"And what is so rare as a day in June?
Then, if ever, come perfect days;
Then Heaven tries earth if it be in tune,
And over it softly her warm ear lays;
Whether we look, or whether we listen,
We hear life murmur, or see it glisten;"
-Lowell

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Canoeing the James River is a most do for all Virginians, particularly during the summer. There are many beautiful sections along America's Founding River. Sometimes it's hard to decide which one to hit. We picked a familiar one this past weekend and it was a near perfect day to be on the water.

The Scottsville to Hardware River W.M.A. is an excellent 5.8 mile float. There are good ramps at both ends. The upper part of the float consists of long, calm pools and the lower section finishes around some cool islands. For everyone in the Central VA region, put it on your list.

You can see the put-in from the bridge coming into Scottsville from the south on Rt 20. And below you'll see a map of the shuttle run. You can reach the Hardware WMA ramp by following the signs off RT. 6. You can find more James River Float Maps here.

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Shuttle - The car shuffling logistics that ensures you have one car at the put-in and one at the take-out. Make sure the one at the take-out is the bigger of the two, so you can shuttle all the boats and people back to the put-in.

Speaking of shuttles, this trip marked the first time "No Shuttle" Taylor aka Bob Taylor, ARC owner, would be back in a canoe and on the river since his shoulder surgery last year. He earned that playful nickname for his ability to always catch rides back to the put-in, therefore eliminating his need to run shuttle. Or as my wife likes to put it, Papa is skilled in the ways of river culture. And he hasn't missed a paddle stroke. My wife and I marveled at how effortlessly he piloted that canoe and stayed out ahead of us. We still have a lot to learn.

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That's my oldest, 3yr. old MLV, sitting between her grandparents. This was her second trip with her new Bending Branches Twig paddle and she got to learn from her Maa and Papa who have 40+ years of experience paddling together. Pretty cool stuff right there.

The great thing about most of the James River floats are the abundant opportunities to get out and stretch your legs, swim and have lunch. On the Scottsville To Hardware section you'll find a sweet shallow section on the left side of the first big island. It's shaded by trees and offers a good rock bed to stop and play upon. It's a good chance to get the kids in the water.

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My youngest, 1.5 yr. old EBV, enjoyed swimming in the shallows.

There is no better place for a family to connect, amidst this fast paced digital world, than in the outdoors. Family river trips are gold when it comes to making lasting memories, and summer river trips have a special kind of magic. Here's MLV getting some river schooling from her Papa. From one adventurer to another.

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A little further down in the islands to the right, you'll come across some small rock beaches. These are good spots for camping or just hanging out and having lunch. We stopped for just that reason.

"No Shuttle" Taylor sitting in a familiar spot, alongside the James River.

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There are lots of things to be proud of growing up a military brat. But I secretly yearned for a stronger sense of place. So many great writers that I admire have it. I've got two big boxes of photos I use for Throwback Thursdays and I often come across old family photos of my wife, her sister and her mother swimming in the James on canoe trips. It was pretty neat to look out on our trip and see my girls swimming with their mother and grandmother. That sense of place is being passed down to my kids.

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The James River also has lots of smallmouth bass. Smallies are pound for pound some of the fiercest fighters. Throw spinners and tubes, drift plastic worms over holes, etc and you're virtually guaranteed to catch a few. Even the small ones are fun. Nothing gets your kids psyched like seeing a fish.

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**There are a few ripples on this stretch, nothing very alarming, but be aware of rocks. Nothing capsizes a canoe faster than getting stuck or getting knocked off balance by a rock. When you hit the islands stick to the middle path and you'll avoid the majority of the ripples.

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We are in the thick of summer and the James River is a beautiful place to enjoy the season. Get out there! If you have kids and are hesitate, visit my Tips for Canoeing With Kids. Combine that with this brief trip report and directions for the Scottsville to Hardware float and you're ready to hit the water.

Of course if you do not have a canoe or kayaks, you can rent from some of the companies along the James in the area like James River Reeling and Rafting or James River Runners. Then after you've fallen in love with the Virginia scenery and the communion of the river, you can visit us at www.paddleva.com and shop for a canoe of your own. After all, once you own a canoe, the world around you opens up with fantastic opportunities to explore your surroundings. Virginia is a beautiful state. Go PaddleVa!

Quick Gear Tips:

1) Get some good paddles like the Bending Branches sticks. A good paddle makes a big difference.

2) Invest in some quality river shoes. My wife and I sport Astral shoes. Astral designs footwear that is highly functional and is stylish enough to hit the beer garden for a post-paddle beverage. They drain and dry quick!

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3) The Nemo Helio Pressure Shower. I just started using this thing and it's pretty sweet. You pressurize the water pod and then spray away with the nozzle. No need to elevate it. I used it to spray down my girls after the river trip. It was awesome.

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4) Most importantly. A good canoe. A good canoe will last you for decades. We have one of the best selections of canoes available. Why? Because we believe in the good that a great canoe can bring to the world. Appomattox River Company started in 1977, selling canoes.

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