What we’re about
Backpack, Hike, Camp, Kayak- Outdoor adventures- we love to do it all! Based out of Central Virginia!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Beginner Friendly Overnight Backpacking trip for Mother’s Day WeekendKing's Gourmet Popcorn, Afton, VA
NEW PEOPLE WELCOME!!!
This is a beginner friendly backpacking trip.
This overnight backpacking trip is a 5 mile into camp, 5 miles out and back to our cars the next morning. Elevation is less than 1000 feet. There is a water source to filter water, space for tents and hammocks plus a roomy shelter. It has a privy and bear pole. We can gather wood for a fire.
If you are new to backpacking and do not have all your gear reach out to your hosts, we all have gear to lend if needed.
I am using Mother’s Day weekend as the perfect opportunity to guilt my daughter into going out and backpacking with me 😊.
For those more willing to haul a little extra- please bring a beverage or small snack to share. Or a fire log. That would be awesome!
Chatter around the campfire at the end of the day with some great conversation and some food and drink is the perfect way to end the night.
Here is a link to the REI backpacking checklist:
https://www.rei.com/dam/backpacking_checklist_printable.pdfFor anyone tracking Appalachian Trail Miles It is AT mile markers 864.6-859.8 NOBO
Please feel free to reach out to your organizers for any questions or concerns.
Debdeb 804-920-6340
Wally 804-426-9665
Stacy 804-937-3943https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/appalachian-trail-rockfish-gap-to-wolf-shelter?p=-1&sh=q9ngiw
- CAYAK - Paddle Paradise -Camping & Kayaking – Shenandoah River State ParkShenandoah River State Park, Bentonville, VA
FRIDAY NIGHT POTLUCK +1-DAY PADDLE + 2 NIGHTS CAMPING
***ALL RSVPS WILL START ON THE WAIT LIST – YOU WILL BE MOVED TO ‘GOING’ ONCE YOUR CAMPSITE PAYMENT IS RECEIVED BY DEBDEB.The trip is "FULL" @ 30 people on the 'Going' list.
TRIP DESCRIPTION
One-Day Paddle (Saturday) on the Shenandoah River - experience nature up close as you float through breathtaking scenery filled with abundant wildlife. Suitable for ALL SKILL LEVELS & beginner friendly - choose your own pace, no pressure!
NEW PEOPLE WELCOME!!DOWNRIVER CANOE COMPANY:
Our Kayak Route : SEEKFORDS LANDING @ 12 miles.
This is our best day trip over the most remote section of the river including the challenge of Compton Rapid (class II), the sudden ledge, and the old mill race.
ANYONE WANTING A SHORTER PADDLE the outfitters offers 3, 3.5, and 7.5 mile routes as well.SATURDAY LAUNCH SCHEDULE:
We will drive just over 3 miles to the Downriver Canoe Company and be there by 9am for safety briefing and liability waivers. Then we are shuttled to our starting point in Outfitter vehicles. ** Must arrive ON TIME. Late arrivals will be left behind.Kayak RESERVATIONS w/Outfitter
Participants are responsible for securing their own kayak reservations via an external registration link, paying directly to Downriver Canoe Company. Click on link https://www.downriver.com/river-trips/kayak-trips/ and reserve your kayak for trip #4 Seekfords Landing unless you plan to do one of their shorter routes than choose your preference.
There is no special group link or code. Choose Trip #4 for May 31st, 2025 at 9am.
https://www.downriver.com/river-trips/kayak-trips/
You can also place reservations by phone @540-635-55262 nights Camping at Shenandoah River State Park Group Campsite.
▪ Camping fees are separate from the kayak fee and paid directly to Meetup Organizer DebDeb. I have booked the group campsite at Shenandoah State Park. Cottonwood Primitive Group Camp. This walk-in site is for tents only, accommodates up to 30 people and is about 100 yards from the parking lot. There's a bathhouse nearby.
CAMPSITE COST @ $20 PER PERSON FOR BOTH NIGHTS. Payable via app of your choice. No refunds if you are unable to attend (find someone to take your spot.) Any monies over and above will go to purchase wood and pay for the ever-rising monthly meetup fees that Stacy and I pay for our group Rivers Rocks Roots.
All RSVPs will start on the wait list – you will be moved to ‘Going’ once your campsite payment is received by DebDeb.
*** Please message DebDeb once your camp fee is paid and let her know what app you used so she can move you to going.▪ PayPal: 804-920-6340
▪ Zelle: 804-920-6340
▪ Cash App: $DeboraMahanVA07FRIDAY Night = POTLUCK & SOCIAL
Potlucks have been extremely successful in the past - let’s have another!!
▪ Gear setup whenever you can arrive and Potluck @ 5:00 pm. – but arrive at whatever time works for you we generally end up eating all night!!!!OTHER STUFF
Please feel free to reach out with any gear needs! We have extras of everything that we can pull together for you…
Cell service: Not sure this will be my first time staying at Shenandoah River State Park
· DebDeb aka “Mama Mayhem” @ 804-920-6340
· Stacy aka “Dirty Daisy” @ 804-937-3943Cost for shuttle if you BRING YOUR OWN BOAT…AND CANOES…AND TANDEMS
TRIP #4 SEEKFORDS LANDING TRIP
12 miles, 4 hours paddle time
One Boat Shuttle: $40
Multiple Boats Shuttle:
$20 per Canoe $15 per Kayak - Shenandoah Section Hike - Part 5Needs location
Come section hike the Shenandoah with us! This is Part 5 of a 7 part series of overnight section hikes. We will park at the end of the hike and shuttle up to the start. Here we will start at Ivy Creek Overlook, hike 10 miles north to camp (Hightop Hut), then hike out 2.2 miles to end at our vehicles. We will self shuttle.
The overall length of this section is about 12.15 miles with 2,730 ft total elevation Gain.
Day 1: 10 miles.
Day 2: 2.2 miles.
Hightop Hut: Shelter with space for about 10, plus a few designated tent sites around the shelter. There is a privy and several bear poles.Map here: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/shannies-5-e7a8f1d?u=i&sh=mkn9ym
This is not a beginner friendly trip. Everyone must register themselves for an overnight backcountry pass in the Shenandoahs individually, as there is now a small fee. Link here: [Backcountry Permit & Regulations - Shenandoah National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)](https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/backcountry-regulations.htm?fbclid=IwAR2ndHUEhVBXIPSwT1_AeSVuUaFH8bO-JW7jNtuk--AOQ4Ha9XjfszFBOi0)
And lastly, once again, it won't let me input our parking location. We will park and meet Saturday morning, 8am sharp, at Hightop Parking Area. Here are the GPS coordinates:
38.345083, -78.552778
https://maps.app.goo.gl/2DjTCQNqkMgZMPjv8 - DOUTHAT STATE PARK CAMP, KAYAK, HIKE, EAT, HAVE FUN14239 Douthat State Park Rd, Millboro, VA
This event is cross-posted with “We Love To Camp Over 50 Meet-up Group”
DON’T DELAY IN MAKING CAMP RESERVATION AS THESE SITES FILL UP VERY QUICKLY!!!Douthat State Park does not have a tent limit per site if all the tents are set up in the border of the marked area of the gravel.
Douthat State Park has been one of the favorite campsites with our group. Obviously because of its endless options of hiking trails, swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, hydro biking and of course it’s beautiful lake.
In 2024 some of us participated in a 10-mile paddle on the Jackson River through Alleghany Outdoors and had an amazing time so we are adding it as an option again in 2025.
CAMPSITE + PADDLE COST’S AND LINKSPlease see links below to register for campsite and/or kayak trip.
Douthat State Park fills up very quickly once the sites are available to book 11 months prior. I would encourage you not to delay in booking a site. If you end up not being able to go you can always sale your spot to another member or switch it out for another day and/or campsite with any VA state park or get a refund with which they charge a $10 fee.
We will be booking at the White Oaks Campground but feel free to book at any site or cabin and meet up with us.- Each site on White Oaks has electricity
- Your Hosts will be staying at site W015
Alleghany Outdoors is approximately 20 miles from Douthat state park. We will be booking the 9am session from Smith Bridge to Intervale for a 10 mile paddle. Prices are $46 for kayak or canoe and shuttle to and from. $25 for shuttle if you have your own kayak or canoe.
Douthat State Park:
https://reservevaparks.com/web/Facilities/SearchViewUnitAvailabity.aspx
Paddle Trip – Alleghany Outdoors
https://alleghanyoutdoors.com/paddle-trips/smith-bridge-to-intervale/FRIDAY NIGHT POT LUCK AND SOCIAL
Since all the potlucks in the past have been extremely successful let’s plan another. If you are open to sharing, please bring a dish to share. We will hang out, socialize, eat, drink and be merry.
Potluck will start at 5:30 pm at Debdeb's and Wally's SITE W015 but arrive whenever you can we usually continue to eat all night long.- Everyone should bring their own beverage, plate/bowl, eating utensil, and napkins
ACTIVITIES:
There are lots of trails to hike at Douthat. If anyone would like to coordinate a hike let me know and I will get it posted to the group.
Hiking, Biking, Kayaking, Paddle Boarding, Hydro Biking, Paddle Boats, Fishing
