May Club Calendar and other notes...(there is a lot here)

We still need paddlers to assist at the Grandman Triathlon, free t-shirt involved...contact Harriet Ingraham at hvk1457@aol.com

BLUZ CRUZ KAYAK RACE RESULTS:

• Julie - 1st Place in 16ft and under with a time of 2h 59m 2s
• Roland - 1st Place in 17ft and under plastic boats...also first Australian across the line
• Brint - 3rd Overall with a time of 2h 17m
• Dick and Marylin - 1st place in mixed/tandem

The consenus was that this was a great race; a lot of fun, and a great beginners race too. If I missed anyone's race results last night, please let me know and I will post!

The wooden boat built by the Organic School will be on display and available by auction at this Friday's Art Walk...make sure you stop by to check it out!

Looking for water hyacinth, goldfish, duck weed, sunfish, frogs, turtles, papyrus, or anything else to put in a pond/pool, etc? Shoot an e-mail to ersmoore@bellsouth.net ...everything living/swimming in a 20x30ft pond must go before moving day on May 21st.

still with me? ok...

May Club Calendar

Club May Picnic and Paddle
Date: Saturday, May 6, 2006
Time: 3:00 PM into the evening
Place: Gary & Aven Warner's place on Dog River
Directions: Call Aven and Gary for directions to their house 251.473.1819

Comments: PLEASE RSVP TO AVEN (251)473-1819 to get a headcount and to let her know what you will bring for the potluck dinner, which will start at 6/6:30 PM. Bring your own beverages of choice.

The paddle will start at 3:00 PM and go into a nearby bayou, lasting for 1-2 hours or so, with other options for those who want to paddle a little longer. The paddle will be leisurely and most suitable for beginners with any kind of kayak or canoe.
This will be a great outing to meet your fellow club members and will be well attended, so make plans to come and call Aven and Gary, or you won't know how to get there!!!!

Wooden Boat Show Paddle (make sure to hit the show beforehand)
Date: Sunday, May 7, 2006
Time: 2:00 PM
Contact: delkers@bellsouth.net
Place: Pirates's Cove
Directions: check back soon...

Full Moon Paddle
Date: Saturday, May 13th
Time: TBA
Contact: Bob Andrews (251) 367-4144
Place: TBA


Evening Paddles on a Weeknight
Date: various, TBA


River Cleanup with the West Florida Canoe Club
Date: late-May
Check their website for details as they become available:
http://members.cox.net/wflccweb/index.html

****UPDATED INFORMATION****

MAY MONTHLY MEETING AT FAIRHOPE YACHT CLUB - BOATHOUSE BUILDING AND A MAY PICNIC & PADDLE...

The next meeting of the Mobile Bay Canoe and Kayak Club will be on Tuesday, May 2nd, 2006 at 7:00 p.m., at the Fairhope Yacht Club. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month, same time, same place. When you drive down the hill to the bay, take the last turn left into the parking lot, to the boathouse building.

Bob is putting together a slideshow presentation for this meeting...should be a good one!

HATS ARE IN....COME TO THE MEETING TO GET YOURS!

Club May Picnic and Paddle
Date: Saturday, May 6, 2006
Time: 3:00 PM into the evening
Place: Gary & Aven Warner's place on Dog River
Directions: Call Aven and Gary for directions to their house 251.473.1819

Comments: PLEASE RSVP TO AVEN (251)473-1819 to get a headcount and to let her know what you will bring for the potluck dinner, which will start at 6/6:30 PM. Bring your own beverages of choice.

The paddle will start at 3:00 PM and go into a nearby bayou, lasting for 1-2 hours or so, with other options for those who want to paddle a little longer. The paddle will be leisurely and most suitable for beginners with any kind of kayak or canoe.
This will be a great outing to meet your fellow club members and will be well attended, so make plans to come and call Aven and Gary, or you won't know how to get there!!!!

***UPDATE*** Boiling Creek Addicts...

Date: Saturday, April 22nd

Contact: Tony Dockery (anthonydockery@yahoo.com) or Harriet/Fritz Ingraham - hvk1457@aol.com - 928.4568 home - 604.3741 cell

Meet at 9 am at Wilcox Exit on I-10 OR if coming from another direction meet at Yellow River Take Out at 9:30 am(Directions: Take I-10 to exit 31 in Florida, which is Hwy 87 south, the last Milton exit going east, and travel south for several miles until you cross the Yellow River bridge (can't miss it) immediately on left is parking lot) - we may be a couple minutes late depending on traffic, just wait for us there. Shuttle required, all need to be at this Yellow River location to arrange shuttle.

Come and have fun on beautiful Boiling Creek on the Eglin AFB. Make sure you bring your Eglin recreation permit and other ID. We will stop for lunch along the way, so bring the usual food, fluids, sunscreen, jacket, etc. for a few hours of fun in paradise. Plans are to paddle up a couple miles from the put-in, then paddle back down with the current. Should be a wonderful day with full spring bloom in process.

***FLASH*** Help Required for Mulletman Triathlon

Mulletman Triathlon needs help on Sat, April 22. Helpers will get a tee shirt, 2 beers, and red beans and rice. Barbara Barnes is the Race Director for the Mulletman Triathlon at the FloraBama. She needs folks in kayaks to travel with the swimmers. Call 251-269-1477 or e-mail pearl1@gulftel.com. Race time is 7am to 8:30am.

***FLASH*** EASTER SUNRISE PADDLE

Easter Sunday Sunrise Paddle - 6AM
Meet at very north end of the Fairhope Pier Public Beach at the duck pond. We will paddle out into the Bay for the Easter Sunrise Service at the Pier which begins at 6:30AM.

Contace Gene Boothe at 421-7826

(Weather from the webmaster: low temperature tonight is supposed to be 65F. Winds will build from the SW at about 10-15kts, but should be relatively gentle that early in the morning)

There is a trip report posted for last weeks McVoy Lake paddle (same as McVeigh Lake), and a new canoe for sale...hurry, I bet it goes quick. Please let me know if you have plans to lead a paddle this weekend, and stay tuned for info about next week's paddles!

April Club Calendar and other notes...

For those of you who were unable to make last nights meeting, Brint is passing on the website torch to me as he gets ready to move on to a new job in Orlando this summer. If you have any questions about the website, please e-mail me at out2sea03@hotmail.com...as soon as I figure out how to change the e-mail over on the right side of the page, I will do so. Harriet will be placing the order for club hats sometime today and they should be here well ahead of next months club meeting! And finally, please start looking ahead to late-April and May and consider leading a paddle...especially if you have found somewhere new to paddle!
-Ian Brosnan

Up Boiling Creek (with a paddle)

Date: Saturday, April 8th
Time: TBA (mid-morning sometime)
Place: TBA
Contact: Bob Andrews 251-367-4144
Comments: The plan is to paddle upstream in Boiling Creek, with a possible side trip up Little Boiling Creek before returning to the put-in site. Bring lunch and drinks, and don't forget your Eglin AFB Recreation Permit!

McVeigh Lake

Date: Sunday, April 9th
Time: 1pm
Place: Meet at Bruno's in Spanish Fort
Contact: Harriet Ingraham
phone: 251-928-4568
email: hvk1457@aol.com
Comments: This should be a relaxed paddle...if you haven't been to McVeigh Lake, you should definitely make this paddle!

Boiling Creek

Date: Saturday, April 22nd or Sunday, April 23rd
Time: TBA
Place: TBA
Comments: Tony will be leading this trip, more details to follow... and don't forget your Eglin AFB Recreation Permit!

BluzCruz Kayak Race

Date: Saturday, April 22, 2006
Contact: BluzCruz
Comments: This looks like a great race, with a good cause attached, and a number of members are planning on competing so you won't be alone out there...WEAR YOUR CLUB HATS!

Excerpt from their website:

The BluzCruz Marathon is a 22-mile charity race for competitive and recreational canoeists, and kayakers along the Mississippi River. No running shoes required! The event will start at Madison Parish Port just north of Tallulah, Louisiana, and finish at Vicksburg Front, Vicksburg, Mississippi. The Marathon will have multiple canoe and kayak classes for competitive and recreational paddlers and is aimed at families and friends wanting to enjoy a safe paddling experience, as well as camaraderie with others who enjoy the great sport of paddling.

Our Charity Partner is the Service Over Self Organization (SOS), a youth based Christian group that helps less privileged families in our community with needed home repairs. The BluzCruz Committee is a volunteer, non-profit group. This event provides a way for these volunteers to give back to the community, and support a worthy cause, while promoting health and excellence through the sport of paddling.

The Race will be held in conjunction with Vicksburg Riverfest. Vicksburg Riverfest festivities include a Friday night street party, Saturday Arts and Craft Show, and then back in the street Saturday night for music and fun for the entire family. Other sites to see: the Vicksburg National Military Park, Old Court House Museum, Riverfront Murals, historic homes, casinos and much more.

Grandman Triathlon, Fairhope Municipal Pier
June 3, 2006 7:00 AM - arrive by 6:30 AM

MBCAKC has been the team of kayak lifeguards since the triathlon began several years ago. Harriet Ingraham - 928.4568; hvk1457@aol.com is the kayak coordinator for this event. 10-15 kayakers are needed to line the swim race course, keeping swimmers on path and aiding tired swimmers who need a rest. Kayakers need to be in the water at the Fairhope Pier between 6:30 AM and 6:45 AM - after connecting with Harriet about positioning for the race. Please contact Harriet if you would like to volunteer. We, and Mobile Bay Watch received numerous positive comments about the MBCAKC presence last year and how secure all the swimmers felt by having us participate.

Fifth Annual Dog Paddle Race scheduled for June 10, 2006

The Fifth Annual Dog Paddle Race is set for June 10, 2006 from 8 AM until 1 PM, at Luscher / Navco Park. Located off Navco Road on Dog River in Mobile, Alabama. The event will include kayak, canoe, and rowboat races. The races will allow all racers experienced or otherwise a chance at stretching their arms. This year, the racing events will include:

Men's 1-mile at 8:30 AM
Women's 1-mile at 9:15 AM
Junior's (under 14) ½-mile at 10 AM
Parent-child's ½-mile at 10:30 AM
Novice ½-mile 11 AM
Open Division 2-miles at 11:30 AM

The $20 entry fee for adults and the $10 entry fee for students (with student identification) will include entry to any and all eligible races the entrant wishes to enter and one t-shirt. Spectators who wish to just observe, will have the experience of watching the race, enjoying good company, and lots of fun at Mobile's only public access to Dog River. A limited number of kayaks will be available for entrants who do not have the proper watercraft to use during races, or to just try out. The kayaks will be distributed on a first-come first-serve basis. All proceeds from the Dog Paddle will go to Dog River Clearwater Revival. Profits will be used to support activities that promote the improvement of water quality in Dog River. Registration forms are available at Sunshine Canoe Rental, Michelle's, McCoy Outdoor, Blankenship's Universal Hardware, Boat US, Wigmans and local sporting and boating outlets. In the event of rain, the event will be held on the following day, June 11th, 2006. For more information call 510-0430 or follow the hyperlink at the following Web site:http://dogriver.southalabama.edu/

APRIL MONTHLY MEETING AT FAIRHOPE YACHT CLUB - BOATHOUSE BUILDING

The next meeting of the Mobile Bay Canoe and Kayak Club will be on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 at 7:00 p.m., at the Fairhope Yacht Club. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month, same time, same place. When you drive down the hill to the bay, take the last turn left into the parking lot, to the boathouse building.

***FLASH*** Hurst Hammock on Perdido River

Please note 8:30 AM time correction for the start or meeting time for the Perdido River paddle set for tomorrow, March 31, 2006. Other than some early morning fog, the weather looks good for excellent paddling tomorrow.

*****FLASH PADDLE*****

We are going to paddle on Boiling Creek Saturday, March 25 after all. There just will not be all of the other activities such as camping and mountain bike riding over the whole weekend that was originally planned. The full weekend affair will be rescheduled for mid-April.

So, here we go again...

Date: Saturday, March 25, 2006
Time: 9:30 AM
Place: Yellow River bridge parking lot
Directions: Take I-10 to exit 31 in Florida, which is Hwy 87 south, the last Milton exit going east, and travel south for several miles until you cross the Yellow River bridge (can't miss it) immediately on left is parking lot.
Contact: Brint Adams - 251-583-9919
Comments: Come and have fun on beautiful Boiling Creek on the Eglin AFB. Make sure you bring your Eglin recreation permit and other ID. We will stop for lunch along the way, so bring the usual food, fluids, sunscreen, jacket, etc. for a few hours of fun in paradise.

*****NOTICE*****

Check out the updates to the remainder of the March Club Calendar below. The camping trip this weekend (March 25 & 26) to Grassy Point has been postponed to mid-April. There will be a paddle on Boiling Creek on March 25, meet at the Yellow River bridge parking lot by no later than 9:30 AM. Please watch for new details once they are confirmed.

BACK BY SPECIAL REQUEST - MBCKC CLUB HATS:

Special order only (People MUST contact me with their order). Cost for the hats will be $7.25 each. I prefer to have the money before I order. Checks MUST be made out to me, Harriet Ingraham, NOT MBCKC (as we have no treasury or banking account). I can be reached at email address or home phone. I will be placing the order immediately after the April 4th club meeting, delivery will be back to me sometime in mid-April, with distribution to follow. You must contact me by phone or email to place your order, at which time I will give you my address.

NOTE: COLOR SELECTION: click here to see all colors
I must place orders in multiples of 12 per color. Colors to choose from are Tangerine, Mustard (2 more visable and popular club hat colors due to high visability when on the water), Forest (new color) and Marine Blue, also a popular color. You must be prepared to give me your color preference In Order Of Preference (1 being first choice - 4 being last choice). Be prepared to accept a substitute from the color you have chosen to another color based on popular demand and my need to meet the minimum of 12 per color.
Please note that our logo is BLACK lettering on embroidery and BROWN lettering on the crossed paddles. If anyone would like me to email a logo copy to them, I can.

Remember, make ordering arrangements with me by April 4th. I will place the order on April 5th, with delivery notification upon my receipt of hats, expected mid to late April.

if contacting me by email, please Subject your email: CLUB HATS

Harriet Ingraham
phone: 251-928-4568
email: hvk1457@aol.com

March Club Calendar

Derelict Crab Trap Recovery Program

Date: Saturday, March 11, 2006
Time: 8:00 AM - Noon
Places: Fowl River, Dog River, Chacaloochee Bay Causeway boat launch, Meaher State Park boat launch, Fairhope Yacht Club, Weeks Bay CR 1 boat launch, Wolf Bay
Contacts: Leslie Hartman - Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources - lhartman@gulftel.com 251-861-2882 and Lee Yokel - Mobile Bay National Estuary Program - lyokel@mobilebaynep.com 251-431-6409
Comments: For more information, click on Program, Volunteers, Locations. Bring gloves, boots and clothes that can get dirty. In general, we are asked to not bring kayaks and canoes, but depending on the location, captains in charge and other available motor boats, you might come prepared, if needed.

Full Moon Over Whiskey Ditch

DATE: Saturday, March 11, 2006
TIME: 5:00 PM
PLACE: Old Riverdocs on the Causeway, Spanish Fort, AL
DIRECTIONS: From Mobile, take the Causeway (or I-10 to the mid-bay exit 30 and turn left) and go to the parking lot on the left about 100 meters before reaching Ed's Seafood Shed. From the Eastern Shore, take the Causeway past Ed's about 100 meters and turn into the lot on the right.
CONTACT: Brint Adams - 251-583-9919
COMMENTS: This will be a beginner-friendly easy, slow paddle to legendary and remote Whiskey Ditch in the lower delta. The water level will be up making it easy to get all the way back to the end. Paddle distance will be 4 miles. Bring a light for the after dark return, as well as your favorite beverage to enjoy back in the middle of the delta. For those interested, we will meet at a nearby restaurant for dinner afterwards.

DEMO DAY - KAYAKS & CANOES FOR TEST PADDLES
Presented by: Pensacola Kayak & Sail in association with Fairhope Boat Co.

Date: Saturday, March 18, 2006
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PMPlace: Pensacola Kayak & Sail on Bayou Chico in Pensacola, FL
Contact: Tony Chavers 251-928-3417 or Bob Andrews 251-367-4144
The popular kayak demo day is back again this spring! Come out to test paddle new models of kayaks, canoes, paddles, pfd's and other equipment. Manufacturer representatives from Wilderness Systems, Hurricane AquaSports, Ocean Kayak, Old Towne, Necky, Hobie and others will be present to demonstrate their new models and answer your questions about the hottest 2006 equipment on the market.

Boatyard Lake-Pine Log Creek-Alabama River-Little Bear Creek

Date: Sunday, March 19, 2006
Time: 9:00 AM at Stagecoach Cafe in Stockton, AL
Place: Put in at Boatyard Landing
Contact: Brint Adams 251-583-9919
Comments: From Stockton, we will caravan to Boatyard Landing (approx 12 mi & $4 launch charge) to put in. This will be an intermediate level day-long paddle of approximately 15 miles exploring Boatyard Lake, Pine Log Creek to the Alabama River around the Ft. Mims Bend to Little Bear Creek, connecting back to the Alabama to the cutoff to Boatyard Lake. Most of the paddle will be a loop with the only out/back on Boatyard and Pine Log. Bring the usual preparations, including lunch, plenty of fluids, sunscreen and bug juice for a full day of fun in the upper delta.


Johnson's Beach Paddle and Overnight Camping

Date: Tuesday-Thursday, March 21-23, 2006
Time: TBA
Contact: Carolyn Boothe 251-928-1107
Directions: Take Hwy 98 east out of Fairhope, cross the state line into Florida, turn right on Co. Rd. 293 (Bauer Rd) and go for 3.9 miles, turn right on CR 292 and go for 3.4 miles, turn left on Johnson's Beach Rd. We will meet in Johnson's Beach parking lot.
Comments: Call Carolyn, so she will know who is coming and may contact you if conditions change. This is an overnight camping trip, intermediate level paddle due to open water, on a barrier island in the National Seashore system. Bring camping needs, food and plenty of water for dinner and breakfast.

Hurst Hammock Landing on Perdido River - UPDATED

Date: Friday, March 31, 2006
Time: 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Place: Hurst Hammock, FL
Contact: Tina Murphy @ tcmurph@mchsi.com or 850-994-0290 or Bob Andrews 251-367-4144
Comments: Take Alternate Hwy. 90 to Hwy. 99 (Beulah Road then name changes to Hurst Hammock Road). Turn south on Hwy. 99 and follow it to the end (approx. 5-6 miles) Launch fee $4-$5. Bring lunch, water, sunscreen and canoe or kayak. There is the option of renting a boat from Bob Andrews by calling ph. 251-367-4144.
For those of you who like a little daring with your paddle, there is the possibility of shooting through a culvert if the water level is right. For those of you who like to be entertained by the folly of others, there is the possibility of hanging out at the end of said culvert and taking bets on who makes it and who gets wet. As always, there will be a good time for all.
RSVP or for details and tidbits call Tina or Bob.

Grassy Point and Boiling Creek - UPDATED - NOW POSTPONED TO MID-APRIL DUE TO WEATHER

Date: Saturday & Sunday, March 25-26, 2006 - POSTPONED TO APRIL
Saturday Paddle Time: 9:15 AM at the Yellow River bridge parking lot.
Contact: Gary Worob (850) 259-9337 gworob@yahoo.com
Directions: take route I-10 east to the Milton exit/rt.87, as if you were going to Boiling Creek. Go 5 mi. past the Yellow River bridge to the first paved road on the right (west side). There will be a sign saying OLF CHOCTAW AIR FORCE BASE: turn right there, and go until you can see the gate, turn right at dirt road just before the gate. Go 5 miles on the well-graded dirt road and stay to right until you get to campsite.
Comments: this is a great paddling and/or camping weekend. Grassy Point is located below Milton, FL and near Boiling Creek. It is another pristine area run by Northwest Florida water management district (they own Econfina Creek). No permit is needed and camping is primitive with clean portapotti's. We will paddle Little Boiling Creek and Boiling Creek Saturday morning...then return for some trail biking and group potluck dinner at camp, so bring a dish to share. Bring plenty of food and water for the other meals. This is a pure white sandy beach lagoon with huge live oaks to camp under...pristine. You will need a permit to paddle Boiling Creek!
Gary is going in on Friday and will be camping both Friday and Saturday nights. If you are coming in Saturday morning, go to the Yellow River bridge parking lot to set up the shuttle. After the paddle on Saturday, there will be a trail bike ride for those interested, so bring your mountain bikes along as well as canoes/kayaks.

*****FLASH PADDLE*****BEAR CREEK AND OVERNIGHT AT CANAL ISLAND PLATFORM

Date: Saturday, March 4, 2006 to Sunday, March 5, 2006
Time: 9:30 AM at StageCoach Cafe in Stockton, AL
Place: Hubbard's Landing - there is a launch fee ($3-$5)
Contact: Brint Adams - 251-583-9919
Comments: Space on the floating platform is limited, so call Brint to reserve a space if you plan to camp overnight. Anyone is welcome to day paddle on Saturday and return to Hubbard's Landing that afternoon. We will head north up Tensaw Lake and explore up to the end of Farris Creek. Then we will paddle up Big Beaver Creek and Bear Creek, before returning to Canal Island for the night. We will paddle roughly 12-15 miles on Saturday. On Sunday, we will return to Hubbard's Landing.
For overnighters, plan on Saturday lunch and dinner, and Sunday breakfast.

DEMO DAY - KAYAKS & CANOES FOR TEST PADDLES
Presented by: Pensacola Kayak & Sail in association with Fairhope Boat Co.

Date: Saturday, March 18, 2006
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Place: Pensacola Kayak & Sail on Bayou Chico in Pensacola, FL
Contact: Tony Chavers 251-928-3417 or Bob Andrews 251-367-4144

The popular kayak demo day is back again this spring! Come out to test paddle new models of kayaks, canoes, paddles, pfd's and other equipment. Manufacturer representatives from Wilderness Systems, Hurricane AquaSports, Ocean Kayak, Old Towne, Necky, Hobie and others will be present to demonstrate their new models and answer your questions about the hottest 2006 equipment on the market.

MARCH MONTHLY MEETING AT FAIRHOPE YACHT CLUB - BOATHOUSE BUILDING

The next meeting of the Mobile Bay Canoe and Kayak Club will be on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 at 7:00 p.m., at the Fairhope Yacht Club. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month, same time, same place. When you drive down the hill to the bay, take the last turn left into the parking lot, to the boathouse building.

****FLASH****SUNDAY PADDLE CANCELLED TO RED MAPLE SLOUGH

Harriet has cancelled the paddle for Sunday afternoon, February 26, 2006 due to anticipated north winds, which will likely result in low water levels, making it difficult to get there.

****FLASH PADDLE****RED MAPLE SLOUGH

Date: Sunday, February 26, 2006
Time: 2:30 PM
Place: Old Riverdocs on the Causeway
Directions: See below in description for same trip last week
Contact: Harriet and Fritz Ingraham - 680-8928 (Fritz Cell), 928-4568 home
Comments: Starting late in the day because of tides - total paddle about 8 miles -approx 3 hours, give or take a few minutes. Bring a light for your kayak as we may return after dark.

Maple Slough has been badly damaged from recent hurricanes, however on a trip up this past weekend, what remains was not a full bloom - expecting some color on this paddle.

Bring water and a light snack.

Derelict Crab Trap Recovery Program

Date: Saturday, March 11, 2006
Time: 8:00 AM - Noon
Places: Fowl River, Dog River, Chacaloochee Bay Causeway boat launch, Meaher State Park boat launch, Fairhope Yacht Club, Weeks Bay CR 1 boat launch, Wolf Bay
Contacts: Leslie Hartman - Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources - lhartman@gulftel.com 251-861-2882 and Lee Yokel - Mobile Bay National Estuary Program - lyokel@mobilebaynep.com 251-431-6409
Comments: For more information, click on Program, Volunteers, Locations. Bring gloves, boots and clothes that can get dirty. In general, we are asked to not bring kayaks and canoes, but depending on the location, captains in charge and other available motor boats, you might come prepared, if needed.

Harriet adds the following comments:

Between now and March 10, if anyone comes across any derelict crab traps in the bay or lower delta, please make a note of generally where you see them and notify me by email, and please flag them with some ORANGE tape - easily found at a hardware store. You could carry a role with you on your paddles. Please tie the tape very securely and make sure enough is attached to be seen (we don't want the tape breaking away and further littering our bay). If you don't have any tape, please let me know where you saw them.

The bay is full of debris, and I noticed at least a half dozen crab traps in Big Bateau Bay this past weekend - they are a hazard to boaters of all kinds, and ugly in our beautiful area. So, with that in mind, I assume there are many more in Justins Bay, Chacaloochee Bay, the entire area. I am comprising a general list of where we see them and forwarding on to Mobile Bay NEP, so they can send boats to retrieve them.

And remember, March 11 is the Derelict Crab Trap Removal program - as kayakers and canoers, our help is requested especially before the date, performing the above mentioned tasks. Mobile Bay NEP discourages kayaks and canoes during the actual event, as we cannot retrieve the traps. However, they request our help during the day - many volunteer jobs will be available - just check the website:
http://www.mobilebaynep.com/Crab%20Stuff/Crab_Trap/Crab%20Trap%20Program.htm

Harriet Ingraham
hvk1457@aol.com

*****FLASH PADDLE*****RED MAPLE SLOUGH

The Red Maple Slough paddle posted below was postponed today due to weather. We will try again tomorrow, on Sunday, February 19 and meet same place at 1:00 PM.

*****FLASH PADDLE*****Red Maple Slough

Date: Saturday, February 18, 2006
Time: 12:30 PM
Place: Old Riverdocs parking lot on the Causeway, Spanish Fort, AL
Directions: Located on the north side of the Causeway about 100 meters west of Ed's Seafood Shed
Contact: Brint Adams 251-583-9919
Comments: The maples are bursting red, the water level will be up and the slough should be right for a paddle this Saturday. This will be about a 6-8 mile paddle, so not short, but not difficult. Bring the usual necessities to enjoy a nice afternoon in the lower delta.

February Club Calendar

Full Moon Paddle - Cancelled due to weather
Date: Friday or Saturday February 10 or 11
Time: TBA
Place: TBA
Contact: Bob Andrews 251-367-4144

INGRAMS BAYOU
Date: Friday, February 17, 2006
Time: 9:00 AM
Place: Meet at Exxon station at Hwy 98 & CR95 east of Elberta, AL
Contact: Bob Andrews 251-367-4144
Comments: Paddle pristine waterway with abundant flora and fauna, (soon to be developed?), so see it now in its unaltered state. We'll be looking for mother/baby dolphins, as well as wintering snowbirds of the avian variety. We should be off the water around 1:00 p.m.- 1:30 p.m. Bring binoculars, cameras, paddle, life preserver, car keys, brown bag lunch, well rested body and your brightest smile. If you are one of the fortunate folks who have a fleet of boats to choose from, you may want to select a kayak in case of wind.


Ian Brosnan gave a very interesting slide presentation of the US Coast Guard's mission, work and sites he has seen from Alaska to Hawaii to Midway to Mobile to Antarctica and many other points in between. There were great shots of rare and exotic birds, beautiful beaches, icebergs and coastal mountains. Great show, Ian!

*****FLASH*****FEBRUARY MONTHLY MEETING AT FAIRHOPE YACHT CLUB - BOATHOUSE BUILDING

The next meeting of the Mobile Bay Canoe and Kayak Club will be on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 at 7:00 p.m., at the Fairhope Yacht Club. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month, same time, same place. When you drive down the hill to the bay, take the last turn left into the parking lot, to the boathouse building. After the usual club business of reporting on last month's trips and scheduling future paddles and events, we will have a good powerpoint photo presentation by Ian Brosnan, featuring Coast Guard missions between Alaska and Antarctica. He should have some spectacular shots, so this is a meeting you will want to attend.

****FLASH PADDLE****INGRAMS BAYOU

Date: Friday, February 17, 2006
Time: 9:00 AM
Place: Meet at Exxon station at Hwy 98 & CR95 east of Elberta, AL
Contact: Bob Andrews 251-367-4144
Comments: Paddle pristine waterway with abundant flora and fauna, (soon to be developed?), so see it now in its unaltered state. We'll be looking for mother/baby dolphins, as well as wintering snowbirds of the avian variety. We should be off the water around 1:00 p.m.- 1:30 p.m. Bring binoculars, cameras, paddle, life preserver, car keys, brown bag lunch, well rested body and your brightest smile. If you are one of the fortunate folks who have a fleet of boats to choose from, you may want to select a kayak in case of wind.

***NEW PADDLE ANNOUNCEMENT*** LITTLE BOILING CREEK & BOILING CREEK

Date: Saturday, February 4, 2006
Time: 10:15 AM
Place: Yellow River parking lot, Eglin AFB, FL
Contact: Gary Worob 850-259-9337
Directions: Take I-10 to exit 31 in Florida, which is Hwy 87 south, the last Milton exit going east, and travel south for several miles until you cross the Yellow River bridge (can't miss it) immediately on left is parking lot.
Comments: The trip will start at the road crossing over Little Boiling Creek. We will shuttle vehicles to the take-out at the mouth of Boiling Creek, and not continue down the Yellow River to the Hwy 87 bridge. This may be an adventure into the unknown for the first 1/4-1/2 mile, as we will likely encounter some blockages requiring some cutting, drag-overs or possible portages. It should not be very far, as we checked out the northern end of Little Boiling Creek recently and it is clear partway upstream heading towards the culvert.
The scenery will be extraordinary, as we will paddle down Little Boiling Creek and turn up Boiling Creek as far as it will allow. We will then return downstream, under the wooden bridge (normal put-in point) and continue to the take-out at the mouth (normal lunch spot).
Bring lunch, fluids, definately a recreation pass for Eglin, change of clothes, and saw if possible and sense of adventure.
If you do not have a pass yet, click on Frequently Asked Questions and scroll to the bottom for instructions. Now is the time to get your pass. Do not procrastinate any longer!
If anyone is interested in carpooling from Daphne, call Gary and he will set up. He is meeting at Boater's World and leaving at no later than 8:45 AM.

Grandman Triathlon, Fairhope Municipal Pier
June 3, 2006 7:00 AM - arrive by 6:30 AM

MBCAKC has been the team of kayak lifeguards since the triathlon began several years ago. Harriet Ingraham - 928.4568; hvk1457@aol.com is the kayak coordinator for this event. 10-15 kayakers are needed to line the swim race course, keeping swimmers on path and aiding tired swimmers who need a rest. Kayakers need to be in the water at the Fairhope Pier between 6:30 AM and 6:45 AM - after connecting with Harriet about positioning for the race. Please contact Harriet if you would like to volunteer. We, and Mobile Bay Watch received numerous positive comments about the MBCAKC presence last year and how secure all the swimmers felt by having us participate.

Remembrance of Larry Mickelson and his club paddles

Bruce Zimmerman found an old club paddle report from October 23, 2000, for a trip Larry, Sr., his son, Larry, Jr., Bruce and two others, who paddled all the way from Daphne to Fort Morgan. Larry, Sr. was particularly proud of this accomplishment.

You may read about this trip by clicking here.

Float Plan and Boating Emergency Guide

Have you ever been paddling or boating in a remote area, whether out offshore in the bay or gulf, or back in some remote bayou in the delta? Did you have a plan? Did anyone know where you were or when you were to return to civilization?

Click Float Plan Central for an easy to use, comprehensive float plan with step by step emergency guide instructions for the person responsible to contact authorities to locate you, if you were to get into trouble and not return as scheduled.

Larry Mickelson, Sr. passes away Friday, January, 13, 2006

We will miss Larry Mickelsen, Sr. - Redboat Mickelsen. For years, Larry delighted us with his kayak fishing tales (and filled me with envy for not being with him to catch those big Reds). He came aboard with our club, early in the club's infancy and was a faithful and valuable member. His tale of paddling from Pelican Point to Fort Morgan will always be in my memory. Larry was my right-hand man in kayak-lifeguarding, during the Pelican Point/Grandman Triathlon, and I will miss having his help and support.

We all will miss you Larry, and are thankful for your cheerful contributions to our club throughout the years.

Larry's memorial service will be held 5:30 PM, Wednesday, January 18, 2006, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1410 U.S. Hwy. 98, Buildings K &L, in Daphne. Following the service, a reception will be held at East Shore Cafe on Main Street in Daphne. Burial will take place at a later date at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola.

Harriet Ingraham

Email option by joining our new Yahoo Group - mbcakc group

This is for anyone interested in having emails of this website's messages, such as flash paddles and upcoming events and notices, automatically sent to your email address. All you have to do is go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mbcakc/ and request to be added as a member. First, click on "Join This Group", then sign in to Yahoo! with your Yahoo! ID and password. If you do not have one, you can set one up by clicking "Sign Up".

Once you are signed in, click "Continue to Yahoo! Groups", then complete the application for membership. You will receive an email notifying you that you are now a member. Once you are approved by the group moderator, you may access the group by signing in to Yahoo, clicking on Groups and the mbcakc group will show up in your list of "My Groups". You may want to view how your profile, email, etc. show up and make any changes or additions you want by clicking "edit".

Now you are set to receive either a daily log of emails or you may want to receive all emails of any messages as they are posted. However, you really will not need to visit the Group site anymore, if you do not wish to, in order to get club messages. It is a safe site reserved only for club members, so you should not receive any unwanted emails. If you no longer want to be in the Yahoo Group, you may opt out or cancel membership in the group.

This should be an easy way to get all of the club news, especially Flash Paddles, without having to remember to frequently click on this website.

*****FLASH PADDLE*****BAYOU TALLAPOOSA

Date: Sunday, January 15, 2006
Time: 10:00 AM
Place: Rice Creek Landing
Directions: meet at Stagecoach Cafe in Stockton. Take Hwy 225 north from I-65 exit 31 to Stockton.
Contact: Brint Adams 251-583-9919
Comments: This will be an intermediate level paddle of about 10-12 miles (4-5 hrs.) up Briar Lake to Tensaw Lake, stop at the Dead Lake Island platforms and travel up Bayou Tallapoosa before returning to Rice Creek Landing. Give Brint a call well ahead of time, so he will know how many to plan for. Bring lunch, fluids, etc.

January Club Calendar

Boiling Creek
Date: Sunday, January 8, 2006
Time: 10:15 AM
Place: Yellow River parking lot, Eglin AFB, FL
Contact: Gary Worob 850-259-9337
Directions: I-10 to exit 31 in Florida which is Hwy 87 south....the last Milton exit east....go south for several miles until you pass the Yellow River bridge (can't miss it)immediately on left is parking lot.
Comments: bring dry clothes, boat and paddle, pfd and lunch and maybe something to share and bring your Eglin permit. We will paddle upstream, so there will be no shuttle.

Full Moon Paddle - Bay Minette Basin
Date: Saturday, January 14
Time: 5:30 PM
Place: Buzbee's Fish Camp on Bay Minette Creek. Travel 2 mi. north on Hwy 225 out of Spanish Fort, AL from the Hwy 31 intersection by Bruno's.
Contact: Bob Andrews 251-367-4144
Comments: This will be a short, beginner-friendly level paddle out into the basin. Bring a light to be night-water legal. Those interested will gather at a local restaurant on the Causeway for dinner afterwards. Buzbee's has a $3.00 launch fee.

7 Rivers in 7 Days Kayak Trip
Date: January 14 - 27, 2006
For complete details, click here and scan down.

Eagle Weekend, Guntersville, AL
Date: January 20-22, 2006
The Mobile Bay Canoe & Kayak Club has scheduled a roadtrip for Eagle Weekend, January 20-22, 2006, at Guntersville State Park near Guntersville, AL. We will be paddling near the park and will be viewing eagles that winter in the area. Join us for a day or for the weekend. If you would like to stay at the park, there are chalets, cabins and camping available. The lodge is currently closed for remodeling. To make your reservations at the park, call 256-571-5440 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Saturday through Thursday, or 9:00am to 6:00 pm on Friday (Central Time). Weather can be an issue in this area during January. All paddlers need to be prepared for possible cold weather paddling.

If you plan to participate, please notify Bob Andrews at 251-367-4144.

Wakulla River Race
Date: Sunday, January 22, 2006
Time: 10:00 AM EST
Place: St. Marks, FL
Contact: George Blakely 850-385-4974

*****FLASH PADDLE***** BOILING CREEK - Upper Section

Date: Sunday, January 8, 2006
Time: 10:15 AM
Place: Yellow River parking lot, Eglin AFB, FL
Contact: Gary Worob 850-259-9337
Directions: I-10 to exit 31 in Florida which is Hwy 87 south....the last Milton exit east....
go south for several miles until you pass the Yellow River bridge (can't miss it)
immediately on left is parking lot.
Comments: bring dry clothes, boat and paddle, pfd and lunch and maybe something to share...

and.....................Eglin permit.......don't come without one...

we will paddle upstream ...so there will be no shuttle...

carpool possible:

call me if you want to carpool or be at Boater's World by 9:00 AM in Daphne.....plaza?

this will be a mellow paddle upstream ...a tiny bit of clearing...small branches may happen but no major cunundrums....

*****FLASH*****MEETING AT FAIRHOPE YACHT CLUB - BOATHOUSE BUILDING

The next meeting of the Mobile Bay Canoe and Kayak Club will be on Tuesday, January 3, 2006 at 7:00 p.m., at the Fairhope Yacht Club. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month, same time, same place. When you drive down the hill to the bay, turn left into the parking lot to the boathouse building. After the usual club business of reporting on and scheduling upcoming paddles, we will have a slide show presentation of assorted paddles/places by Fritz and Harriet.

*****FLASH PADDLE*****

Date: December 23, 2005
Time: approx. 10:00 AM
Place: Perdido Estuary
Contact: Bob Andrews 251-367-4144
Comments: This approx. 10 mi. trip will be a beginner-friendly paddle around the Perdido Bay area. Bring lunch, fluids and gear appropriate for the weather. For more details about exact meeting time, place and directions, call Bob Andrews.

January 20-22, 2006 - Eagle Weekend, Guntersville, AL

The Mobile Bay Canoe & Kayak Club has scheduled a roadtrip for Eagle Weekend, January 20-22, 2006, at Guntersville State Park near Guntersville, AL. We will be paddling near the park and will be viewing eagles that winter in the area. Join us for a day or for the weekend. If you would like to stay at the park, there are chalets, cabins and camping available. The lodge is currently closed for remodeling. To make your reservations at the park, call 256-571-5440 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Saturday through Thursday, or 9:00am to 6:00 pm on Friday (Central Time). Weather can be an issue in this area during January. All paddlers need to be prepared for possible cold weather paddling.

If you plan to participate, please notify Bob Andrews at 251-367-4144.

FLASH----------BOB ANDREWS CANCELLED FULL MOON PADDLE TONIGHT

7 Rivers in 7 Days Florida Trip

Paul Loeffler from Fairhope is interested in going on this trip and would like to see if anyone else would be interested in pairing up with him and sharing expenses. If so, please contact him at:

b1paul@mchsi.com
251-656-0275

December Club Calendar

Upper Fish River
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Contact: Brint Adams 251-583-9919
Comments: see Flash Paddle above

Northernmost Full Moon Paddle on the lower Mobile-Tensaw River Delta
Major Lunar Standstill cycle puts moon on northernmost track until 2023 CANCELLED
Date: Thursday, December 15, 2005
Time: 6:00 PM
Place: TBD
Contact: Bob Andrews 251-367-4177
Comments: Call Bob to sign up, find out the put-in location and leave a number in case weather conditions turn bad. The paddle will be short, followed by dinner somewhere along the Causeway. Bring a light, pfd, warm clothes, etc. for winter night paddling. To check out more details about the high path of the full moon this month and major lunar standstills, go to http://www.earthsky.com/

New Year's Eve on Mobile Bay
Date: Saturday, December 31, 2005
Time: 4:00 PM
Contact: Gene Boothe 251-928-1107
Place: Fairhope Yacht Club, Fairhope, AL
Comments: Come for a short trip out into Mobile Bay and toast the last sunset of 2005. This will be a short paddle, allowing time to attend other festivities afterwards. The object is to paddle just far enough off shore to get away from land noise and boat traffic, to enjoy the sunset. Bring normal safety gear, including a light to be used as needed for safety, such as alerting power boat traffic, not for normal paddling. Also bring your own toast.

January 2006

7 Rivers in 7 Days Kayak Trip

Date: January 14 - 27, 2006

Day 1: Ichetucknee River (the Itch)
Crystal-clear, spring-fed swift water.
Put in near the headsprings in Ichetucknee Springs State Park.
Red-shouldered hawks & limpkins.

Day 2: Waccasassa River (the Wau)
Tannic water, slow-moving current,
cabbage palm trees lining the banks.
Bald eagles & ospreys. Possibility of a black bear.

Day 3: Rainbow River
Crystal-clear, swift water.
Paddle up the river. Drift dive, snorkel downstream.
Bass, bream, turtles, river otters, little blue herons, & gallinules.

Day 4: Crystal River
Crystal-clear.
Paddle to Three Sisters. Snorkel with manatees there.
Snorkel up the channel to the three springs.

Day 5: Homosassa River (the Sass)
Clear upstream, bluewater downstream. Slow current.
Kayak with manatees & dolphins.
Great Blue Herons, ospreys, egrets, vultures, & blonde raccoons.

Day 6: Chassahowitzka River (the Chaz)
Clear upstream, bluewater downstream. Slow current.
Paddle to headsprings. Kayak with manatees & dolphins.
Roseate spoonbills, white pelicans, wood storks, & vultures.

Day 7: Weeki Wachee River
Crystal-clear, swift water.
Kayak with manatees (downstream) & river otters (upstream).
Red-shouldered hawks, apple snails, & deer.



Coordinated by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System,
Baldwin County Office.
For more information, contact Sonya Wood Mahler,
mahlesw @auburn.edu, cell: 251-709-7588
or Rhonda Bryars, bryarrm @aces.edu, office: 251-937-7176.

This trip is a great opportunity for experienced paddlers, or beginning paddlers who are willing to “cowboy up”! The adventure will take us from north central Florida to the central Gulf coast of Florida. We will stay in a motel in Gainesville the first night and a motel in Crystal River the last seven nights. Participants may opt out of a day of paddling if they want to, so they can take a break or do something else in the area. The whole group will opt out of a day if there are bad thunderstorms that day. Usually in January, during a whole week, we will have one day of nasty rain and one day of light showers. The other days should be gorgeous, but we won’t know which ones those are until a few days before. We will stay tuned to the Weather Channel!

The registration fee of $50.00 covers guide service, insurance, water, snacks, and first aid supplies. Participants will be responsible for their lodging (about $640.00), dinner each night (about $120.00), rental of wetsuit, fins, mask, and snorkel for Rainbow River and Crystal River (about $48.00 total). If you need to rent a kayak from us for the week, the cost is $50.00. If you need us to transport your kayak or a rental kayak on our trailer from the Alabama/Florida state line, that cost is $20.00. If you bring your own kayak, remember to include a paddle and life vest.

We will meet on Saturday, January 14th at 3:00pm in Gainesville, Florida. We will check into our motel and have a strategy meeting at dinner that evening. We will paddle Sunday through Saturday. We will begin the paddle at about 8:30am or at 10:00am each day, and finish up at 3:00pm or 5:00pm. Participants will have the evenings free to freshen up and rest. We will have the opportunity to go out together to eat supper or to a movie. Paddlers could leave Saturday at 3:00pm to start their drive home, or spend one more night and drive home Sunday. Gainesville is about a 6-hour from the Alabama/Florida state line. Crystal River is about a 7-hour drive. Both are in the Eastern time zone.

In Gainesville, we will stay at the Days Inn, located at Exit #387 off of I-75 (Newberry Road or State Road 26). The Days Inn has continental breakfast and a heated pool. Our group rate for a room with two double beds is $44.95 plus tax. Call 352-376-0004 for reservations. Ask for Mike or Carmen and tell them you are with Sonya’s kayak group. Sonya will be staying there January 13th and 14th.

In Crystal River, we will stay at the Comfort Inn, located on Highway 19 near the Crystal River Mall. They have continental breakfast. Our group rate for a room with two double beds is $70.00 plus tax. Call 352-563-1500 for reservations and mention that you are with Sonya’s kayak group. Sonya will be staying there January 15th through 21st, leaving to drive home on the 22nd.

To register, mail in the attached form and your $50.00 registration fee to: Alabama Cooperative Extension System, 7 Rivers in 7 Days, 302A Byrne Street, Bay Minette, AL 36507. Make checks payable to ACES. Include an additional $50.00 if you want to rent a kayak and $20.00 if you want us to transport your kayak. The registration deadline is Thursday, January 5th. Please make your motel reservations by Thursday, December 29th.


December Meeting

The December meeting was held at the Fairhope Yacht Club auxiliary building across the street from the ruined main building. The old boat storage barn was converted and closed in with recycled materials found after Hurricane Katrina. We had a potluck Christmas dinner and a good time was had by all.

Gary Worob announced the following educational program to be started in 2006 and is asking for monetary donations to help fund the program:

George Borne (MBCAKC member extraordinaire) will teach a program in Wooden Boat Building to the older students at the Marietta Johnson School of Organic Education, located in Fairhope. The Organic School has been in existence since 1907 and strives to teach the "whole child" and nurture the creative aspects of each child.

The program will start after the New Year and will use "kit boats" to teach each participant building skills as well as a sense of responsibility and pride in their creative talents as they evolve through this wonderful process. Combined with the boat building class will be hands on instruction from members of the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program who will volunteer to teach the students marine biology and a better appreciation of the estuaries here along Mobile Bay. They will also build aquariums and learn about water inhabitants.

The students, for a final part of the program, will go out into the bay in their new wooden sailing and rowng boats and explore the estuaries with the help of members of the Mobile Bay Canoe and Kayak Club and also learn boating safety. Parents will be encouraged to participate in all phases of this program.

In order to ensure the success of this program, I am asking that you strongly consider contributing financially to its success. Your contribution is TAX DEDUCTIBLE, and I will match your donation dollar for dollar.

Please make your check to:

Marietta Johnson School of Organic Education
8 Marietta Drive
Fairhope, AL 36532

Earmark the check to: Boatbuilding Program

Thank you very much,

Gary I. Worob

*****FLASH PADDLE*****UPPER FISH RIVER

Date: Saturday, December 10, 2005
Time: 11:00 AM
Place: Baldwin County Wetlands Conservation Park on Keeney Drive E. located below the West end of the CR 32 bridge over Fish River
Directions: From I-10 go to Malbis exit 38, travel south on Hwy 181 to CR32. We will meet at the gas station at this intersection at 11:00 AM and caravan the remainder of the way to the put-in (not far).
Contact: Brint Adams 251-583-9919
Comments: This will be a beginner-friendly paddle on the upper end of the beautiful Fish River near Fairhope, AL. Depending on the group, etc. we will explore Cowpen Creek and Polecat Creek. Bring a lunch and fluids. The weather should be pretty nice with the forecast for sun, no wind and in the low 50's.

*****FLASH*****MEETING AT FAIRHOPE YACHT CLUB TONIGHT
POTLUCK DINNER CHRISTMAS PARTY
!!!!!!!MEETING REMINDER!!!!!!!

The next meeting of the Mobile Bay Canoe and Kayak Club will be on Tuesday, December 6, 2005 at 7:00 p.m., at Fairhope Yacht Club, which is now open for our use once again. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month, same time, new place. After the usual club business of reporting on and scheduling upcoming paddles, we will have a Christmas Potluck Dinner. Caroline Booth will bring a large pot of chili. Everyone else please bring something potluck to go along with the chili.

Due to the late timing of this announcement, please call anyone you think might be coming to the meeting or who might like to attend, to make sure they know the latest information. We want to avoid having members driving to the wrong location.

!!!!FLASH!!!! SUNDAY PADDLE - BYRNES LAKE TO CAUSEWAY

The plan will be to meet at Bruno's in Spanish Fort (corner of Hwys. 31 & 225) at 8:45 AM. Depending on the group size, we may consolidate some boats there before traveling up to the put-in at Byrnes Lake. Upon reaching the take-out, I will have a driver meet us to retrieve vehicles at Bruno's and the put-in.

BOOK REVIEW - FOR A COLD NIGHT IN FRONT OF THE FIREPLACE
by Julie Robberson

The Complete Book of Fire: Building Campfires for Warmth, Light, Cooking, and Survival, by Buck Tilton, Menasha Ridge Press, 2005, 104 pp., $12.95.

http://www.menasharidge.com/fire.htm

"What an odd little subject this little book has." That was what I said to myself when I saw this book in the latest shipment from our friends at Menasha Ridge Press in Birmingham. In fact, this little book is a little gem.

Author Buck Tilton is not a pyromaniac; he is a regular contributor to Backpacker magazine. His writing makes me smell campfires and long for the woods.

This book is delightful reading for a winter evening at home, but it is also very practical guide for outdoor skills, including every aspect of how to build a fire for each purpose. It covers everything from how to build a signal fire when you need to be rescued from the wilderness, to a few recipes to cook on your campfire; from controlling wildfire to treating burned human skin. Of equal importance, the book devotes a chapter to when and why you should not build a fire (to avoid damaging your surroundings), how to build a minimum-impact fire, and how to put the dang thing out so you don't burn down the woods.

My favorite thing about the book, however, is thinking about all those smart alecks with whom I've built and sat around campfires, who think they know everything in the world about building a campfire. After reading this book, you'll definitely know more than they do. That's not to say you'll succeed in shutting them up, but you may be able to keep them from setting you or the woods on fire. And you can feel secure in your certainty that you know more than they do.

NOTICE - DAUPHIN ISLAND OVERNIGHT TRIP TOMORROW IS CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER

UPDATE - Information for Nov. 13th Full Moon Paddle

Please review the November Calendar below for more details on the MBCAKC's 5th Anniversary Full Moon Paddle into Bay Minette Basin.

November Club Calendar

Econfina Creek
Dates: Friday, Nov. 4 - Monday, Nov. 7, 2005
Time: Open for us at 2:00 PM on Friday and check-out by 10:00 AM on Monday
Place: Blue Spring Campground, North West Florida Water Management District
Directions from Mobile: Go east on I-10 to Hwy 81 in Florida, about 2 hours. Go south to Hwy 20 at Bruce and turn left (East). Go past Hwy 79 and a few miles past Hwy 77, you will come to Econfina Creek and there will be Pitt Springs on your left. Continue a short distance (maybe a mile) and Blue Springs Rd. North will be on your left. DO NOT GO RIGHT ON BLUE SPRINGS SOUTH. Take a left on Blue Springs Rd. North and go about a mile. Ignore the private signs and drive carefully as the road winds alot. ON YOUR LEFT will be two gates. The second gate is for us. The lock combination is 9337.
What to bring: bring your own food, water and please bring firewood. Saturday night will be a potluck dinner. NWFMWD does not want to “SEE” alcoholic beverages, so be discrete. Bring your own tent or van camp. We are not supposed to bring rv’s. This site will hold 25 campers and no limit on paddlers. We will be camped near our own set of springs. Tom and I will be setting up a sweat lodge for the big feast/celebration on Saturday. Bring musical instruments. Bring your canoes & kayaks. Bring wet suits and snorkeling gear, if you plan to explore the springs the closeup way.
Contacts & phone numbers: Gary Worob: gworob@yahoo.com or 850-259-9337 cell, Bob Andrews: 251-367-4144

Fall Paddle & Potluck Dinner
Date: Saturday, November 12, 2005
Time: Paddle: 2:00 PM, Dinner: 6:00 PM
Place: Fowl River, Mobile, AL
Contact: Marilyn Craig - Home 973-0129, Cell 605-6453 or marilyncraig@hotmail.com
Comments: Marilyn Craig has graciously agreed to host our Fall Club Party at her house on Fowl River just down from the marina. She has a good put-in and plenty of parking space. Marilyn is fixing chili for us, so call her to let her know how many are coming and to find out what we will all need to bring for "potluck" to round out the meal.
Directions to Marilyn's house will be sent to club members via e-mail. If you would like directions to Marilyn's house, please e-mail Brint at brint.adams@us.army.mil.

Full Moon Paddle - Bay Minette Basin - 5 Year Anniversary
Date: Sunday, November 13, 2005
Time: 3:30 PM
Place: Buzbee's on Hwy 225, go 2 mi. north of Hwy 31 from Bruno's in Spanish Fort
Contact: Bob Andrews 251-367-4144
Comments: Easy paddle from Buzbee's for about 3 hours to see sunset and moon rise and then those inclined will retire for dinner at Beach House Grill on the Causeway. This is the 5 year anniversary of the first MBCAKC group paddle which also took place at Buzbee's.

Dauphin Island - West end camping trip CANCELLED-WEATHER
Date: Saturday, November 19-20, 2005
Time: 10:00 AM
Place: west end of Dauphin Island
Contact: Brint Adams 251-583-9919
Comments: We will park in a friend's driveway out near the west end of residential area and paddle out to the far west end of the island for a night of fine dining, campfire and camping. Bring plenty of food,water and camping gear to be prepared for all weather conditions. We will return Sunday morning arriving at the take-out by early afternoon. Each paddle leg will be about nine miles.

Byrnes Lake to Causeway - One Way Downriver
Date: Sunday, December 4, 2005
Time: 9:00 AM
Place: Meet at Bruno's in Spanish Fort, AL on Hwy 225 & Hwy 31 or go directly to Byrnes Lake County Park
Contact: Brint Adams 251-583-9919
Comments: We will paddle out to the Tensaw, go downriver to Blakeley State Park, over to Mudhole Creek to Little Bateau Bay to Conway Creek to Chacaloochee Bay and end up at Riverdocs. We will have a shuttle to take paddlers back to Byrnes Lake to retrieve vehicles. Bring lunch, fluids and the usual gear for a wonderful day paddle down through the lower delta.

TWO EVENTS TO HONOR AND REMEMBER LARRY AND ANN MCDUFF

Dedication of the "McDuff Trail"
Thursday, November 10 at 1:00 PM
Ceremony will take place at Adams & Main Streets to dedicate a two-mile section of the bike and walking trail in Montrose. Come wearing club t-shirts and/or hats


Family & Friends gather to eat, drink and reminisce
Friday, November 11 at 5:30 PM
What: a pot luck dinner tribute to Larry and Ann McDuff with the McDuff family in attendance.
Who: friends of Larry and Ann from the kayak club are invited to attend and if they can bring a Larry and/or Ann story to share, or typed or written to give to the family, that would be great.
Contact: Charlene Lee 928-0366
Location: Robert & Charlene Lee's home at: 60 Morphy Ave., Fairhope, AL

FLASH - MCDUFF TRAIL WALK TODAY AT 11:30 AM

Teko Wiseman announced a group will meet at the St. James Episcopal Church on the corner of Section Street and Scenic 98 in Fairhope at 11:30 AM today, to walk the length of the McDuff Trail before the 1:00 PM dedication. Everyone is welcome to show up and join in the walk.

FALL CLUB PADDLE & POTLUCK DINNER THIS SATURDAY - 11/12/05

Remember to call or email Marilyn with your RSVP so she will know how much chili to make and give suggestions for what else to bring. For more details and Marilyn's numbers, scan down to the November Club Calendar.

If you need directions to Marilyn's, call to ask her or send an email request to brint.adams@us.army.mil.

!!!IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

Julie Robberson reports Teko Wiseman from the Trailblazers called to alert the MBCAKC the Ann & Larry McDuff Trail will be dedicated and opened on Thursday, November 10, 2005 at 1:00 PM, in the yard of a residence at Adams and Main in Daphne. Teko is hoping we will be present as a club, wearing our t-shirts, standing together. She also hopes we will do anything we can think of to contribute to the program and signal our presence -- a banner, a speech, anything.

Julie told Teko we would be sure to discuss this at our next meeting. Please be sure to attend tomorrow nights club meeting, Tuesday November 1st, to to give your input for our club planning and participation for this important event. We want to have a major show of club support for the Nov. 10th dedication, in remembrance of Ann and Larry.

!!!!!!!MEETING REMINDER - NEW LOCATION!!!!!!!

The next meeting of the Mobile Bay Canoe and Kayak Club will be on Tuesday, November 1, 2005 at 7:00 p.m., at Bayside Academy, 303 Dryer Avenue, Daphne, AL 36526, in the Media Center. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month, same time, new place. After the usual club business of reporting on and scheduling upcoming paddles, knot-tying experts Fritz and Caroline will give the following presentation:

Have you ever tied your kayak/canoe to a tree, left for a foot excursion, gotten 1/2 mile away and really wondered if you will be taking a fast swim to catch your kayak/canoe as the wind blows it downstream? Have you ever hit 70 mph on the interstate with your kayak/canoe on top of your car, and wondered if that $75,000.00 Audi behind you was about to get a large bug in the shape of your kayak/canoe into their windshield???

Caroline Boothe and Fritz Ingraham will host a knot tying demonstration. Basic knots to tie lines to your boat, boat to piers, boat to your vehicle. Fritz and Caroline will demonstrate and have a supply of rope for the club members to practice with. Questions? Just ask our KNOTS instructors!

Directions: From either north or south on Hwy 98 in Daphne, turn west to Main St, turn left on Main, go past Guido's to Dryer Ave (before St James Catholic Church). Turn right on Dryer and go straight, past a stop sign, and right where the street makes a sharp left turn, go into the parking lot. The Media Center is right there. We will meet on the outer deck of the Media Center facing the water (inside if inclement weather).

!!!FLASH PADDLE - BIG BRIAR CREEK!!!

DATE: Saturday, October 29, 2005
TIME: 9:30 AM
PLACE: Byrnes Lake, AL
DIRECTIONS: Meet at Bruno's at Hwy 225 & Hwy 31 in Spanish Fort and caravan to Byrnes Lake or go directly up Hwy 225 for 9 miles and turn left to Byrnes Lake at the big green sign. This is a free county park launch facility.
CONTACT: Brint Adams 251-583-9919
COMMENTS: We will paddle out Byrnes Lake, turn north past the top of Gravine Island over to the connector to Mobile River and then into Big Briar Creek. Bring the usual items for a day trip including lunch and fluids. This will be a moderate length trip of about 10-12 miles. We will explore some small tributaries off of Big Briar out into the middle of the delta.

!!!!FLASH PADDLE - WHISKEY DITCH!!!!

DATE: Sunday, October 30, 2005
TIME: 2:00 PM
PLACE: Old Riverdocs on the Causeway, Spanish Fort, AL
DIRECTIONS: From Mobile, take the Causeway (or I-10 to the mid-bay exit 30 and turn left) and go to the parking lot on the left about 100 meters before reaching Ed's Seafood Shed. From the Eastern Shore, take the Causeway past Ed's about 100 meters and turn into the lot on the right.
CONTACT: Brint Adams - 251-583-9919
COMMENTS: This will be a beginner-friendly easy, slow paddle to legendary and remote Whiskey Ditch in the lower delta. We will look for large stands of burr marigold in autumn full bloom as well as various other flora and fauna as only seen in the "Ditch". Paddle distance will be 4 miles. Bring the usual items for a fall afternoon as well as your favorite beverage to enjoy back in the middle of the delta.

!!!FLASH PADDLE - BOILING CREEK!!!!

Date: Saturday, October 29, 2005
Time: 9:00 AM Sharp - Shuttle leaves!
Place: Meet at the take out at Hwy 87 by the Yellow River bridge several miles south of the Milton, FL Hwy 87 exit off of I-10 at exit 31.
Contact: Gary Worob 850-259-9337 gworob@yahoo.com
Comments: Bring snack/lunch/water and change of clothes. Trip will be about 4 +or - hours. I will be there regardless. You must have an Eglin AFB Recreation Permit good for 10/1/05 - 9/30/05. No need to call me unless for information. Just show up. Shuttle to follow.

New Horn Island Trip Report for your reading pleasure

Click here to view Danny Hart's report of his recent trip to Horn Island. It was another interesting and quite eventful outing to this beautiful paddlers overnight outpost. He also has a link to all of the photos documenting their adventure. Enjoy!

Here is a Julie Robberson review of a book on Florida inland paddling


Book Review: A Canoeing and Kayaking Guide to Florida, by Johnny Malloy et al., Menasha Ridge Press, 2005, 309 pages, $16.95, http://www.menasharidge.com/ck_florida_1ed.htm

If you have any interest in exploring Florida's creeks and rivers on your own, you want this book. Now that we have that indisputable fact out of the way, we can talk about what you should and should not expect from this book.

As the author acknowledges near the beginning of the book, writing a book about paddling in Florida is like writing a book about hiking in Alaska. There are too many great paddles in Florida to write about them all. The author necessarily limits his coverage to the "high points" and provides bare-bones, bottom-line information. As such, this book probably would not tell a Florida local or an experienced Florida paddler anything such readers do not already know.

The author does a remarkably good job of detailing a lot of fine paddles, though. The book is divided into ten parts, with each part covering a region of Florida. Each part describes and provides a simple map for six to ten paddles. Each paddle description includes a narrative, a river classification, the physical length, an estimate of the time to paddle, the availability of river gauges, water levels, the water gradient, the name of the relevant USGS map(s), and a rating of the scenery (including summaries of riverside development and river traffic).

This one-volume book replaces and updates the two-volume book formerly known as A Canoeing and Kayaking Guide to the Streams of Florida. The older title is more informative. In other words, you should be aware that this book does not cover any open-water paddling, just creeks and rivers. So, this book does not cover any of our club's favorite paddles in the Gulf, bays, and backwaters in the panhandle and Big Bend areas of Florida (Cape San Blas, St. Vincent Wildlife Refuge, Cedar Key, etc.) or anywhere else in Florida.

The author provides no GPS coordinates and no sources of free, public information and maps other than a list of Florida paddling clubs at the end of the book. A lot of very good, free maps and guides are available from chambers of commerce, county extension agencies, military installations (particularly Eglin Air Force Base), etc. It annoys me that the author references the existence of various agency-run trail systems (such as the "Apalachicola Wildlife & Environmental Area Paddle and Trail System" and the "Florida Canoe Trail"), with little or no explanation of what these trails are or how to get maps of them from which agencies. The author's decision in this regard could be justified by the fact that such information can change quickly, but then why does he include a list of commercial outfitters, whose information changes just as quickly?

The book is impressively current. It even mentions the impact of Hurricane Ivan on some waterways. So get it while it's hot; it's worth the $16.95 if you plan to explore Florida's inland waters.

(reviewed by Julie Robberson)

Fall Paddle & Potluck Dinner

Date: Saturday, November 12, 2005
Time: Paddle: 2:00 PM, Dinner: 6:00 PM
Place: Fowl River, Mobile, AL
Contact: Marilyn Craig - Home 973-0129, Cell 605-6453
Comments: Marilyn Craig has graciously agreed to host our Fall Club Party at her house on Fowl River just down from the marina. She has a good put-in and plenty of parking space.

Marilyn is fixing chili for us, so call her to let her know how many are coming and to find out what we will all need to bring for "potluck" to round out the meal.

Directions to Marilyn's house will be sent to club members via e-mail. If you would like directions to Marilyn's house, please e-mail Brint at brint.adams@us.army.mil.

October Club Calendar

Phatwater Kayak Challenge
Date: Saturday, October 8, 2005
Time: 8:00 AM
Place: Under the Hill Tavern, Natchez, MS
Comments: Visit the race website here for more information.

Econfina, etc.
Date: October 14-16, 2005
Time: Noon Friday
Place: Econfina Creek, north of Panama City, FL
Contact: Rhonda 251-937-7176
Comments: Click here for more information.

Full Moon Paddle
Date: Sunday, October 16, 2005
Time: 5:30 PM
Place: Upper Bryants Landing to Dead Lake Island platforms, Stockton, AL
Contact: Bob Andrews 251-367-4144
Comments: This will be another legendary potluck dinner on the platforms, so bring the good stuff! The paddle will be relatively short, about 6 mi. roundtrip. Bring flashlight for return after dark. For the directionally challenged, Bob will first meet at the Stagecoach Inn in Stockton at 5:00 PM and caravan to Upper Bryant. Stockton is about 4 miles north of I-65 exit 31 on Hwy 225.

Ladies Only Paddle
Date: Friday, October 21, 2005
Time: 5:oo PM
Place: Fairhope Yacht Club, Fairhope, AL
Contact: Caroline Boothe 251-928-1107
Comments: An easy, short paddle suitable for beginners

Dog River Cleanup
Date: Saturday, October 22, 2005
Time: 8:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
Place: Luscher Park (Navco Park), Mobile, AL
Contact: To sign up, call Valerie Blankenship 251-472-8383
Comments: Boaters needed!
· Cruise the river and remove litter from the water.
· Need helpers in your boat? Volunteers are available.
· Boat launch and dock available.
· All types of boats needed.
· Paddle a canoe. Canoes available to loan.
Non-boaters:
· Pick up litter along a shoreline.
· Volunteer to ride with a boater.

Seven Runs Creek
Date: Friday, October 28, 2005
Time: AM
Place: north of Panama City, FL
Contact: Bob Andrews 251-367-4144
Comments: Call Bob or click here for more details for this paddle and for the remainder of the weekend activities paddling and camping with the West Florida Canoe and Kayak Club

Econfina Creek
Dates: Friday, Nov. 4 - Monday, Nov. 7, 2005
Time: Open for us at 2:00 PM on Friday and check-out by 10:00 AM on Monday
Place: Blue Spring Campground, North West Florida Water Management District
Directions from Mobile: Go east on I-10 to Hwy 81 in Florida, about 2 hours. Go south to Hwy 20 at Bruce and turn left (East). Go past Hwy 79 and a few miles past Hwy 77, you will come to Econfina Creek and there will be Pitt Springs on your left. Continue a short distance (maybe a mile) and Blue Springs Rd. North will be on your left. DO NOT GO RIGHT ON BLUE SPRINGS SOUTH. Take a left on Blue Springs Rd. North and go about a mile. Ignore the private signs and drive carefully as the road winds alot. ON YOUR LEFT will be two gates. The second gate is for us. The lock combination is 9337.
What to bring: bring your own food, water and please bring firewood. Saturday night will be a potluck dinner. NWFMWD does not want to “SEE” alcoholic beverages, so be discrete. Bring your own tent or van camp. We are not supposed to bring rv’s. This site will hold 25 campers and no limit on paddlers. We will be camped near our own set of springs. Tom and I will be setting up a sweat lodge for the big feast/celebration on Saturday. Bring musical instruments. Bring your canoes & kayaks. Bring wet suits and snorkeling gear, if you plan to explore the springs the closeup way.
Contacts & phone numbers: Gary Worob: gworob@yahoo.com or 850-259-9337 cell, Bob Andrews: 251-367-4144

Our October club meeting was held at a new location, on the outside deck of the Multi-Purpose Building at Bayside Academy, Daphne, AL. Thank you Juli Day for arranging this and our future meetings at this beautiful location. About twenty people enjoyed Bob Andrew's slide presentation following Fran Morley, who spoke about the upcoming events at this year's Alabama Coastal Birdfest to be held the weekend of October 21-23.

NOTE: For more information about Birdfest, click here. If you would like to contact Fran about volunteering as a tour host or to help out manning a booth with Fairhope Boat Company, you may contact Fran by email: franmorley@mac.com or phone: 251-928-0987.

!!!!!!!MEETING REMINDER - NEW LOCATION!!!!!!!

The next meeting of the Mobile Bay Canoe and Kayak Club will be on Tuesday, October 4, 2005 at 7:00 p.m., at Bayside Academy, 303 Dryer Avenue, Daphne, AL 36526, in the Media Center. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month, same time, new place. After the usual club business of reporting on and scheduling upcoming paddles, Bob Andrews will show a slide presention of a past paddle adventure.

Directions: From either north or south on Hwy 98 in Daphne, turn west to Main St, turn left on Main, go past Guido's to Dryer Ave (before St James Catholic Church). Turn right on Dryer and go straight, past a stop sign, and right where the street makes a sharp left turn, go into the parking lot. The Media Center is right there. We will meet on the outer deck of the Media Center facing the water (inside if inclement weather).

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE RECREATION PERMIT

It is now October and time to renew your recreation permit to paddle the fabulous creeks on base. The permits are still $7.00 and good for the time period of October 1, 2005 through September 30, 2006. For all the details on what you need to submit and where to mail your application, please click here and page down to: "How to get a permit to paddle Boiling Creek".

!!!!!FLASH PADDLE TODAY - HURRICANE LANDING!!!!!

Date: October 2, 2005
Time: 4:00 PM
Place: Hurricane Landing, AL
Contact: Bob Andrews 251-367-4144
Directions: From Bruno's in Spanish Fort at Hwy 31, go north on Hwy 225 for 12.2 miles to the 4-way stop sign, turn left on CR 82, when you get to a Y, go straight or right and on to Hurricane Landing. There is a $3 put-in fee.
Comments: This will be an easy afternoon paddle of approx. 5 miles, suitable for beginners. For those interested, some will meet afterwards for dinner on the Causeway, probably at Beach House Grill.

***FLASH PADDLE***BAYOU JESSAMINE CLEANUP DAY

Date: Saturday, October 1, 2005
Time: 9:00 AM
Place: Shell Station - I-65 exit 31 at intersection of Hwy 225, Stockton, AL
Contact: Carl Hlavenka - 251-604-7268 or chlavenka (at) hotmail . com.
Comments: We will travel from Shell to Rice Creek Landing and paddle over to Bayou Jessamine to work on clearing out debris and fallen trees which block the bayou, especially during low water levels. Bring gloves, large wood saws, rope and chain saws (with fuel, chain oil, etc.), lunch and fluids.

NOTE: There will also be an earlier meeting place at Bruno's, Spanish Fort at the intersection of Hwys. 31 & 98 at 8:00 AM, for those who will not bring a boat and/or may want to carpool. This group will still meet Carl Hlavenka at 9:00 AM at the Shell Station and caravan from there to Rice Creek Landing. Please call or email Carl in advance, to let him know who is coming, so he will not leave anyone behind.

Conservation and Natural Resources Expo
Saturday, October 22, 2005 - 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Faulkner State Community College - Fairhope Campus

The Expo will be one of the many events in the 2005 Alabama Coastal BirdFest. The MBCAKC is thinking about exhibiting, either on our own, or together with Fairhope Boat Co., if they are interested. This could be a great way to get the word out about our club activities to a targeted audience of birdlovers and general outdoor enthusiasts.

This event is coming up very soon, so we will need to decide if we will participate or not, WITH ENOUGH MEMBER INTEREST, at our October 4th meeting. For anyone interested in leading or helping with this endeavor, such as booth design, materials development, manning the booth for various shifts or for the day, please come to our meeting on October 4th.

****FLASH PADDLE**** AUTUMNAL EQUINOX +2 SATURDAY NIGHT TO WHISKEY DITCH

Date: Saturday, September 24, 2005
Time: 5:45 PM
Place: Old Riverdocs on the Causeway, Spanish Fort, AL
Directions: From Mobile, take the Causeway (or I-10 to the mid-bay exit 30 and turn left) and go to the parking lot on the left about 100 meters before reaching Ed's Seafood Shed. From the Eastern Shore, take the Causeway past Ed's about 100 meters and turn into the lot on the right.
Contact: Brint Adams 251-583-9919 (call Sat. afternoon if the weather looks iffy)
Comments: We will paddle east down Pass Picada, then north up Apalachee River to Whiskey Ditch, to watch the sun set and return under the half-full moon. Some may want to bring along cheese, etc. and cup for a taste of the grape, during our stop in the middle of the delta. The roundtrip will be roughly four miles. Remember to bring a safety light for after-dark paddling. Those interested may meet afterwards at a local restaurant.

Bayou Jessamine - Today's Conditions
Sunday, September 18, 2005
by Ian Brosnan

I arrived at Rice Creek Landing about 10:30 AM, planning to head to the Indian Mounds via Bayou Jessamine. I went alone and lightly loaded this time. The water levels at Rice Creek were much lower than the last time I was there, but still easy paddling out to Briar Lake. I saw two gators, one in Briar Lake and the other at the mouth of Jessamine Bayou, herons, and lot of turtles laying out in the sunshine. Bayou Jessamine itself is a mess, I was out of the boat half a dozen times before I got to the split for Jug Lake. I was glad I went light as I hauled the kayak over several trees and even had to swim alongside the boat at one point when it wouldn't float over the debris with me in it (the debris wouldn't support my weight, so in I went).

I figured that given the difficulty of passing through Jessamine, there wouldn't be any gators around, but about a quarter mile past the Jug Lake split, I rounded the corner to find a gator slightly larger than my kayak forcing, it's way across the debris pile about fifty feet in front of me. Luckily it was heading away from me and after I shoved my heart back where it belongs and did a little risk assessment, I decided that I didn't give a fig about the Indian Mounds and wouldn't it be nice to see if I could paddle through to the Jug Lake platform and enjoy my cold pizza there?

Well folks, Jug Lake is easily accessible and contains at least two more alligators, one of which is of a decent size and has the disconcerting habit of surfacing in front of you, then swimming along for a few minutes, before thrashing around like crazy and disappearing from sight. Cold pizza never tasted so good. The trip back from Jug Lake was easier than the trip in as the water level had risen, so several of the logs that I had to carry the kayak over were sufficently submerged for me to glide over them.

So, the first half of Jessamine is passable, especially at high water, and if anyone wants to go through with a saw and clear some of the debris, I will be happy to go back. The bigger logs are going to need chainsaw action, but I am sure someone will do that before too long.

Editor - The key here for anyone wanting to paddle Bayou Jessamine in the near future, is to plan your trip when the water level is up, or at least not at low tide. We are in contact with Alabama State officials to advise them of further debris removal needs at lower water levels. You may look at the tide tables here for more information.

****FLASH PADDLE**** FULL MOON SATURDAY NIGHT

Date: Saturday, September 17, 2005
Time: 5:45 PM
Place: Old Riverdocs on the Causeway, Spanish Fort, AL
Directions: From Mobile, take the Causeway (or I-10 to the mid-bay exit 30 and turn left) and go to the parking lot on the left about 100 meters before reaching Ed's Seafood Shed. From the Eastern Shore, take the Causeway past Ed's about 100 meters and turn into the lot on the right.
Contact: Brint Adams 251-583-9919
Comments: We will paddle north into Chacaloochee Bay to Conway Creek and either into Bateau Bay or Savage's Ditch to watch the sun set and return under the full moon. The roundtrip will be roughly four miles. Remember to bring a safety light for after dark paddling. Those interested may meet afterwards at a local restaurant.

RESCHEDULED - KAYAK & SNORKEL FIELD TRIP for the Southern Association of Marine Educators & the Environmental Education Association of Alabama

Econfina Creek, Chipola River, Holmes Creek and Seven Runs Creek all north of Panama City, FL

Date: October 14 - 16, 2005
Time: Noon on Friday through Sunday afternoon

Join us for three days of fun and exploration in the creeks and springs of northwest Florida! We have put together a kayak trip for SAME & EEAA members. The trip is also open to all other paddlers as well. It will be held Friday, Oct. 14th through Sunday, Oct. 16th and will be led by Sonya Wood Mahler.

On Friday, beginning at noon, we will paddle along Econfina Creek, the drinking water supply for the city of Panama City. We will tuck into several gorgeous springs where you can swim, snorkel, or just play with the tadpoles. On Saturday morning, we will launch at the boat ramp in Florida Caverns State Park near Marianna. We'll paddle up the Chipola River and explore cypress-lined inlets. Saturday afternoon, participants can go on a 45-minute tour of the caves and hike the nature trail that takes you up the rocky bluffs towering over the river. On Sunday morning, we will paddle up Holmes Creek just south of Chipley, FL to Cypress Springs, another great place for snorkeling. On the drive back, for those who haven't gotten enough of crystal-clear water, we will stop and paddle for a couple of hours on Seven Runs Creek, located just south of I-10 near Ponce de Leon Springs.

The size of the group will be limited to 18 people to insure that we have a good experience and have the opportunity to see some wildlife. For those who do not have their own kayak, we will rent single sea kayaks from Gulf & Delta Canoe & Kayak Co., in Whitehouse Fork, AL. Sonya will lead a session for beginners on how to paddle and how to get in and out of the boats. The minimum age for participants is 12. We will spend Friday and Saturday nights in a motel in Chipley, FL, just off I-10. Chipley is a three-hour drive from the Daphne/Spanish Fort I-10 exit in Alabama.

The registration cost of the field trip is $25 per person. This fee covers guide service, insurance, bottled water and fruit juices, and first aid supplies. Add $30 if you would like to rent a kayak. Add $10 if you would like Sonya to transport the kayak that you rent or your own kayak from Baldwin County, AL. Each person should make their own motel reservations (Super 8 at 850-638-8530: $64.99 + tax per night or Holiday Inn Express at 850-638-3996: $79.95 + tax per night).

For details, contact Rhonda Bryars at 251-937-7176 or bryarrm@aces.edu or to confirm your reservation. Rhonda will mail you a registration confirmation, a map showing where to meet at noon on Friday, a paddling resource packet, and information on how you can join SAME or EEAA. We have checks from some of you. We still need payment from others. When you contact Rhonda, please let her know if you will be meeting us at the Oasis Truck Stop on the north side of the Wilcox Road I-10 exit 53, or at the BP station on the south side of the Ponce de Leon I-10 exit 96.

***SPECIAL UPDATE*** DOG RIVER CLEANUP

re: September 17, 2005 8:00 AM Dog River Cleanup,
Lushcer Park, Mobile, AL - Rob Nykvist 251-423-0015

Due to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Rob will not be leading the scheduled clean up paddle at Luscher Park on the 17th. This does not mean that the 2005 Coastal Cleanup has been cancelled.

From http://www.alcoastalcleanup.org/cleanup-zones/ (The Alabama Coastal Cleanup Website:)
"Due to Hurricane Katrina, some Cleanup Zones have been cancelled. Please contact Amy King at 251-929-0900 to confirm Cleanup Zone participation for September 17, 2005"