CLUB MEETINGS ARE HELD THE FIRST TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH (Excluding December, January and February) AT THE

5 RIVERS DELTA RESOURCE CENTER (map) AT 7PM. SEE THE POSTS BELOW FOR MORE DETAILS!

To post information to this website or for further information about this website, just ask Tracy at tracy@thelannies.us
Current Club Coordinator: Tracy Lannie
MBCKC would like to express our appreciation to 5 Rivers and it's staff for all they do.

Disclaimer: This site provides general information & links on topics of paddling. Paddlesports can pose serious risks of damage to personal property & serious bodily injury including permanent disability & death. Anyone participanting in any MBCKC event or participating in any event mentioned on this website does so at their own risk and agrees to hold MBCKC harmless from any liability as a result of such participation or use of information contained herein.

Wednesday, June 29, 2005

Main Pass Energy Hub LNG Deepwater Port Public Meeting

Date: July 18, 2005
Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM, preceeded by an informational open house from 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Place: St. Elmo Community Center, 11610 Highway 90 West, Grand Bay, AL
Phone: 251-865-4010

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement is available for viewing at: http://dms.dot.gov under docket number 17696, to assist in the evaluation of a license for the proposed deepwater port, to be located 16 miles offshore, southeast of Venice, LA. The Coast Guard and the Maritime Administration are requesting public comments on the DEIS.

They invite you to learn about the proposed deepwater port at the informational open house, and to comment at the public meeting on the proposed action and the evaluation contained in the DEIS. Please notify the Coast Guard, Randy Bachman, telephone: 202-267-1752 or email: rbachman@comdt.uscg.mil to be added to the docket, if you wish to speak at the public meeting.

Freeport-McMoRan Energy LLC plans to build two new platforms to support Liquified Natural Gas storage tanks and a berthing system to berth the LNG carriers, ranging in capacity between 60,000 and 160,000 cubic meters. LNG would be stored in six tanks located on two new fixed platforms in a water depth of approximately 210 feet. The proposed location is a former sulphur mining facility and will utilize four existing platforms. The proposed project would sit atop a salt dome, approximately two miles in diameter. An on-site total gas storage capacity of approximately 28 billion cubic feet would be provided in three salt caverns to be constructed under the deepwater port. The facility would have living quarters to routinely accommodate up to 50 personnel.

FME proposes the installation of approximately 192 miles of natural gas and natural gas liquid pipelines on the Outer Continental Shelf, varying in size ranging from 12 to 36 inches in diameter. Five proposed pipelines would connect the deepwater port with several existing gas distribution pipelines, one of which would connect with a gas distritution pipeline near Coden, AL.

The onshore portion of this project shoreward of the mean high water line falls under the jurisdition of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and must receive a separate authorization from the FERC. They are also seeking comments. I have the addresses if you wish to comment.

There are severe potential environmental impacts due to installation of the pipeline as well as contamination from leaks and the tremendous amount of water sterilized and marine life destroyed, as it is used to heat the LNG.

Let me know if you have any questions or need more information regarding attending or speaking at the public meeting.

I also just received a hard copy two-volume set of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and will bring it to the July meeting for anyone interested to look through.

Tuesday, June 28, 2005

Annual Glorious Fourth Paddle

Date: July 4, 2005
Location: Fairhope Yacht Club to the Fairhope Municipal Pier, and back.
Time: 7:00 PM: eat potluck/heavy appetizers; around 8:00 PM, begin paddling to Fairhope Municipal Pier
Bring: potluck/appetizers to share (if desired); light (use after dark); PFD, consider a small anchor or line to tether with; extras: drinks, binoculars (to watch the Mobile & Daphne fireworks).
Route: We will paddle to and from the sandbar at the pier, hugging the ends of the piers on the beach, where power boats do not cruise.
Lever of Paddle: beginner friendly, but beware of the weather.

The fireworks display at the pier is spectacular, when viewed from underneath. This is a relatively short and safe paddle, but conditions can deteriorate should a storm approach. We will always be in about waist deep water, with the shore close at hand, if needed. Stay with a partner, or buddy. We will depart as a group after the display, however it is difficult to see others in the dark and some people leave early. It would be good to notify me, Gene Boothe, if you leave early. Power boats normally do not come in close to shore, unless docking. There have been no problems in the past, but as with all paddles, paddlers need to determine the safeness and appropriateness of the paddle for themselves.

Friday, June 24, 2005

FLASH - JUNIPER CREEK PADDLE - JULY 2, 2005
Juniper Creek, Milton, FL

Date: Saturday, July 2, 2005
Time: 9:30 AM
Place: Meet at the Subway/gas station on the corner of Rt. 191 and 87 in Milton.
Directions: Take I-10 to the first Milton/Garcon Point exit. This is the first exit after the single lane Pensacola bridge. Go left/north a few miles to route 90. Go east/right on rt. 90 until intersection of 90/87 in Milton. Go north/left and a short distance on the right will be the intersection of 87/191 and the subway/gas station. We will caravan to the take-out and set up the shuttle to the put-in.
Contact: Gary Worob 850-259-9337 (cell)
Comments: We will drive to take out at Indian Ford Road and load equipment from vehicles to main vehicles and drive to put-in. If you are early, your vehicle will be at the take-out when you get there. Don't be late to the meeting spot. Trip time will be from 3-5 hours depending on your speed. Bring: sunscreen, lunch and plenty to drink, something to share, we all love that, swimming things and something to paddle as well as a paddle, friends, family and perhaps a hat. Last year we had inflatable kayaks. I would not recommend this again, at least the very inexpensive kind. It is a long walk if your boat deflates.
Trip skill level: this is easy to moderate with some twisting in the upper section depending on water levels. The scenery and river are dynamic with white sandy bottom, clear water and white beaches along most of the river. This is a real great swimming and paddling adventure.
Make sure to call Gary Saturday AM before you drive over to make sure the trip is still on.

Monday, June 20, 2005

!!!!FLASH PADDLE!!!! - HORN ISLAND OVERNIGHT

Date: June 25-26, 2005
Time: leave at 5:30-6:00 AM on Saturday morning
Place: Belle Fountain Point, Ocean Springs, MS
Contact: Trip Leader - Tom Meyer twmeyer@bellsouth.net or (251) 680-4445
(I'll have my cell on until we put in the water)
Comments: Please contact Tom if you have questions or plan to go. Weather and sea state will be a deciding factor and a last minute cancel is possible. Tom can't contact you if he doesn't know you're coming.

This is a Big-Boy open water trip for advanced and intermediate paddlers with self rescue, navigation, and primitive camping skills. Effort required should be moderate unless unexpected wind and sea conditions occur. Spray skirt is highly recommended, if not essential. Paddlers should plan to confront significant sun and insect exposure. Bring a minimum of 2 gallons of hydration fluids per person. Plan to bring no less than sufficient food for breakfast lunch, dinner, snacks. Bring a light for visibility in case we are on the water at night.

Drive over to Ocean Springs, MS Friday night. Dinner at local venue of choice.

Camp at the campground in NPS Davis Bayou Gulf Islands National Seashore unit in Ocean Springs (go to http://www.nps.gov/guis/extended/MIS/MDrction/Dirctn.htm for directions). There is a $14/campsite fee with two tents and a maximum of six persons allowed per campsite.

Plan on EARLY start to beat the heat. Latest start at 1st light (5:30-6:00 AM). Consider earlier start, since there will be substantial moonlight.

Put in will be at Belle Fountain Point just east of Ocean Springs MS (go to http://www.bayouhaystackers.com/TrpsFrame.htm and click on Horn Island for directions (starting from Exit 57 off I-10)). If you look at a map, this will be at the point where Horn Island is closest to the mainland (approximately 6 miles). This is a public access beach area marked by a large water tank that appears to be a light house.

Paddle due south approximately 6 miles over open water to Horn Island (2.5-3 hrs).
Locate campsite and set-up, spend day exploring. Spend night on Horn Island. Plan on early start for return paddle to mainland. Breakfast or lunch at local venue of choice.

Friday, June 17, 2005

GOOD NEWS FOR GRAND BAY - AT LEAST FOR NOW

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently announced Duncan Oil has withdrawn their permit request to dredge an access channel and drill a natural gas well in Grand Bay, Mobile County, Alabama. About two weeks ago, Duncan's consultant re-surveyed the proposed access channel and well site. This survey revealed that as a result of Hurricane Ivan, the access channel had become much more shallow and the shallow water area had been colonized by submerged aquatic vegetation, an important fishery habitat. Since the conditions changed, the application was withdrawn and they will investigate an alternative approach for drilling a well in their lease area.

So, at least for the near term, there will be no drilling. If and when Duncan resubmits an application for a permit to drill, the USCOE will notify us, allowing time for public comment again.
FLASH - NEW DETAILS ADDED FOR SUNDAY MOONLIGHT PADDLE

Click here for all the details listed in the June Calendar for this Sunday evening paddle and potluck at Blakeley State Park. Don't miss it!

Thursday, June 16, 2005

In Honor of Larry McDuff and his love and stewardship of the earth, sea and heavens and all living things, Tom Meyer brought us Fire in the Web, a beautiful and hauntingly insightful and inspiring poem found in the Link MBCAKC Prose and Poetry.

Wednesday, June 15, 2005

FLASH PADDLE - DAUPHIN ISLAND TO SAND ISLAND

Date: June 19, 2005.
Depart Time: 8:00 AM (In water & beginning the paddle). It is an early launch to avoid the heat of the afternoon.
Return Time: Noon (approx).
Launch Site: Protected waters by the rock jetties, far east end, south side. (Drive east on Bienville Blvd until it ends in a small parking lot).
Take-Out Site: Same as Launch Site.
Restrooms: None at launch site.
Launch Cost: Free.
Trip Distance: Approx 8 miles.
Trip Route: South to Sand Island, take a break for individual activities, then go along the north side of Sand Island to the northern tip, take another break, then cross to Dauphin Island near the Pier, then east along the south side of Dauphin Island back to the launch site. (A triangular loop). Route subject to last minute change based on weather and sea conditions at trip time.
Trip Speed: Leisurely 2.5 to 3 mph.
Recommended Paddler Level: Must be experienced in self rescue.
Food/Snacks: Bring enough snacks to fuel your needs, with plenty of fluids for hydration.
Gear: Standard safety gear which includes: paddle float, pump, spray skirt (for sit-in kayaks), and life vest. Other items to bring would be sunglasses (polarized), hat, sunscreen, & insect repellent, etc.
Options: Bring a bathing suit and go swimming. Bring a fishing pole and cast a few times for fish. Bring binoculars to see birds up close - they are currently nesting and are a bit aggressive. Bring a towel and lay out on the beach. Bring a storage bag and go shell hunting. Bring a camera and take photos.
Replenishment Activities: Lunch at the Seafood Galley.
Leader: Rob Nykvist
Contact Numbers: 460-4646 423-0015
Email: kayaker@mchsi.com
Big Boy Paddle to Middle Bay Lighthouse
Celebration in Memory of Larry McDuff - Trip Report

Gary and I wrote a few thoughts about our paddle today which are now posted at MBCAKC Trip Reports/

Tuesday, June 14, 2005

FLASH PADDLE -
BIG BOY PADDLE TO MIDDLE BAY LIGHTHOUSE

Date: Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Time: 6:00 AM
Place: Meet at the small marina just north of the Marriott at Point Clear. Take Scenic 98 south out of Fairhope, AL
Contact: Brint Adams 583-9919
Comments: In fond memory of Larry McDuff, we are scheduling the original Big Boy Paddle, just as Larry would have loved to lead. In fact, Larry and I talked last Tuesday night about having him organize and lead a trip to Middle Bay later this month. So, this trip is just following through with his promise to do so. Larry will be in our thoughts, leading us on a safe and enjoyable trip.
This approximate 12 mile round trip is suitable for intermediate and above paddlers.
Services for Larry McDuff - Thursday, June 16, 2005

Funeral services for Larry will be held at:

St Paul's Episcopal Church - Eastern Shore
28788 N. Main St
Daphne, AL 36526
251-626-2421

1:30 PM - Visitation
2:30 PM - Funeral Service
4:00 PM - Graveside at Montrose Cemetary

Out of town friends and family are invited to Larry's house following the burial service in the Montrose Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to:

St Paul's Episcopal Church - Eastern Shore

or to:

Ecumenical Ministries
P.O. Box 1103
Fairhope, AL 36533

Larry's family can be reached at (251) 928-1582 or margaretmcdufflewis@yahoo.com

Monday, June 13, 2005

CANDLELIGHT VIGIL FOR LARRY MCDUFF AT SUNSET ON THE BEACH AT FYC

Following the tragic death today of Larry McDuff, a first gathering will take place tonight at the Fairhope Yacht Club beach overlooking Mobile Bay. The candlelight vigil will start at 7:30 PM. All other funeral arrangements and memorials are being planned and will be announced as soon as they are confirmed.

Saturday, June 11, 2005

!!!!FLASH - JUNIPER CREEK PADDLE CANCELLED!!!!!

After a sleepless night and much hand-wringing, Gary decided to cancel the Juniper Creek paddle for Sunday, June 12, 2005. Stay tuned for a possible new date.

Friday, June 10, 2005

!!!!!FLASH - DOG PADDLE EVENTS CANCELLED!!!!!

The Dog Paddle Kayak Races previously scheduled for Saturday, June 11, 2005 are cancelled until further notice. At present, the event is rescheduled for June 25, 2005, same time and place. Have a safe weekend.

Wednesday, June 08, 2005

June Club Calendar

KAYAK & SNORKEL FIELD TRIP for the Southern Association of Marine Educators & the Environmental Education Association of Alabama. We will paddle on Econfina Creek, Chipola River, Holmes Creek and Seven Runs Creek all north of Panama City, FL
Date: June 10 - 12, 2005
Time: Noon on Friday through Sunday afternoon
For more details, click here

4th ANNUAL DOG PADDLE, LUSCHER PARK, MOBILE, AL
Saturday, June 25, 2005 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM
For more details, click here

Paddle and Camp in the Delta
Date: June 11-12, 2005
Time: 9:00 AM
Place: Meet at Stagecoach Inn in Stockton, AL, will caravan to French's Landing.
Contact: Mark Vance - 251-458-7574
Comments: Mark will lead a group from the West Florida club and any others on a paddle around the delta. The campsite on a sandbar, is about 6 miles away. So, you may return to French's that afternoon and not camp. On Sunday, the paddle will be about 10 miles and take out at a different location.

Juniper Creek, Milton, FL
Date: Sunday, June 12, 2005
Time: 9:30 AM
Place: Meet at the Subway/gas station on the corner of Rt. 191 and 87 in Milton.
Directions: Take I-10 to the first Milton/Garcon Point exit. This is the first exit after the single lane Pensacola bridge. Go left/north a few miles to route 90. Go east/right on rt. 90 until intersection of 90/87 in Milton. Go north/left and a short distance on the right will be the intersection of 87/191 and the subway/gas station. We will caravan to the take-out and set up the shuttle to the put-in.
Contact: Gary Worob 850-259-9337 (cell) or gworob@yahoo.com
Comments: We will drive to take out at Indian Ford Road and load equipment from vehicles to main vehicles and drive to put-in. If you are early, your vehicle will be at the take-out when you get there. Don't be late to the meeting spot. Trip time will be from 3-5 hours depending on your speed. Bring: sunscreen, lunch and plenty to drink, something to share, we all love that, swimming things and something to paddle as well as a paddle, friends, family and perhaps a hat. Last year we had inflatable kayaks. I would not recommend this again, at least the very inexpensive kind. It is a long walk if your boat deflates. Trip skill level: this is easy to moderate with some twisting in the upper section depending on water levels. The scenery and river are dynamic with white sandy bottom, clear water and white beaches along most of the river. This is a real great swimming and paddling adventure.
Make sure to call Gary Sunday AM before you drive over to make sure the trip is still on, due to possible thunderstorms this weekend.

Fish River, Fairhope, AL
Date: Friday, June 17, 2005
Time: TBA
Place: TBA
Contact: Carolyn 251-928-1107
Comments: This will be a beginner-friendly ladies-only paddle. Call Carolyn to sign up and get all of the details.

Grandman Triathlon, Fairhope, AL
Date: Saturday, June 18, 2005
Time: 6:30 AM
Place: meet at the FYC and paddle over to the course at the Fairhope Municipal Pier
Contact: Harriet Ingraham
Comments: Call Harriet if you are interested in volunteering to monitor the swim course for the triathlon. She will lead the group and get you located in position.

Full Moon Paddle - Blakeley State Park
Date: Sunday, June 19, 2005
Time: 6:00 PM
Place: Meet at Buzbee's on Hwy 225
Contact: Bob Andrews 251-367-4144
Comments: Be prepared for a 10 mile roundtrip from Buzbee's up the Blakely and Apalachee Rivers to Blakeley State Park for a sunset potluck. Bring a flashlight for the return, PFD, lots of fluids for the trip and a potluck dish, plate, fork, cup and drinks to share up at the shelter looking out over the Tensaw River. It should be an unforgettable evening!

Johnson's Beach, FL - CANCELLED
Date: June 24-25, 2005
Time: 5:00 PM
Contact: Directions: Put in at Big Lagoon State Park
Comments: Overnight camping trip, intermediate level paddle due to open water, on a barrier island in the National Seashore system. Will return early Saturday morning.

Ocean Springs Kayak Festival, Ocean Springs, MS
Date: Saturday, June 25, 2005
For details, contact:
PE'RO Guides
1106 B Government St.
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
(228)818-9255

State Games of Mississippi, Bonita Lakes, MS
Date: Saturday, June 25, 2005
Click here for more details.

Fourth of July Celebration, Fairhope, AL
Date: Monday, July 4, 2005
Time: early evening
Place: Fairhope Yacht Club
Contact: Gene Booth
Comments: Come and paddle the 2.5 mile roundtrip to the Fairhope Municipal Pier for the July 4th fireworks and Baldwin County Pops Concert. Bring a dish for a potluck dinner at the FYC gazebo, before we leave at dusk for the pier. Bring a flashlight for the return paddle after dark.

Meeting announcements:

Paul Loeffler with the Eastern Shore American Legion Post #199, Fairhope, AL spoke briefly about their beautiful facilities and beach access to Mobile Bay. He offered very reasonably priced membership applications to anyone interested in joining their organization.

Meeting program:

Deborah Schultz gave an informative presentation on the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program's Paddle Bayou La Fourche. She spoke of the original initiative, history, planning, community involvement and cultural activities involved in their very successful four years of a four day paddle and camping happening on the bayou. Also in attendance were Annie Bergelin with the BTNEP, and David Yeager, Kara Lankford and Lee Yokel with the Mobile Bay NEP. The MBNEP is starting to research the possibilities of organizing a multi-day paddle/camping event somewhere on the delta and bay, to celebrate our local heritage, bring attention to our beautiful waterways and communities and promoting local stewardship to improve them. The MBCAKC is looking into how they could best support the MBNEP in this effort.

Friday, June 03, 2005

**NOTE**

Anyone from Alabama interested in entering the State Games of Mississippi in three weeks, please note the added comments in the June 1 posting below. Contrary to the MS website below, since the State Games of Alabama, called the Alabama Sports Festival, does not contest kayak racing, there is no conflict with the kayak racing events contested in the State Games of Mississippi and MS will allow Alabama residents to enter their kayak events. Just add the clarifying note below.
!!!!!!!!MEETING REMINDER!!!!!!!!

The next meeting of the Mobile Bay Canoe and Kayak Club will be on Tuesday, June 7, 2005 at 7:00 p.m., at the Fairhope Yacht Club. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month, same time, same place. After the usual club business of reporting on and scheduling paddles, Deborah Schultz, Education Coordinator for the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program in Thibodaux, LA will do a presentation on their popular and successful Bayou La Fourche paddling event and provide first hand enlightenment on what it would take to stage a similar event here. Representatives from the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program will also be present.

This should be a very interesting meeting, both to learn more about the next Louisiana event, and for information about how we might help promote a paddling event in the Mobile Bay and lower delta area.

Wednesday, June 01, 2005

Horn Island May See Oil Drilling

Click here to read a 5/31/2005 Los Angeles Times article pertaining to recently signed Federal legislation giving energy companies the right to explore for oil and gas inside the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Mississippi Senator Thad Cochran wrote in an amendment to the emergency military spending bill, giving Mississippi claim to mineral rights under federal lands, permitting seismic sound-wave explosions to locate oil and gas deposits in the park off the Mississippi shoreline.

This is particularly worrisome, since the islands are wilderness areas and home to federally protected fish, birds, sea turtles and bottlenose dolphins. George W. Bush has been pushing aggressively for drilling in protected areas and has been slowly stripping away policies which shelter parks from the ill effects of exploration started outside park boundaries.
KAYAK RACES IN STATE GAMES OF MISSISSIPPI


State Games of Mississippi
Commissioner: Beverly Henson, 601-485-4401, bevh1952@comcast.net
Date: Saturday, June 25, 2005
Time: Races begin at 1 p.m.
Site: Bonita Lakes (upper lake)
Entry Fee: $25; one event, per person/$35; two events, per person
Only 1 T-shirt per person
Deadline: Postmarked by June 17
Late/Day of Entries: Accepted w/additional $5 up to 30 minutes prior, if space available.T-shirt size not guaranteed.
Events: Olympic Sprint (500M) Long Course (3 Laps) Short Course (1 Lap)
http://www.stategamesofms.org/
You do not need to be a resident of Mississippi to enter. I spoke with the MS Games Sports Director, who suggested noting on the registration form, "No Kayak Racing in Alabama Sports Festival." This will allow the MS Games to let Alabama residents enter their games.