OhioPaddlers.net - Paddling Ohio's Rivers, Creeks and Lakes!

 
 
 

This will be a weekend of camping, sightseeing, dining, kayaking, campfires and whatever else you may want on beautiful Kelleys Island!

This event is organized to bring us all together in this beautiful place.
Kayaking and other activities are on your own.
Can't make it the whole time, no problem.

You must make arrangements for:

• Camping/Lodging (there is no group site)
• Food
• Ferry to Kelleys Island (be aware of ferry schedule and last ferry time)

Bring a bicycle or rent a golf cart. It is the best way to get around the island.

Marblehead Ferry Schedule
https://www.kelleysislandferry.com/schedule.htm

MEET AND GREET HAPPY HOUR!

Join us for an informal gathering in the campground. This will give everyone a chance to meet and socialize. Bring a lawn chair and beverage of choice.
When: Friday and Saturday at 5:00 pm
Where: Waterfront picnic shelter by site 97

Afterward, we may head down to West Bay Inn to watch the sunset.
(See directions below)

Kayak Lessons
It's a long time until August. This venue offers challenges beyond basic kayaking skills. That said, there is plenty of opportunity to paddle in a relatively calm bay. I encourage you to take an Introductory paddle course to make sure you are well informed on safety issues associated with paddling kayaks. I can help with that, either finding you an instructor or offering a class before the event, or even on Friday of the event. If that happens, it will be posted as a separate event.

Important Links:

Campsite Reservations
https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/kelleys-island-state-park

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NOTE: You must book your site to stay in the campground. Do not come to the island without reservations.

• Reservations open at 7am each morning for 6 months in advance of reservation. (For example, you can book Aug 10 on Feb 10)
• You can book for a 14 night stay max.
• Sites go quick, reserve asap. Leading up to August, sites will become available frequently, please check reservations page frequently. Use the notification feature.

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Campground Site Map
https://ohiodnr.gov/static/documents/parks/parkmaps/kelleysislandcampmap.pdf

Kelleys Island Ferry information
This is the ONLY car ferry to Kelleys Island
Departs from Lakeside Marblehead
https://www.kelleysislandferry.com/

Kelleys Island Ferry Group Discount
You must state BEFORE PAYING that you're with "Ohio Paddlers" to get the group discount.
Valid August 1st - 20th
The discount only applies to the per person rate (not the vehicle rate.)
Rates:
Adults (Ages 12 and older) $20.00/person round trip ($2 discount)
Child (Ages 5 - 11) $13.00/person one way ($1 discount)
Child (Ages 4 - under) Free
Seniors (Ages 62+) already get a reduced rate of $18.00/person round trip

West Bay Inn
Description: West Bay Inn is a big outdoor bar and awesome place to watch the sunset. Food and beverages are available for purchase.
Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/kps1kDz6mfwdGJB77

Kelleys Island Visitor Bureau
Find all the restaurants and shops on the island here.
https://www.kelleysislandchamber.com/

PLANNING

** Paddling Discussion
When: Sat 9:00 am
Where: Picnic shelter by site 97
Description: There will be an informal paddling discussion on Saturday morning to talk about the unique conditions, expectations, skill levels and requirements of paddling in the waters of Lake Erie. This is a good chance to talk to your fellow paddlers that have experience paddling Lake Erie.

** Phone service is limited on the island. Please plan on your phone not working. Internet is available at park office. I was able to pick up Canadian cell service international roaming in the campground.

Other Useful Links

East Quarry & North Shore Loops MTB Trails
https://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/east-quarry-north-shore-loops.html

Lake Erie Islands Water Trail - Kelleys Island
https://www.shoresandislands.com/things-to-do/lake-erie-islands-water-trail---kelleys-island-trail?id=513398

EXTRA ACTIVITIES

 
 
 

My cell is[masked] call or text if you have questions.

This is a mutual adventure with HAPPY CAMPERS.

East Harbor his is a very popular state park and all the campsites fill up quick. Ohio Parks has a 6 month window for making reservations. You will need to make your reservation when registration opens up on 2/11/22 to insure a campsite. We are going to camp in the electric sites on loop C as close as to the lake as you can get.

To make a reservation go to:
https://reserveohio.com/OhioCampWeb/#!park/104/434

Click here for a map of the campground

East Harbor is situated on a peninsula stretching into the waters of Lake Erie. There is a large the swimming beach and picnic areas along the lake. East Harbor also has about 10 miles of hiking trails. Also, there are plenty of bars and restaurants in the area for gathering.

Info on East Harbor:
https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/east-harbor-state-park

We will have a group campfire Friday and Saturday evening. Location to be determined. Bring extra wood and a lawn chair for the group fire.

LIABILTY WAVIER: By attending this event you agree to hold harmless Greg Hull, OHIO PADDLERS, and all attendees harmless. By participating in this event you agree to take responsibility for your own health and safety. Furthermore, you agree to all the terms and conditions of Ohio Paddlers liability waiver.

COVID WAVER; By attending this event you agree to take responsibility for your own social distancing and personal protection from infection or illness.

 
 
 

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This event is provided for informational purposes only and is not associated with Ohio Paddlers. Ohio Paddlers is not used for organizing this event and is not responsible for the content. Please sign up for this third-party event through the link below.
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We will be traveling 6 hours south of Cincinnati. As you drive thru the Great Smoking Mountains to a little town of Copperhill Tennessee. Which is on the corner of Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia. Our retreat will be on the 300 beautiful mountain acres of The Whitewater Express resort.

Finishing up the Summer..
This trip is not like our past trips. This one is a bit further distance but without having to load your camping gear, tent and maybe not your kayak. Yet we will be at least 3 days on the river. With a lake and waterfalls to get wet every day!

The resort has offered a package deal! For this trip to happen we must have 12 persons minimum booked and paid.
Package includes:
Upgraded lodging in The Mountain Lodge Cabin. Full Kitchen, private restrooms and showers. (bring your own bedding)
* 6 days
* 5 nights lodging
* 11 meals A/C Dining Hall
* Rafting Upper and Middle Ocoee ( Upper Ocoee is where they held the 1996 Olympics! 5 hrs of rafting on up to class IV rapids.
* Rafting Nantahala (or we can use the inflatable duckies) I'm liking the Duckies!
* Choice of two additional adventures (choose between horseback riding, paintball, mounting biking or high ropes.

Whitewater Express retreat resort in nestled up in the beautiful mountains. We also have free access to their water front area, pavilion and their Lake has a Blob!!!

We will also add site seeing, tubing down the lazy lower section of the Ocoee and maybe chasing waterfalls! This area is breathtaking and the possibilities are endless. I will continue to research the area to see what else there is to offer. If you know this area and have any other suggestions, please feel free to text or call me.
More details on Itinerary to follow!!!

I don't know about their trails but if you have a mountain bike, bring it.
Those who want to bring their kayaks to possibly paddle the Hiwassee River or local lake we will make it happen.

For more details and to attend this event go to link.
https://www.meetup.com/crazy-kayak-adventures/events/290451794/
If you have any questions or concerns please text or call me[masked]

 
 
 

This is a paddling, car camping, hiking, biking and just chill out weekend.
We have been to Brown County State Park many times to camp, hike, and mountain bike. This is an absolutely stunning area. We want to extend our stay to explore this wonderful area. We have planned 4 nights of camping. Let's go get it!

If you are not a camping type, no problem, below are options where you may find a place to lay your head at the end of the day. Come for the day or come for the entire time. Just come and experience this great park with friends.

THE PADDLES

• Yellow Wood Lake (TBD)
• Monroe Lake (TBD)

THE HIKES

• More than 18 miles of easy to rugged hiking trails meander through Brown County State Park in Nashville, Indiana.

THE MOUNTAIN BIKING & GRAVEL GRINDING

• Experience the best mountain biking in the Midwest at the Big Woods Brown County EPIC Mountain Bike Festival, October 13-15, 2023.
• There are nearly 30 miles of beginner to expert mountain biking trails, with 400 feet of elevation change. Trails (mostly singletrack) wind around hills, through ravines and across streams. A permit is required.

THE CAMPING
I have reserved Brown County State Park Rally Camp #2 for this event. The rally camp will accommodate up to 75 people. This site has plenty of room for tent camping and has afternoon sun. This site is primitive with no access to electric but does have water and vault toilets nearby. There are modern toilets and showers available in the main campground within walking/biking distance. You will not have the ability to drive into the main campground. If you have a travel trailer and wish to camp with the group at the rally camp, please message me for details.

If you prefer to reserve your own site, the RV campground is huge! All RV's and Vehicles towing Trailers MUST use the park's West Entrance off of SR 46 two miles west of Nashville Indiana. Since this is an October weekend, act quickly to secure your campsite!

PETS
Well behaved and controlled pets are acceptable. However, please be aware that this is an outing where there may be others that do not enjoy the presence of your pet.

GRUB
Let's do a chili dump dinner Friday night. Please bring a quart of your favorite chili to dump into the pot and a dish to share. You are on your own for all other meals.

ACCOMMODATIONS
Most of us are camping at the state park. If you prefer to reserve an electric site for your RV, You can make reservations through this link.

For lodging at the State Park Lodge or Cabins you can make reservations through this link.

ADDITIONAL LINKS

• Brown County State Park
• Brown County Indiana

ACCIDENT WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY
Your yes RSVP and by attending this event acknowledges that you have read and agree to my accident waiver and release of liability. With this in mind, please remember that I am not your guide. I am a fellow paddler that is offering notice of a group of friends that are gathering to share in ride-share to enable a fun day on the water for all. I love you guys, but I love my family more.

CANCELLATION
This event will be cancelled in the event of inclement weather or unsuitable river conditions. IMPORTANT: Check this MEETUP event page on Friday morning for last minute details and watch your email for additional updates.