The Expedition Continues...

      It's been almost a year after the inaugural James River Expedition crew parted ways at Fort Monroe, and the season of the paddle has once again crept upon us. The knowledge that last year's crew accumulated was not easily forgotten as the students went home to their communities to spend the word about the glory that is the mighty James. And so, this year, the James River Association has the opportunity to lead not twelve, but thirty-six, students along the upper, middle, and lower James. The students and teachers from the participating schools will form three different teams that each undergo an eight day expedition of their own.  Unlike last year's expedition, this year's crews will each focus on an in-depth study of one section of our river, that is, an unfamiliar section. On June 23, brave souls traveling from as far as Hampton, Western Albemarle, and Charlottesville High Schools will visit the confluence of the Jackson and Cowpasture Rivers.  After what will surely be a bittersweet parting in Lynchburg, the first expedition will then give way to students and teachers from Albemarle, Varina, and Goochland High Schools as they pick up the second leg of a journey on the James. A hundred miles downstream, the second crew will pass the baton to team from the James River, J.R. Tucker, and Hopewell High Schools in their exploration of the lower James. Touching the adventurous spirit of almost fifty more participants, the second official James River Expedition will end July 28, once again at Fort Monroe. These new batch of expeditioners will truly understand the watershed concept as they visit foreign waters far from home, seeing first hand how they are affected by, and affect, fellow Virginians. Fellow river enthusiasts are encouraged to follow along via canoe, kayak, or the James River Expedition Blog. Let the dry bags be put to use!