*****SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT*****

Dear Club Members:

September 2005 meeting cancellation

Due to the extensive damage the Fairhope Yacht Club sustained during Hurricane Katrina on August 29th, the Sept 6th monthly meeting will not be held. We will resume our monthly meetings on October 4th at a location to be announced at a later date.

In the meantime, if any members have trips or other announcements to make, please contact Brint at Brint's email

Gravine Island Paddle on Saturday, August 27, 2005 at 8:00 AM

Click here and page down to see more details.

Click here to read Gary Worob's trip report for the August moonlight paddle to the Dead Lake Island shelter, as only Gary could write it. Enjoy.

In case you have not noticed, we have links over in the right column to some member's personal blog sites, as well as a newly added blog for an interesting site over in North Florida. Just click on a link and you will see reports and great photos of the sights along the wonderful waterways we are blessed with on the Gulf Coast.

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

Styx River, AL

Date: Sunday, August 21, 2005
Time: 8:30 AM
Place: Oasis Truck Stop
Directions: I-10 to exit 54 at Wilcox Road
Contact: Mark Vance - phone 251.458.7574
Comments: Will be short paddle, however if people want it longer, they can run a shuttle. Some West Fl club people will be there. No need to contact Mark, just show up. But, if he doesn't know you are coming and you are running late, or there is a change of paddle plans, he will not know to wait for you or contact you. Bring water and snacks

*****FLASH*****UPDATE - FULL MOON PADDLE - FRIDAY NIGHT

Newly updated information has been added to the August Club Calendar listed below or click here to go directly to it.

****FLASH PADDLE**** BOILING CREEK

Boiling Creek, Eglin AFB Reserve, FL
Date: August 13, 2005
Time: 9:00 AM
Place: Meet at the Yellow River Bridge.
Directions: Travel east on I-10 to exit 31 in Florida and head south on Hwy. 87 toward Navarre. After driving a few miles, cross a long bridge over Yellow River and the surrounding swamp and turn left back toward the parking area next to the river.
Contact: Jane at 850-995-1063 or Tina at 850-994-0290 with West Florida Canoe Club for more details
Comments: Boiling Creek is somewhat narrow and twisty - so the ability to be able to turn your boat is a necessity. This is not a hard paddle, but a bit twisty. Bring snacks or lunch and plenty to drink - This trip requires a shuttle, so time will be spent shuttling drivers to their vehicles. Bring rain gear in the event of a rain shower. Bring sunscreen in the event of no rain shower. Paddle time will be determined by group size and speed - could be 3 1/2 hours, could be 5 hours. Come and enjoy.
Remember each paddler will need to carry a current green Eglin Recreation Permit FY05.

GARY WOROB WANTS HIS VIDEO BACK!!!

Gary loaned his video Path of the Paddle to someone and he does not remember who. It must be hell getting old like Gary! If you have it or know who does, please contact Gary to arrange it's return.

Call Gary - 850-259-9337 or email him at: gworob@yahoo.com


Returning to the Path


i have searched
high and low,
for a video
Path Of The Paddle.

in my behest
please return it
at my humble request,
otherwise i fear my mind will further me test!

in the past
i have it lent
and somewhere in my brain
it made an indent..

but, this time
it alludes
and no more brain cells
to puruse....

so, if you find it on
your shelf
please return it
with great stealth...

as it will be used
at the next club meeting
to bring in cheer and
favorable greeting....


thanks to whomever
you are...
help a quickly growing old man in
remembering back that far!

August Club Calendar

Bottle Creek Indian Mounds
Date: Saturday, August 6, 2005
Time: 9:00 AM
Place: Meet at the Stagecoach Inn, Stockton, AL (north of the I-65 & Hwy 225 intersection)
Contact: Brint Adams 251-583-9919
Comments: We will continue to Rice Creek Landing (no fee) and paddle to Jessamine Bayou and on to Bottle Creek to the Indian Mounds. We will take the short hike to the Mounds for lunch, and on the return we will stop at the floating platform on Jug Lake for a break. The trip will total around 11 miles and we will be back to Rice Creek by around 3:00-4:00 PM.

Gulf Islands National Seashore- Johnsons Beach
Date: Tuesday, Aug 9, 2005
Time: 5:30 PM
Place:
Contact: Bob Andrews 251-367-4144
Comments: Call Bob to sign up, get directions and more information. Will paddle up to sailboat cove, about 5-6 miles.

Full Moon Paddle and Potluck Dinner on the Platform
Date: Friday, August 19, 2005
Time: 6:00 PM
Place: Stagecoach Inn, Stockton, AL
Directions: Travel I-65 to exit 31 or north from Spanish Fort on Hwy 225 to I-65, go north about 3 miles to the Stagecoach Inn, Stockton, AL
Contact: Bob Andrews 251-367-4144
Comments: From the Stagecoach Inn, the group will travel either to Rice Creek Landing or Upper Bryant's Landing to put in. If from Rice Creek (no launch feel), the roundtrip will be about 9 miles to the Jug Lake platform. If from Upper Bryant's (nominal launch fee), the roundtrip will be about 6 miles to the Dead Lake platform. Bring good flashlight, PFD, bug spray and something good to share with the group for the potluck (a bag of chips will not do!), as well as drinks and eating utensils. The group will be back to parking lot by around 10:00-10:30 PM.

Ladies ONLY Paddle
Date: Thursday, August 25, 2005
Time: 5:30 PM
Place: Fairhope Yacht Club
Contact: Caroline Boothe - 251-928-1107
Comments: Caroline will lead another of her popular easy paddles along the bay or into Fly Creek. Drinks and eats after. Call her for more information.

Gravine Island, AL
Date: Saturday, August 27, 2005
Time: 7:45 AM at Bruno's or 8:00 AM at Byrnes Lake
Place: Byrnes Lake
Directions: We will meet at 7:45 AM at Bruno's in Spanish Fort, AL at Hwy 31 & 225 and caravan up Hwy 225 about 9 mi. and left to Byrnes Lake public boat launch. You may go directly to Byrnes Lake and meet at 8:00.
Contact: Brint Adams - 251-583-9919
Comments: The paddle will start on picturesque Byrnes Lake for 1.75 mi. to the Tensaw River, then circle around Gravine Island and explore the bayous on the west side. The trip will be about 10 miles and we should be back to the launch area by around noon. Bring plenty of fluids and a snack. The pace will be moderate.

18th Annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup
DATE: Saturday, September 17, 2005
LOCATION: Luscher Park Zone (Dog River)
TIME: 8:00 am - 12:00 Noon
FOOD: There will be free food at the picnic afterwards.
CONTACT: Rob Nykvist (251) 460-4646 (Work)(251) 423-0015 (Cell)
E-MAIL: kayaker@mchsi.com
SIGN UP TO PARTICIPATE NOW!
WANTED: Kayakers to help clean up Dog River.

At the July 2nd meeting. the following was discussed:

Gary talked about his volunteer work at the Marietta Johnson School of Organic Education – soliciting help with building of boats and marine biology to promote the school

Looking for someone with a projector to have a digital video show – also looking for a good VHS player to show Gary’s copy of Path and the Paddle

Gene Boothe would like to present his Appalachian Trail hike- need projector to hook up to a laptop.

Juli Day would like to have instruction in tying knots – Fritz would be a prime to lead a knot tying class.

Lisa Haywood wants to have an Old fashioned Dinner in the Delta Paddle, where in past years, we had major meals on trips – hot ribs, or chicken 'n dumplings or seafood gumbo – we need commitments from people and an organizer to get all the food on track.

If anyone has ideas for a good presentation, and name of someone to present something of interest to the club, please contact Harriet: hvk1457@aol.com 251-928-4568 – or Brint: brint.adams@us.army.mil 251-583-9919.

!!!!!!!!MEETING REMINDER!!!!!!!!

The next meeting of the Mobile Bay Canoe and Kayak Club will be on Tuesday, August 2, 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 upcoming paddles, we may have a speaker (yet to be communicated to me as of this morning).

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

Little Bateau Bay
Date: Saturday, July 30, 2005
Time: 8:00 AM (arrive by 7:45 or earlier, as we will leave at 8:00)
Place: Old Riverdocs parking lot on the north side of the Causeway about 100 meters west of Ed's Seafood Shed
Contact: Brint Adams 251-583-9919
Comments: This will be about an 8-10 mi. (maybe 12 mi.) paddle roundtrip, north into the delta up into Chacaloochee Bay, Conway Creek, Savage's Ditch into Little Bateau Bay to see if the Lotus are still blooming. We may possibly paddle on to Lower Crab Creek and Delvan Bay. We will be back before lunchtime. Bring plenty of water and a snack.

New Weblog link for your reading pleasure

Gregory Brown, a new Fairhope paddler, has started an interesting weblog with photos. Check it out by clicking on the link over in the right side column.

****FLASH****

Check out newly added information in the July Club Calendar below regarding the moonlight paddle this Sunday, July 17th.

July Club Calendar

Bay Grass
Date: Saturday, July 16, 2005
Time: 8:00 AM (arrive by 7:45 or earlier, as we will leave at 8:00)
Place: Public boat ramp next to Exxon by Felix's Fish Camp on Causeway near intersection with I-10.
Contact: Brint Adams 251-583-9919
Comments: This will be about an 8-10 mi. paddle roundtrip north into the delta up into Delvan Bay, Polecat Bay, Spanish River (past several osprey nests) and exploring Bay Grass Creek into Bay Grass and points not seen before.

Early Full Moon Paddle - Meaher State Park, Spanish Fort, AL
Date: Sunday, July 17, 2005
Time: 6:00 PM
Place: Meaher State Park boat ramp
Contact: Bob Andrews 251-367-4144
Directions: From Spanish Fort or Daphne, take the Causeway east, past the new Beach House Grill, cross over the Blakeley River bridge and immediately turn left before the chainlink fence that encloses the park. Do not go down to the main park entrance. From Mobile, get on the Causeway either in Mobile or take I-10 to the midpoint, where it crosses, and get off. Continue east past Ed's Seafood Shed, Blue Gill's, etc., cross the next bridge over Apalachee River and start looking on the right for Meaher State Park. Do not go into the main entrance. Drive past it and along the chainlink fence and turn right, down the driveway just past the fence and before you cross the Blakeley River bridge.
Comments: We will paddle up the Blakely River to Sardine Pass to Justins Bay. This will be a beginner-friendly paddle of about 3-4 miles. We will watch the sun set and when we turn around for the return, will be looking at the full moon to guide us back. For those inclined, we may dine at a local restaurant afterwards at around 8:30-9:00 PM.

Johnson's Beach, FL
Date: Saturday, July 23-24, 2005
Time: 5:00 PM
Contact: Juli Day - (h) 251-479-8368 or (cell) 251-377-0054
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 Juli, 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. We will return early Sunday morning.

Ladies Day Out
Date: Friday, July 29, 2005
Time: TBD
Place: TBD
Contact: Carolyn Boothe 251-928-1107
Comments: Call Carolyn for details closer to the date, which may change to Sunday, July 31st.

!!!!!!!!MEETING REMINDER!!!!!!!!

The next meeting of the Mobile Bay Canoe and Kayak Club will be on Tuesday, July 5, 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 upcoming paddles, our guest speaker will be Amy King, Public Education & Outreach Coordinator, State of AL, Conservation and Natural Resources, State Lands Division. Her presentation will be on the Bartram Canoe Trail AND a brief on the yet to be completed, but upcoming Orange Beach Canoe Trail.

Also available for member perusal, will be a hard copy two-volume set of the Main Pass Energy Hub LNG Deepwater Port Draft Environmental Impact Statement. As posted earlier, an informational public comment meeting will be held on July 18th in Grand Bay about this proposed action.

Horn Island Trip Report - click here to link.

Check out Tom Meyer's new trip report for his recent trip to Horn Island. Tom is quite a good storyteller, and he had a good one to tell. Happy reading!

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.

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.

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.

!!!!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.

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!