Ricky Brightwell and Dewey Wood in the front of the Maple Run
I was going through some photos today and had to share this one. I cropped it out of the original photo and enlarged.
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 The best darn boat on the river!!! I’ve been meaning to put up some information about the Maple Run for months now but never got around to it. Now, sitting here at home, going crazy from the snow, seems like a perfect time to focus on the summer and batteauing down the river!!! Our Current Crew:
 Captain Roger with his wife, Susan Captain Roger Huffman–most often found sitting in his chair by the back sweep, telling of lies (and sometimes truths that sound like lies), and keeping us off of rocks. He is our master boat builder and is a true craftsman. He could use some work on tree identification though. Ha!!
 Ricky on the front sweep Ricky Brightwell–this man takes a lot of abuse from the rest of us all week and should be commended for it! Ricky is a dedicated river rat who enjoys taking wrong turns when shuttling, running us into rocks (when he’s trying to sweep and talk at the same time), and falling off the boat when we are in the middle of a race with another batteau.
 Randy reading the river Randy Lee–this boy scout could start a fire in the middle of a downpour! Randy is a master fisherman who can read the river very well, keeping us off rocks and near good fishing holes. He is also great at starting fires, cooking breakfast, and drinking mass quantities of beer.  Beth, showing the boys how to work! Beth Harker–one of the few brave females to dare to ride the Maple Run, Beth is as tough as the boys, pretty as a flower, and smarter than her dad (ha! just kidding, Ricky!). When she’s not poling or sweeping, she busies herself handcrafting batteau jewelry for the crew. She also enjoys risking her life and limbs by jumping off of high rocks/cliffs in the middle of the river.  Cooper, in the blue UVA hat Larry Cooper–a native of Hogtown but recent convert to the City Slicker-ville of Wyndhurst. We are trying to help him get over his fear of dirt and river water and are coaching him to slowly learn that showers are overrated, clean clothes are unnecessary, and bologna is indeed a breakfast item.
 Boot and a big fish Boot Cox–if we could get young Brandon “Boot” Cox as excited over batteauing as he is about the guitar, this festival would be huge!! But Boot is a great batteau rat, poling, sweeping, getting sunburnt, entertaining with his guitar. Now if he could only find a job… (he’s my brother–I’m allowed to make fun of him!!)
 Rebekah manning the front sweep Rebekah Pekar–well, this is me. I just keep myself busy keeping the boys in line (a full time job), firing the cannon on the Yankees, and periodically manning the front sweep. I’ve had adventures on the batteau over the years, ranging from the wild ER trip from the river to UVA to the serene bridal portraits taken on the Maple Run. Here’s to more good times next year!
 Dewey in 2006  Bob Wells in 2009 *We have 2 more crew members who still ride with us in spirit. Dewey Wood, who everyone knew and loved, was our co-captain with Roger for many years. He is a legend on the river and we could write a book telling of his tales of strength, humor, and love. Not a day goes by that we don’t share stories or think about Dewey. Bob Wells, another crew member, passed away recently after a battle with cancer. He’ll be with us in spirit this year also.*
And every year, we have stray family members, friends, and other river rats come ride a day here and there….all are welcome!!! We’ll SEE YA ON THE RIVER!!!!! -Rebekah I don’t know about you all, but the snow was pretty for a while, and it was fun getting out of school for a while (I’m a teacher and we enjoy snow days just as much as the students!) but I am ready for summer!!!! I can’t wait until I’m on the Maple Run again and can feel the hot sun beating down, have cool river water to jump into, and can share good times and cold beverages on the river!!! I can’t wait til this June!!!!!!!  Maple Run leaving Lynchurg, Day 1 2009 -Rebekah  Arriving in Cartersville Hey when I got home i found a plastic bag wthat does not belong to me. it appears to have a couple of sleeping pads in it. When i unloaded gear at the end it got left in the black trailer. Contact me at 252 305 1676 to claim Bill Plyler Congratulations to you all for riding the river and enjoying the
I missed the Batteau Festival last year as my wife Kathy was diagnosed with breast cancer in Feb of 2008. From then until June of 2009, she had chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation (daily for six weeks). During that time, I saw how devastating the treatments are to a human body. However, I learned just how strong the spirit can be as I interacted with her and many other patients. I also saw how just a little human kindness in reaching out can actually help cure a disease. Kathy is very thankful and lucky to have been successful in ridding her body of cancer. No one is ever ‘cured” but with all detectable traces of cancer killed, she is now beginning a recovery from the treatments. To honor her and all patients, nurses, doctors, technicians, office workers who fight this disease daily I ask Capt Bryan Roberts to allow me to affix the plaque you see. This is to remind us to reach out and help others at all times. Your life will be enriched many fold for each act of kindness you extend. SYOTR Bill Plyler Wednesday Morning I shuttled to Warren’s Ferry. I paddled along with Doug Berry. He in his hybrid canoe/kayk and I in my old Mohawk red canoe. Wednesday Bud and I moved gear to Scotsville and then I came to Lynchburg in order to renew my passport on Thursday. It doesn’t seem right to have had a hot and clean shower and a nap in a king-size bed. But I miss the river folk so Ii will be back with you as soon as I finish my business on Thursday. Of course, my wife has confiscated my clothes and washed them but I will get them back before I leave. Sorry for the smell of clean so late in the week but ………. SYOTR Bill Plyler, Rockfish Runner Hello Batteau people. The Batteaux left Wingina this morning on the way to Howardsville. The water had dropped slightly from the night before while still having a good higher than normal level The current was good. Everyone was in good spirits this morning. A boy named Brandon was caught in a bad situation yesterday afternoon. He was a canoeist from Scottsville. He was hanging out with one of the batteaux and all of a sudden they came onto the left channel around the second island up from Wingina. This rapid pushes you hard to the left bank and there was a big root ball stuck in the way. Brandon’s canoe turned over and his belongings scattered down-river. He said he put his feet up and down-river and barely had time to do that before he was swept under the water and the root of the old dead tree. Luckily he was washed out and came up past the tree. That strainer could have been deadly. He survived with only some cuts and bruises while loosing his tackle box and wallet. He got his canoe back and some of his things. I gave him a ride home this morning to Scottsville. He was in good spirits and was thankful to be alive. Other than that Everyone is having the normal leaks here and there in the boats. A good time is being had. Everyone got in early to Wingina and compared to last year, the strong headwind was nothing in comparison to having walked the boats down in the low water. This was a blessing! In Wingina on Monday night Sarah Wood, wife of our dear departed friend Dewey Wood was at the dedication of a plaque to be placed on the river for Dewey. Several people spoke about Dewey and some read poems. It was a nice event as people gathered around and remembered our lost friend. Holt |
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You may have noticed the plaque on the Rockfish Runner that honors Kathy Plyler and all Cancer Warriors everywhere.
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