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[<eureka AT hctc.net>]

Hope someone will direct us to some online pictures of 
this. How widespread is this 'sport' practiced?

Here, where rain is almost non-existant (although we are 
having some today) it's hard to get a pumpkin to grow 
larger than one's head even with irrigation. Not only can 
I not imagine growing a pumkin this large, I certainly 
can't imagine paddling one down our rocky rapids. I'm sure 
it makes for some great times!

--Sage

> Yep.  Annual event here in the williwogs.  Cut the top 
> off, usually with 
> a chain saw but the pumpkins are tender this year on 
> account of so much 
> rain, so we'll use the SawzAll on ours.  Peter taped 
> ours yesterday and 
> is figuring about 1400 pounds---that's if it doesn't 
> explode before 
> morning.  I heard at noon today that my neighbor Sam's 
> pumpkin exploded 
> while they were milking, startled everybody.  Probably 
> half or so will 
> explode before they are used, but if it doesn't:  Hollow 
> it out with a 
> hoe and a coal hod, and carefully set it in the 
> Passagasswaukeag River 
> about a quarter mile above the Bay, 'man' it with 2 
> people(hopefully 
> skinny) with shovels for paddles, at least one dog 
> (required), put up 
> your flag, wait for the pistol, and go for the rapids. 
> This is 
> considered an adult activity, mind you; kids have their 
> own races.  Some 
> years none of them make it to the finish line (the 
> footbridge from 
> Belfast to East Belfast).  Hardest part is getting the 
> pumpkin parts out 
> of the river afterward. 
>
> All this, of course, follows the bed races, held in 
> September.
>
> Ya use whatcha got.
>
> Susan Jane