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April 17th 2010
Map
A slightly overcast mid-70 degree day was perfect weather for our trip on the New River beginning and ending at Gully Branch.
Gully Branch boat ramp is very scenic and has a great picnic area equipped with toilets, running water and picnic facilities. The New River gave us a beautiful trip and offered up a great campsite for lunch (with the usual picnic table, firepit and bbq area).
We approached the campsite with our usual excitement for a picnic in the woods & Dawn ran her kayak aground as she normally would. Impatience set in as I had been busy taking pictures and she opted to get out before I pulled her forwards. She's now mastered the art of getting in/out of the kayak sideways (which is no mean feat given that it likes to tip as you shift your weight) but soon discovered that the boat ramp was pretty steep and the New River is really deep - I tried getting the camera to take a picture but she was already waist-deep in water and needed a helping hand before I got a chance.
Quote of the day: "Dave, can you help me, I'm sinking".
We also saw a little snake on the dirt road on the way home (easily less than 12 inches long). We stopped and took a picture, but had no idea what type it was.
After a bit of investigation (and help from people that know about snakes) we THINK the snake was a Copperhead. Apparently one of the least venomous snakes we have around and also one of the least aggressive of our venomous friends.
They give birth to fully grown baby snakes in the 7 to 9 inch size range - which is about inline with what we think we saw (from our car window vantage-point).
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