Something Wrong at First Camp
The Ocmulgee River runs brown and swift compared to the blackwater rivers BWJ usually paddles — on this trip they rejected a first campsite that had good sight lines and flat ground simply because it "felt wrong," and moved a mile downstream to a second spot instead.
The current pushed us faster than I expected. Brown water, not black. The Ocmulgee doesn't move like the St. Marys. Tina pulled a silver shiner from a back eddy where the current finally slowed. River Dog watched from the bow, nose working.
We passed the old rotating train trestle at Lumber City. Still standing. The river was running high from recent rains — muddy and swift, nothing like home water. That was the point.
Found a sand camp around five. Good sight lines. Flat ground. But something felt wrong. Hard to name that kind of feeling. You learn to trust it. We loaded back up and pushed another mile downstream.
Second spot sat under trees on the sand line. Three hawks circling and calling. Better. Beef stew and mashed potatoes on the camp stove. Said the blessing on a new river.
The Altamaha corridor runs different. I kept waking that night, listening to the current. Not worried. Just — listening.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the Ocmulgee River different from the St. Marys?
The Ocmulgee runs brown and moves faster — described as nothing like the black, calmer water of home rivers like the St. Marys.
What landmark is on this stretch of river?
The old rotating train trestle at Lumber City, still standing.
Why did they move camp after finding a good-looking spot?
The first site had good sight lines and flat ground, but it "felt wrong" — a gut read they chose to trust, so they paddled another mile downstream to a second site under trees with hawks circling overhead.
What were river conditions like on this trip?
The river was running high and muddy from recent rains, swifter than their usual home water.