Time to get creative. Summer on the Gulf Coast usually means salt water fun but, thanks to millions of gallons of oil, we will have to find something else to do.
There is always the Mobile-Tensaw Delta but frankly the mosquitoes and other critters up there make it difficult to enjoy in the summer, at least when you have a four year old coming along. I was driving home from court in Bay Minette the other day when I remembered how much fun it is to paddle the swift creeks in the area.
The Styx River is a beautiful back woods adventure. The Styx has a current and maintains a good flow throughout the summer. There are commercial outfitters who service the river. Unfortunately they tend to load up the river on any given weekend in the summer, so if you are looking for solitude go somewhere else, or go during the week.
A few years ago the Styx River had a widely publicized problem with a rough element drinking, fighting and acting like fools, but the Baldwin County Sheriff and the Alabama Marine Police started patrolling the river and the problem seems to have been resolved, or at least suppressed.
Please note that while coolers are perfectly acceptable on the river you may not have glass or Styrofoam. If you see a law enforcement officer do not be surprised if they inspect your cooler for these banned items. While some may argue there are unlawful search issues here I would suggest cooperation. It is not that big of an intrusion and it keeps us all safe. Unless you are intoxicated or otherwise unsafe to yourself or others the officers are not going to bother you. It is a long haul back to the pokey, which tends to put the officer in defensive mode. Be nice, courteous and safe and you are not likely to have any problems.
River access is not ideal. The outfitters use a put-in on River Road just west of the Brady Road steel bridge. It is inadvisable to leave your vehicle at the put-in. The river is just a short carry from the road.
If you plan to do the upper section of the river I recommend you call one of the outfitters for a shuttle to the put-in. They may give a discount from their normal rental rates if you plan to use your own boat. However, you should consider renting one of their boats. This river is not technical, although the swift water can be challenging, so your Cadillac canoe is not really necessary. Plus, forgoing the hassle of loading and unloading your own boat can be a nice break.
The lower reaches of the river are not as easy to access and one look at Google Earth will tell you some stretches are as remote as you are going to get in the East. Much of the lower river is surrounded by wetlands and thick forest from which you would really not want to have to walk out. More advanced planning is going to be required to run the lower stretches.
Over the next few posts I am going to make a plan and implement it. I will keep you posted with my progress and, now that I have my cell phone linked up for mobile updates, I hope to give you some on the water reports. Stay tuned for more!
