I recently solicited some BCOS veterans to tell some stories from the early BCOS days. They can relive some cherished memories and us newer members can understand how the group's energy has sustained over the past 50+ years. Feel free to comment on this topic with a Bayou Chapter that you want to share.
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From Wellborn Jack III -
I am 62, grew up in Shreveport, and my father was the founder of the Bayou Chapter and it’s first Prez. Grew up on the Sabine River, Caddo Lake, the Cossatot before it was dammed and my fav the Buffalo River which I still visit every year for a canoe trip from Gilbert past Klabber Falls to the lower Buf and then to White River, pull out, rinse repeat. And if we weren’t canoeing we were in Caney Creek, the Little Mo, Albert Pike or stopping around the San Juans in SW Colorado with the goal to get above tree line and climb a mountain!
I now live in Northeast Ohio in between Akron and Cleveland. It’s beautiful here, rolling hills and more like CT. Lot’s of streams to fish, lot’s of places to camp and canoe. Passed on my love for the outdoors to our three kids who love the outdoors. My oldest is an experienced alpinist, is a dead ringer for my father, and spends his free time free climbing, backpacking and playing outdoors in the Sierra Nevadas and other play areas outside SFO.
Wishing you and your chapter the best. I have found memories of doing things with the chapter.
wj
He also shared a photo of his most prized possessions. This is great BCOS history.
Great story, Jack. I had heard about skiing behind the canoe but not all the details. Steve’s and my first paddling experience together was in that canoe. If you’ve never seen it, you can’t imagine it but I’m remembering it would hold 10 or so people?
From Jack Land -
Many years ago we camped at Daisy on Lake Greeson. Mark and Laura Norris brought the "Monster Canoe". We had the great idea to try and pull a skier with it. First we tried with Michelle Loridan since she was the smallest member there. After three tries, we were about exhausted and someone suggested Jerry Martin since he had been a member of the Ski Cats of Shreveport. First try and we got him up and went quite a distance considering all 8 of us were pretty well worn out by then. There is video if someone has it.
Another one is we had a moonlight float and hired a Salsa dancer to perform for us on a sandbar complete with guitars and salsa music. We hauled a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood down the bayou for her to have something to dance on. It was quite a night :) I remember steaks and wine were involved also. Laura hauled all the food and equipment in a motor boat that looked like the African Queen ❤️
For over 10 years the Bayou Chapter caravanned to the Nantahala for a week of whitewater paddling.
Solo boats were the king in those days. We paddled all day everyday and had group meals.
Turkey Creek was the original camping spot headed up by Jim Overton and Jerry Martin. We then moved to Rocky Shoals since we could have breakfast on the banks and watch the river rise each morning.
We were there when Judy Martin came flying into the campground in her jeep shouting America's been attacked !!! 9/11 😢 Maurice went around and did a recording of everyone's feelings that day. I would love to hear it. Other than that it was a wonderful time for all for many, many years ❤️