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August Meeting
The next meeting will be Tuesday, August 1st at 7pm in the Longleaf Room of Delta Hall.  
Special guest speaker announcement:

Two hundred and two years after the Lewis and Clark expedition left Fort Clatsop on the Pacific coast, Hank Landau (74) launched his kayak (from Oregon) and followed in their wake, on what he refers to as, his great misadventure. He kayaked up the Columbia and lower Snake Rivers, portaged the Rocky Mts. and then kayaked the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers to St. Louis. Although St Louis was to be the end of the trip, Hank continued on the less frequented Tennessee River route to Mobile where he was met with true southern hospitality. After a health related delay Hank is ready to pick up his paddle again and continue eastwards, perhaps reaching the Atlantic Ocean.

Hank will launch from Mobile on the morning of our meeting and cross the Mobile Bay to the Eastern Shore. Hank will join us at our meeting and be our guest speaker sharing some details of his "misadventure" and where he plans to paddle from here!   Please bring a friend and join us to hear Hank's story!

Paddles & Events

Events
August 19th - 6th Annual Paddle at the Porch - for more info:   https://paddleguru.com/races/6thAnnualPaddleatthePorch

 Paddles
Sunday, August 13 at 9am - Fish River Paddle
On Sunday, August 13 at 9 am meet at Big Daddy's Grill ( Ferry Rd near Highway 32). Kayaks are allowed to launch from the (closed) boat ramp, but we must then move our cars in the parking lot way away from the restaurant so as not to hinder patron parking. Let's respect the owner's wishes so he'll continue to allow kayak launches. We'll paddle upstream on Fish River. After the Highway 32 bridge, boats can't make wake and it's pleasant. We'll paddle for a couple hours then turn around when we want to. Nice easy paddle. Email or call me with questions. Leave me your number if you want updates of changes. I hope the weather is good. Home phone 251-990-5575. Near time of paddle only I'll have my dumb phone on, 251-454-6084. Bring pfd, sun screen, and (if you want) a snack. Nancy Ward

Friday, August 18 at 6pm - TGIF Paddle
What:  TGIF Sunset Paddle on Chickasaw Creek
When:   Friday, August 18, 6PM

Where: Off The Hook Marina and Grill  
621 US-43, Chickasaw, AL 36611
Phone: (251) 422-3412

Are you ready for a short, relaxing paddle to kick off the weekend? Come join us for a sunset paddle exploring the creeks around the marina. After the sun goes down, we’ll have burgers and beer at this waterside restaurant. There is a launch fee, so bring cash.  MUST bring all USCG required safety gear

DIRECTIONS: From I-65, Take Exit 13 to 158 Saraland. Turn right on 43 Saraland Blvd, and look for a gravel lot marina on the right before you cross the bridge. 


July Meeting
There will be no club meeting in July due to July 4th falling on our regular scheduled monthly meeting.   Everyone have a safe and Happy Independence Day!

June Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 6th at 7pm in the Longleaf Room of Delta Hall, Five Rivers Delta Resource Center.   Todd Durren, MBCKC member, will do a slideshow presentation entitled "Canoe and Kayak Camping in Lower Alabama:  My Favorite Five."
Everyone invite a friend and come out to learn about Todd's favorite paddling destinations and to share your own favorites!

Paddles

Saturday, July 22 9am   Pelican Point Paddle

Meet at Pelican Point end of (county road ?) 1 at 9 am. After we launch we can decide where to paddle based on waves, wind, etc. Choices are into Mobile or Weeks Bay---keeping near the shoreline---or into nearby marsh/wetlands close to our Weeks Bay Area. Bring PFD, water, sunscreen, hat, and anything else you think you'd like including a snack. Throughout the week I can be reached via email at wardn@earthlink.net or at home phone 251-990-5575. Just before the Paddle only call my dumb phone 251-454-6084. Letting me know you hope/plan to come does not oblige you , but I can notify you of any changes. The weather looks great for Saturday! Nancy Ward

Saturday, July 22 7am Hurricane Landing to Byrnes Lake
Flash paddle! Saturday, 07/21 at 7am.
Jarod is paddling and you are invited. Shuttle paddle from Hurricane Landing to Byrnes Lake. Be at Byrnes Lake 7am to leave a few vehicles and head to launch site. Probable route is to leave Hurricane Landing headed North, cross the Tensaw via the gas line cut, then head South on Big Briar Creek going back into the Tensaw with a stop on Gravine Island before going to Byrnes to take out. Bring all safety gear, snacks and fluids.
 

Friday, June 16 -   Todd's TGIF Paddle Party 

6 pm Friday, June 16       LAUNCH FEE:  $3

Off the Hook Marina and Grill in Chickasaw

Address: 621 US-43, Chickasaw, AL 36611

Phone: (251) 422-3412

Bring your kayak or canoe to this new restaurant in Chickasaw. It has plenty of parking and is right on the water. We’ll paddle around Chickasabogue Creek. Must have PFD and whistle.  Suggested:  Water and insect repellent (just in case!)  Bring a headlamp for visibility, and stick around for beer and po boys later!

Events

June  - Grandman Triathlon - June 3rd   - Need volunteers!!!  
Kayakers needed for water support for the swim portion of the race.  If you are interested, contact Harriet at hvk1457@aol.com

 June 3rd - Paddle Skedaddle -
Spend the morning on the water racing (or moseying) this 1.5 mile course with your family or as an individual! There will be awards, lots of fair games & concessions on the grounds!
Funds raised will go to support the University of South Alabama Wesley Foundation.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/paddle-skedaddle-2017-tickets-32696623481

August 5th - 5th Annual Weeks Bay Pelican Paddle - For more info:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2017-weeks-bay-foundation-pelican-paddle-canoe-and-kayak-race-tickets-33896727023

Water/Ways - Smithsonian Exhibit - November 18,2017 - January 6, 2018 - The Smithsonian’s Water/Ways exhibition dives into water--an essential component of life on our planet, environmentally, culturally, and historically.