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Cowpasture's caretakers celebrate the river
BY MARGO OXENDINE • CONTRIBUTING WRITER
 | | The crowd at the Cowpasture River Preservation Association's annual "River Day" included young and old, and lots of good food, good fun and, of course, the beautiful Cowpasture. (Recorder photo by Margo Oxendine) |
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MILLBORO - Cruising down the river on a sunny afternoon - what could be better?
While about 100 folks gathered at the Lynchburg Camp along the Cowpasture River last Saturday, just a handful took advantage of the afternoon canoe trip.
One of those was I, and believe me, it was the best $10 and three hours I've spent all summer.
For the first time, the Cowpasture River Preservation Association issued an all-points invitation for folks to enjoy "River Day," their annual picnic. I jumped at the chance, and expected hordes of others to do the same. I expected to have to hunt for parking near the canoe launch. I expected to have to fight the crowds for a seat in a canoe. I expected a reserved, perhaps even staid, reception.
Boy, was I wrong on all counts!
I know of just four or five nonmembers of the CRPA who came out to enjoy the day. Those who did not, well, here's a sample of what you missed.
 | | Eddie Walters and some of his brood enjoyed canoeing down the Cowpasture River Saturday afternoon. The three-hour float to the Lynchburg Camp was delightful, warm and breezy. (Recorder photo by Margo Oxendine) |
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You missed a perfect warm and breezy day, paddling down the peaceful Cowpasture. This was my first time on the river; I've spent some time with a paddle in my hands on the Jackson. The difference is, in a word, peaceful. On the Jackson, one must be ever on the alert for rapids and whirlpools and danger. Not so on the Cowpasture.
You missed a chance to beach your canoe and take a refreshing dip in the river. Again, I've taken a dip - or more aptly, a dunk - in the Jackson. It's chilly, and the current is swift; I much prefer the clear, friendly Cowpasture. If your eyeglasses fall off, you can reach right down and snatch them up, before the current whisks them away.
You missed a chance to spend the afternoon with some great folks. We launched our canoes from Joe and Kathy Wood's place - an attractive geodesic dome perched on the river bank. (You also missed a chance to hug on "Carly," an impossibly large, sweet, spotted Great Dane with a French manicure).
 | | Mead Stolarz enjoyed swinging out, over and then into the Cowpasture River Saturday at the Lynchburg Camp, along Route 42 in Bath County. The Cowpasture River Preservation Association invited the public to join its annual summer picnic last weekend; about 100 enjoyed the day. (Recorder photo by Margo Oxendine) |
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Probably worried that I'd be a klutzy neophyte on the river, Kathy fixed it so I'd share her canoe. She's an experienced river dog, and I was glad to be offered a spot with her. I haven't canoed since 1985, when eight of us from San Francisco decided to tackle the Russian River. Talk about neophytes: I marched up to the rental office and proclaimed, "There's eight of us, so we'll need 16 oars."
It took three hours Saturday to reach the Lynchburg Camp. I had managed to tip the canoe over just once. Kathy announced to all what a good navigator I was; I blushed with pride, hoping she meant it. She didn't mention anything about the clumsy attempt to hoist myself back into the canoe after our swim. As we were listing inevitably toward the river, Kathy did the prudent thing: grabbed the camera bag and held it safely aloft.
One thing I'm glad only those present saw was my pants falling down. As a melanoma survivor, I wasn't about to spend three hours on the sunny water in simply a bathing suit. At least, that was my excuse. It has been perhaps four years and 50 pounds since I appeared in public in a swimsuit. So, I grabbed an old, lightweight pair of pants from my drawer as I headed out the door. I donned them for our float. When I tipped us in the water, they got soaked. Then, as we pulled in to camp, the elastic went kerflooey. That, combined with the waterlogged fabric, was "all she wrote" for the pants.
Even those who did not attend River Day simply for the food and fellowship missed out.
You missed Joe Wood's longsmoked hamburgers, hot dogs and Polish sausages. You missed the best potato salad I've ever tasted. You missed plain baked beans, baked beans with onions, and baked beans with other beans. You missed a fantastic, bountiful fruit salad. And boy, did you ever miss dessert. The dessert table was so plentiful, I just knew there'd be lots and lots of leftovers. Good manners won out over lust, though, and I did not ask for a dessert-laden "to go" plate. That is my one regret of the day.
More than anything, though, you missed spending the day with a passel of great people. The CRPA are ordinary folks, who are just lucky enough to live along the Cowpasture. And, these ordinary folks are extraordinary caretakers of this priceless resource. Their mission is "to preserve the natural condition and beauty of the Cowpasture and its tributaries for present and future generations," and they are fulfilling that mission with loving pride.
Who is the CRPA? Folks from Bath, Alleghany and Highland. Folks you know, like and respect. Joe Wood (Bath) is president; vice president is Jimmy Houff of Alleghany; Ellen Ford (Bath) and Anne McCaig (Highland) share the duties of secretary; Jean Howell (Bath) keeps track of the treasury, with the assistance of Highland's Lizzy Biggs.
Board members include Lucius Bracey, John Fowler, Christie Hardbarger, Allan Howerton, Michael Jamison, Jean Ann Manner, David Peters, Eddie Walters and Roy Wright. Anyone can be a member; all it takes is $20 and love and respect for the river.
What does the CRPA do? They clean up litter left by low-lifes; they examine and monitor bugs, bacteria, and benthic macroinvertebrates. They award scholarships - in 2007, to Cody Armstrong of Highland, Haley Woodzell of Bath and Jared Ward of Alleghany, all of whom will major in science or environmental studies in college.
In short, the CRPA does everything that needs to be done to keep the 350,000,000-year-old river healthy, and a happy place to be. Visit their website at cowpastureriver.org. And don't miss next summer's picnic!
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