Last year when my husband and I rafted all 149 miles of the French Broad River from Rosman, NC to Newport, TN in 13 days, we were mostly unsupported. We experienced tons of river magic from lovely people, but no one gave us more help than a guy we met in Asheville named “Davewave.”
Davewave and his wife own Asheville Outdoor Center. They offer river trips to anyone wants to enjoy the lovely French Broad River.
We met Davewave when we wandered over from our stop at the Wilson RV Center where we were camping for the night. We’d heard a rumor that the Asheville Outdoor Center had put in a small bar.
Indeed, we found what we were looking for and Davewave served us a cider and a beer. We got talking and explained to him we were rafting the whole river. “No kidding!” he said. “That is so cool. These beers are on the house. What do you guys need?” He asked us that a couple times. Finally, we confessed we needed help with a shuttle between the two lower dams. We had already self-portaged our 800 lbs of gear over and around the first dam and it was a total bitch (excuse my french). The next two dams (only two miles apart) were going to much more difficult (steep on private property…and did I mention there were TWO of them?).
Davewave said immediately, “I got you. What day do you need help, where, and what time? I’ll bring my truck and open trailer.”
With that settled (and with our profuse thanks), he offered to show us around his set up at the center. He showed us some photos, their gear, their awesome patio, and his art.
Oh my gosh. His art.
Davewave is a passionate outdoorsman, but at heart he is an artist. Some of things he’s done with wood and metal would blow your mind. I wish I had photos to share!
As he was talking, he casually mentioned he takes wood from the river for some of his projects. “I don’t know if I should,” he said, almost confessing. “And I don’t know how much is too much.”
Suddenly, I found myself answering, “Just ask. The river just told me that you should ask. It will let you know when you are about to take too much.”
Davewave looked at me with just a little bit of side eye. “Okay,” he said. “I’ll ask.”
And just like that, I learned the rivers will communicate with me. Through me. Sometimes the message is for me. Sometimes it’s meant for someone else.
