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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.