damage. Check out this footage...

Goodbye October

“O hushed October morning mild, Thy leaves have ripened to the fall;
Tomorrow's wind, if it be wild, Should waste them all.”
-Robert Frost

Beautiful yet fleeting seems to be what Frost wanted us to remember about fall. This week fall is showing its peak colors in the foothills. Soon the winter winds will bring the brilliant display to an end as our lawns, decks and driveways pile high with the cast off leaves. Take advantage of the mild weather now and enjoy the brief but brilliant color show that is late October in Southern Virginia.

Fall colors continue unfolding across our region but this past week has seen the colors and variety peak in a color explosion. Everywhere you look another beautiful tree can be found just driving through our county, but the mild weather begs us to the trail and the river to experience the colors and peace that prevails in the Autumn woods.

We are fortunate to live in a part of the world where Nature has one last fling before the dormant sleep of winter takes hold. The days grow shorter and bring crisp temperatures as the deep greens of summer foliage are transformed into the vivid autumn palette.

Three factors are known to dictate autumn color: length of night, weather and leaf pigments. The primary factor inducing leaf color change is regulated by the calendar. The increasing length of the night is the plants first signal to begin the process of “winterizing” for the coming cold months.

The amount and brilliance of the colors that develop in any particular autumn season are related to weather conditions that occur before and during the time the chlorophyll in the leaves is dwindling. Temperature and moisture are the main influences here.

 

Warm, sunny days and cool, crisp nights seems to bring out the most spectacular color displays. During the day, leaves produce sugars and the cool nights cause the leaf veins to close holding the sugars in. Sugars and light spur production of the brilliant pigments, by way of anthocyanins and carotenoids producing reds, purples, crimson and golden yellows.

Here a brief list of colors and associated trees
Ash: yellow, maroon
Beech: yellow to orange
Dogwood: scarlet to purple
Hickory: golden bronze
Oak: red, browns or russet
Poplar: golden yellow
Maples: brilliant scarlet to bright golds
Sourwood: deep red
Sweet Gum: golden yellow
Sassafras: bright yellow

 

Where can I go to see autumn color in Southern Virginia? 

You can find autumn color anywhere you find hardwood trees from parks and forest throughout our region, cemeteries, even in our towns as we have an abundance of “sidewalk trees” within our city limits. Your own neighborhood may be one of the best places if you have that favorite maple or dogwood that you always watch for the change.

Although many flock to the Blueridge Parkway for leaf viewing, and rightly so, you can find spectacular color right here in Henry County. Just about any where along a river or lake can provide delightful vistas. Philpott Lake overlook is a favorite spot close to home as well as Beaver Creek Reservoir with its variety of hardwoods surrounding the lake.

I like our local trails as for color watching as you can go often and really do not even need to plan a special trip to visit. are both highlighted in reds and golds but any trail in our region from Fairystone to Philpott, Fieldale to Gravely Nature Preserve. Enjoy it the colors of late October…for as they say, “This is a limited time only offering”