Sand Creek / Shirley Gates' Memorial Paddle - April 12             

Vernon Fork Muscatatuck April 13

Eighteen paddlers from 17 different towns and four states attended the annual Sand Creek paddle for the 12.2 mile run from the Westport Dam to the Brewersville Bridge. As is seemingly the norm on these trips for now 4 consecutive years over 7 inches of rain had flooded the upper watershed only six days prior to the scheduled put in. Fortunately, 63 degrees temps and blue skies prevailed for the weekend to satisfy any paddler's desires. The always present overhanging rock ledges and the two carved mill races were enjoyed especially by first time Sand Creek participants. The first mill race (1862 Woolen Mill) was jammed up with newly flooded logs that blocked the entrance and halted any effort to pass through. The second race (1816 Kellar Mill) was run by two ''brave'' paddlers at the end of the trip. Near the half-way point was the traditional scheduled lunch stop. It was here that Shirley Gates was remembered by several members as she was born and grew up near her beloved Sand Creek where she sponsored her annual trip for numerous decades. Many memories and stories were shared about her passion of paddling, camping and total dedication for the club. From reigning as an elected three-time Club President to hosting several club board meetings and her renowned Christmas parties at her house with bumper to bumper filled rooms that left little space for any movement. Baseball and football teams have their stadiums, basketball has arenas but for the Hoosier Club it was her house in Brownsburg that was their true ''home court''. As a tribute her final remains were entered into Sand Creek for her last trip on her favorite Indiana stream to a woman who was one of the most well-liked and popular members in the 62 year old history of the HCKC. Further downstream and hanging from the North Brewersville Bridge was a 6 foot wide sign proclaiming ''HCKC Says Thanks For The Memories Shirley 1937-2023''. The water level was running 3-4 inches over the dam @ Westport creating a CFS estimate of aprox. 150-175. There were 10 kayaks, 6 solo canoes and one tandem. Participants journeyed from both near and far for this event. Hoosier paddlers were from: Indy, Kokomo, Madison, North Vernon, Muncie, Middletown, Yorktown, Elkhart, Goshen, Fishers, Greentown, Brownsburg and South Bend. Out of state participants came from Louisville, KY., Niles, MI. and Mason & Cincinnati, OH. The next day with many camping @ Clifty Falls State Park and also at the Brewersville cabin the Vernon Fork Muscatatuck River was paddled with 14 participants. Vernon Commons Park (Indiana's oldest) was the seen for the beginning and 9 decided on the 5.4 mile trek to the DNR access site at the Crosley/Green Bridge while 5 paddlers enjoyed a longer 11.7 mile run to the Euler Ford Bridge/CR 400 W. The river was @ 161 CFS on the Vernon gauge which made an easy float for the day. All in all, a good two days in southeastern Indiana on two of the states more popular streams that left very few paddlers disappointed with the final results that were offered for the weekend.

Richard Tekulve, Sand Creek trip leader since 2006

Sara Hare, Muscatatuck trip leader

some nice photos furnished by Jeff Stejskal