-- April Notes & Paddles --
(Please note that Gary Worob's paddle during the second weekend has been cancelled )

Upcoming spring events include the start of a multi-stage circumnavigation of Mobile Bay, kayak polo, and an opportunity to learn/practice simple kayak skills and rescue techniques. Please note that the webmaster will be away for several weeks, so if you are planning an April trip, please take advantage of the Yahoo Group's e-mail message system to announce any paddles you wish to lead. Follow the link and click the Join This Group button on the upper right side of the webpage.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mbcakc/


MBCKC Paddlers requested at Five Rivers Resource Center Ribbon Cutting
Date: Friday, April 13th
Time: 9 AM
Place: Bartrams Landing at the Five Rivers Resource Center on the causeway, first left after you enter the grounds of the Five Rivers Resource Center
Launch Fee: none
Contact: Harriet Ingraham home: 928.4568; cell: 604.3741; hvk1457@aol.com
Length: Short
Directions: Contact Harriet.
Comments: Ribbon cutting of the Five Rivers Resource Center on the Causeway is
Friday, April 13 at 10 am. Any MBCKC paddler who is free is asked to
attend with kayak/canoe - the state has requested our presence. There
is a designated kayak/canoe launch at Bartrams Landing, the first left
after you enter the grounds. We will meet between 9 and 9:15 to launch
our boats from the dock, to paddle to the main buildings for the ribbon
cutting. Please let Harriet know if you are attending, and she will
give you more directions to the launch. If you prefer to launch across
the causeway at Meaher Park, feel free to do so, just schedule your
launch and paddling to allow you time to link with Harriet at least 15
minutes before the ribbon cutting.

The rest of the weekend is the Blues Festival on the causeway, with
Five Rivers and all restaurants participating. Lots of fun and food.

Website: http://www.outdooralabama.com/outdoor-adventures/5rivers/

Kayak Support for the Grandman Triathlon
Date: Saturday, June 2, 2007
Time: at the beach with kayak in the water by 6:30 a.m. - no later than 6:45 a.m. - meet me there so I can stage you in the water.
Place: north side of Fairhope municiple pier
Launch Fee: none
Contact: Harriet Ingraham home: 928.4568; cell: 604.3741; hvk1457@aol.com
Length: no more than a couple miles over the day
Directions: We can't put in at the pier, no cars allowed - so we need to put in at the yacht club or at pier street - both are about 1/2 mile paddle
Comments: It's that time again - the GRANDMAN Triathlon. And, as has become a much appreciated custom, MBCKC has been asked to kayak lifeguard again for the swim part of the event - this will be our 6th year! I need 12-15 kayakers to line the swim course and help direct swimmers on course, and be there to offer a bow or stern for a tired swimmer to hang on to for a few minutes. It's a wonderful hour of assisting, and we are invited to the food and fun after the event. You don't have to be super accomplished, as most of the duties will involve lining the course so swimmers have an eye to the course of swim.
Reward: T-shirt and fun and food and the thanks of the racers.

Website: thegrandman.com - click on race course and then swim.

If you need to renew, or get your first, Eglin Air Force Base Recreation Permit, here is the information. You can obtain the permit by mail (recommended) or you can drive yourself to the Jackson Guard at Eglin and obtain it in person (they will make you watch a movie about unexploded ordnance). Please call the the number listed below to confirm that you enclose everything they need in your request. If you hear anything other than what is posted below, please let me know!

When ordering permits by mail, please allow three weeks for delivery (ed. note, I usually see them in about a week). Send your requests to:

Eglin Air Force Base
Natural Resources Division, ACC/EMSN
107 Highway 85N
Niceville, FL 32578

Specify the number and type of permits desired together with the proper payment and proper identification, or a copy of anything with a date of birth on it, or your old permit. Payment of $10 should be made by money order, certified or cashier's check payable to AFO Eglin AFB, Florida. Personal checks are also accepted, with proper identification.

The Natural Resources Branch of Eglin is open Monday through Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. only. They are closed on Sundays and all Federal Holidays. Information may be obtained by calling Jackson Guard at (850) 882-4164.

Loss of a friend...

MBCKC holds Marilyn Craig in our thoughts with the loss of her daugter, Andi.

March Meeting Confusions:

Sorry to all who showed up at the yacht club for the meeting... due to vehicular problems, our March meeting director couldn't get there. As part of the club had planned to skip the regular meeting for the undersea adventures production in Mobile, communication was dropped and no one showed up to conduct the meeting. The first time in 7 years we've had a glitch like this - don't worry we will be back on regular schedule for the April meeting.

Check back for postings on upcoming paddles. The end of March and the early part of April will bring some fantastic paddles. Fritz and Harriet will for sure be leading a couple during that period - thinking Boiling Creek for one, so make sure you have your pass (click here and scroll down the page for details)

-- March Meeting --

The March meeting will be held at the Fairhope Yacht Club on Tuesday, March 6th at 7pm. (got that? March 6th at 7 not March 7th at 6)

**A few people have indicated that they are planning on attending the Mike DeGruy film at Mobile's Saenger Theatre on the same night. If you find your heart torn between the meeting and the film, there will be an informal gathering at a nearby watering hole following the film to allow you to get your fix of MBCAKC.