The Obed Wild and Scenic River will be hosting another Memories of the Obed program on Saturday, March 14, at 2:00 p.m. (ET). This free program will be held inside the Obed Visitor Center, located at 208 North Maiden Street in downtown Wartburg. This month's program will feature retired Oak Ridge National Lab chemist, Dick Gammage, and retired Oak Ridge National Lab nuclear physicist, Grimes Slaughter. These long-time friends were among the earliest whitewater paddlers who ventured down the streams in the area that is currently known as the Obed Wild and Scenic River. During their river trips, they discovered the beauty, ruggedness and solitude of the Obed river system which helped them escape the demands from their professional livelihoods.
Mr. Slaughter and Mr. Gammage will share their experiences with the grassroots efforts to preserve this river system. They will also discuss some of the earliest whitewater boating trips down the park's streams and how early kayakers fabricated fiberglass kayaks from their own homes. Tales of adventures and misadventures that resulted from challenging serious whitewater rapids in a $20 rubber canoe, braving snow storms and paddling the river in flood stage will also be shared.
The Memories of the Obed is part of a series of regular programs that explores the unique river-related memories of local individuals. Each month, a different speaker shares their memories of life in vicinity of the river. The program is wheelchair accessible. Please contact the park at (423) 346-6294 for further details and information.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
