Weeknight Fun

"I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the
waters to create many ripples."  Mother Teresa

This past week we set up a meet-up here in town in which people could demo kayaks and paddle boards.  If you live here in Modesto you are thinking, "where on earth can you do that except in someone's backyard pool?!"  After hearing Meg and Rebecca from Tuolumne River Trust speak last week at our in-store presentation, our interest in exploring this local resource grew.

Whenever I've heard "Tuolumne River" and "Modesto" used in the same sentence, it has conjured up visions in my head of homeless camps and drug deals.  Honestly, I'd NEVER been down there in the nearly 20 years I've lived here because of that reputation, until this last November when I did the Turkey Trot 5K run.  First, let me say that on Thanksgiving morning it wasn't scary at all (unless you count the adrenaline that rushed through me just before the start of the race!).  It was breath-taking down there - misty, fall color on the trees, birds and squirrels...I felt gypped that I didn't know this beautiful riverfront was so close by. I mentioned this to everyone I knew at the race, and they assured me that Thanksgiving morning was the ONLY safe day to ever go down there.  

Well, that just isn't fair!  We contacted the Tuolumne River Trust so that we could begin to get educated about this water resource flowing (ok, kind of trickling compared to the Stanislaus River coming out of Knights Ferry and going through Riverbank) right through our very own Modesto.  We learned that in both Waterford and Ceres there already are nice trail and river access areas.  But wait - there is a paved trail and river access here by the river in Modesto, too - I had seen it on Thanksgiving.  Meg and Rebecca mentioned the issue of the homeless camps down by the river here.  My son was fascinated by one man she told of who has built a multi-room dwelling out of tumbleweeds.  They said people are practically encouraged to live down by the river because well-meaning groups and churches bring down bus-loads of food for them each day.   

"Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to
change the world."  Nelson Mandela

Being an elementary school teacher for 16 years, I was very encouraged to hear about programs that the TRT has going for children and youth to educate them on the watershed area and to provide them access to some outdoors experiences.  The Tuolumne River Trust partners with various other groups to promote stewardship of this river.  Each year they do a fundraising and awareness event called Paddle to the Sea.  

This event is one that we are going to participate in this year, most likely the flat water leg between La Grange and Waterford, with camping out at Turlock Lake.  Next year Jeff will get in on the whitewater part of the North T., which he has done a few times before both in a kayak and on a raft.  We know that Jaunt Adventure Gear alone cannot solve homeless problems or stop drug deals, but together with other groups maybe we can make a difference!

So what about our weeknight meet-up that we held?  We had 8 adults and 6 kids show up, plus our own 2 kids, to explore the water on a paddle board or a kayak.  2 adults got whitewater "rolling" practice with Jeff.  The kids hopped right on the paddle boards because kids are that way - fearless - and paddle boards are really stable. Some of us picked up trash in the area where we put-in.  Yes, it was full of trash - papers, plastic, socks, even a pink bra...yuck!!  There was a trash can nearby, which obviously has been missed by the weekly garbage truck for quite some time as it was overflowing.  And as we were packing up to leave near dusk, 2 sketchy cars with 6 or so questionable guys pulled in, but shortly after a sheriff came by, so that was nice.  Would I go down there by myself?  No.  Do I want this area to be a safe and fun place for Modesto families?  Yes.  So we're planning more meet-ups, and more connections with the Tuolumne River Trust. 

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed, citizens can change the world.  Indeed, it
is the only thing that ever has."  Margaret Mead

Interested in paddling a leg of the Paddle to the Sea event with Team Jaunt?  Call us for details - each person on the team has to raise $100 for the TRT.  209.622.0261

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