Carolina's 16th annual canude trip

Leaving the Columbia SC area at 12:30 Friday afternoon was joyful knowing wed be heading to Whispering Pines and visiting with good friends from Triangle Area Naturists at the park and on the canude trip, our 16th. The park appeared to be well maintained during our years absence. Since we didnt bring much clothing, I bought a park tshirt for Allen and 2 pareos (one for me a blue one and a lilac one for the 2012 club auction). All items were well priced.
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We started lining up at 9:20 Saturday morning to head out to the put-in point in the Nichols, SC area. Some canoers/kayakers met us at the put-in point. Attendees were from both Carolinas. For some it was their first floating adventure, for others it was over 100. All 15 boats, 22 people and 2 dogs, were in the water by about 11. The shuttle was quick and efficient. It was super meeting other Lumber River Canoe club members and revisiting with those weve spent times with in the past.
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There were lots of sandbars from which to skinnydip to cool off as well as eat lunch. Some of the sandbars were easily glided over, some not so easy. There were some logs to either float over or get caught on. I was one of the lucky ones who along with a new paddling partner (from the SC upstate) had no difficulties. Some of the wildlife we saw included a turtle, a gar, some small bait fish, lots of birds. Some interesting footprints were noted, but we never did learn if it was anything other than a turtle.
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As we approached our take-out point, we started to hear a little thunder and had a few drops of rain fall. Happily, we made landfall with no disasters, and there were no thunderstorms to avoid. The take-out was quick and successful. Everyone returned to their vehicle or was shuttled to the park. Attendees were presented with completion certificates with AANR,TNS, TAN, and Travelites logos.
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The 2011 canoers/kayakers look forward to year 17. In fact, a few talked about doing it in the fall.
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Some who camped or rented facilities cooked on grounds at the Park. We found a fantastic Italian restaurant less than 15 minutes from the park, Cucina Italian Grill, in Sunset Beach just behind the Food Lion. Allen and I were lucky as they usually only seat those with reservations. It had been a VERY long time since we had savored truly luscious Italian food with excellent service. I just wish it were closer. They are open 7 days a week and serve lunch as well as dinner. Ill scan the menu and email it to anyone who is interested.
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This morning is a lazy day, and well leave about lunch time to head back after saying good-bye (for just the time being) to our TAN friends.
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Photos are waiting to be emailed to me that will be put into Cheris-Travelites Yahoo group and allowed non-club member who were on the trip for two weeks. As soon as get them and upload them, Ill let our fellow canoers/kayakers know.
Here's the Auction update:
1. **Walton Automotive, Greenlawn Dr, Columbia, SC Oil change $10-Allen
2. **Walton Automotive, Oil Change #2 - $5
3. ** Heather gray USC tshirt (XL) - $3
4. **Riverbanks Zoo adult admission for two $10 Wade
5. **Bonefish Grill donated gift certificate dinner for 2 (any location) $30 Paul B.
6. **At Your Service double-walled insulated travel mug - $1
7. ** Shear Perfection hair cut, Two Notch Rd., Columbia, SC $5-Allen
8. ** Bottle (750 ml) of Gnarled Vine 2007 Merlot (member donated) $5
9. ** Dominos Pizza (any location) 2 certificates for one-topping large pizza. $7 Mark K.
10. **Dominos Pizza (any location #2) 2 certificates for one-topping large pizza $7 Mark K.
11. **Tool box, yellow & black, 15W x 12H x 8D $5 Allen
12. ** Mar del Sur & Surf Point chardonnays, 2 bottles, 750 ml(member donated)$35 Al/Marian
13. **Shoneys donated two buffets $3
14. **Griffin Pool & Spa donated: 67ride-on fish, Underwater scope & kickboard - $5
15. ** Soft-sided backpack cooler(member donated) $25 Ruben H.
16. ** Only in America, by Harry Golden, 1959, with forward by Carl Sandburg. Paper is in good condition, but beginning to brown on the edges. $2
17. ** COBY CD Home stereo system w/ AM-FM turner (donated by Interstate Battery) - $50 Ruben H.
18. **Panera donated two $25 gift certificates for Garners Ferry Rd. location - $15 Bob E. (VA)
19. **Travelites ceramic mug w/logo $15 Albert
20. **Travelites (bath-sheet) towel w/your name $25 Al/Marian
21. ** Travelites multi-pocketed tote (orange) $15 Mark
22. **Travelites beige medium tote with logo $29.50 Al/Marian
23. **Travelites womens black polo embroidered with club logo $6
24. **Travelites lightweight royal blue ball-cap w/gold Travelites $20 Jack C(TX)
25. **Tsunami Restaurant $25 gift certificate (Gervais St. location) member donated $5
26. **AANR Caution Clothes May Come Off w/o warning 2XL tshirt $5 Andy C.
27. **AANR grey tshirt size XL $5
28 **Serendipity merchandise logo Royal blue tshirt size XL $15 Mike C.
29.**Serendipity merchandise logo Brown sweatshirt size XL $5-Allen
29a. *Serendipity merchandise logo white tshirt size L $7.50 Mark C
30.**Serendipity merchandise logo Bright pink beach towel $5 Mark C
31. **AANR tan/blue jacket size XL $7.50
32. **AANR green apron Nude Cooking Adds Spice to Life $5 Wade
33. **AANR blue/white towel-$20 Albert
34. **AANR Nudist zippered ball cap $10 Albert
35. **AANR red tshirt Life begings w/your clothes off (XL) $15 Jack C (TX)
36. **AANR olive tshirt live free live nude w/eagle size XL $15 Jack C (TX)
37. **Steam buddy clothes steamer $2
38. **Douglas Fir planted in a 5-gallon nursery container $20 Mike B.
39. **Ace survival/multi-purpose tool. $8 Mike B.
40. **Krispy Kreme - card entitling you to one dozen/month for a year. Garners Ferry Rd. Location only. $5
41. **Cypress Cove green ceramic coffee mug (member donated) $4 Cheri

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