Pamlico-Tar Riverkeeper Katey Zimmerman, Water Quality Specialist Taylor Register and Volunteer Coordinator Emily Fritz recently completed the trip of a lifetime — a 12-day, 175-mile kayak trip on the Tar River.

The epic river adventure started in Oxford on Oct. 13 and wrapped up on on the Washington waterfront on Oct. 24. The goal was to explore the river, experience its wildlife and many faces — from Class II rapids to the west and placid, slow-moving water to the east — and document any issues affecting, or potentially affecting, water quality that may not be seen by land.

Along the way, they overnighted in various places: at the Tar-Pamlico Water Trail camping platforms, camping on the Tar River banks in hospitable places, and spent one much-needed, one-night break midway at the Rocky Mount Mills tiny homes.