Today’s Chattanooga Times Free Press included an article on one of Rock/Creek’s elder statesmen, Andrew Akridge, who has set off with fellow Chattanoogan Dave Petty on a paddling trip that will cover all 652 miles of the Tennessee River. They started the trip near Knoxville and passed through Chattanooga midday yesterday. Here’s an excerpt, read the entire article and see a video on timesfreepress.com or look for today’s paper.
Mr. Petty had wanted to kayak the length of the 652-mile Tennessee River for many years, but struggled to find a partner for the trip, said Philip Grymes, the director of Outdoor Chattanooga and a friend of the paddlers. It was not until Mr. Akridge, an employee at Rock/Creek Outfitters, called Mr. Grymes looking for a partner to paddle the entire river that the idea took off, Mr. Grymes said.
After months of planning with the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Army Corps of Engineers, the trip launched where the Holston and French Broad rivers converge east of Knoxville, Mr. Petty said.
They
Peter Chesnutt says
I am also planning a “short” trip from Knoxville to Chattanooga. If possible i would like to speak with Mr. Akridge. Can he contact me at his earliest convenience?
Jeff Bartlett says
Andrew no longer works for Rock/Creek, and I don’t have any contact information for him — perhaps he’ll see this post?