On April 15, 12 members of the Friends of the Appomattox River paddled kayaks and canoes along the Slate River. Traveling between banks of Virginia Bluebells, many birds were sighted, including a bald eagle, and a deer crossed the river in front of some of the boats. The Friends of the Appomattox schedule several field trips each year as well as sponsoring programs, stewardship projects and social events. Pictured are, from left, Lee Woodruff, Spencer Adams, Jeff Wise, Bill Shear, Louisa Blair, Ed Wise, Cindy Watson, Marianne Dennison, Tom Dennison, Phil Bailey, Ron Heinemann and Bobby Hurt.