Dueling memos: American Whitewater plans to appeal a federal judge’s decision to throw out a lawsuit the Cullowhee-based group brought against the U.S. Forest Service last year, which sought to open the upper Chattooga River to boating.
In 1985 the USFS banned watercraft from the river’s 21-mile headwaters, making it the only river with a federal Wild and Scenic designation off-limits to paddlers. American Whitewater calls the ban “arbitrary” and inconsistent with the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and plans to continue pushing for access. Meanwhile, a group called the Friends of the Upper Chattooga, made up primarily of anglers and conservationists, is cheering the decision. This is arguably the most attention the river has been paid since Burt Reynolds and Ned Beatty drifted it to fearful consequence – and with the accompaniment of a pale banjo prodigy – in the 1972 film Deliverance.
Seoul survivor: Distance-runner Anne Riddle Lundblad of Asheville placed sixth overall in the women’s division at the International Association of Ultra Runners World Cup in Seoul, Korea, held Oct. 8. Lundblad, who was profiled by Molly Malone in this section (“Can Your Mom Do That?” July 12 Xpress) also managed to break the American Masters record and best her previous time by nearly six minutes.
Dorks like us: The Segway debuted in 2001 to international acclaim and predictions it would make walking a thing of the past. The expensive two-wheeled do-hickeys haven’t exactly changed the world (and President Bush, likely, was tempted to declare them “Enemies of Freedom” when he tumbled from one.) If you’re still curious, the N.C. Arboretum is putting a modest fleet of all-terrain Segways to use for “A Glide Through Nature” tours. The glides start at $45 and must be booked ahead of time. Call 665-2493 or visit www.ncarboretum.org.
