Ever dream of taking an epic paddle trip — like exploring the length of the 193-mile Neuse River? Now's your chance, thanks to the North Carolina Paddle Trails Association — and you don't even half to take a leave of absence from work to do it.
Saturday's kickoff trip is down this placid stretch of the Neuse through Raleigh.
Starting Saturday, Emory Sadler will lead a series of weekend paddle trips that will cover the Neuse. (Well, most of it. For some reason, the 11-mile stretch from Falls Lake dam downstream to Buffaloe Road won't be included.) Saturday's kick-off paddle will run sections 3 and 4, from Buffaloe Road to Poole Road, a distance of 7.6 miles. From there, the series generally unfolds in succession. One overnighter, to be led by Don Meece, is planned: the 27.5-mile stretch from Smithfield to Richardson Bridge Road, through that curious area called the Let'Lones, where the Neuse enters the coastal plain and rambles for a bit.
A breakdown of trip dates in the series follows. To get a feel for the specific river sections, consult Paul Ferguson's "Paddling Eastern North Carolina" (Pocosin Press). For more info on the trips, contact Emory Sadler at esadler2008@gmail.com
Saturday: Sections 3 and 4.
January 17: Section 5.
January 24: Section 6.
January 31 & Feb. 1: Section 8 (This section is 27.5 miles in length, and will include an overnight campout.)
February 7: Section 7.
February 14: Section 9.
February 21: Section 10.
February 28: Section 11.
March 7: Section 12.
March 14: Section 13.
March 21: Section 14.
March 28: Section 15.
April 4: Section 16.
April 11: Section 17.
April 18: Section 18.
April 25: Section 19.
May 2: Section 20.
