Thursday, July 3, 2014
Saturday, July 17, 2010
What a Trip!
We had a great time on the Styx River trip! The weather was extremely cooperative. It never rained a drop!
This is a picture of the only rapid on the river, which happens to also be the only rapid in south Alabama!
The "long trip" was no problem. After a slow start this morning I was afraid the four children we had with us would give out but they hung in there the whole time and had a blast.
When we met up with the tubers at the seven mile mark thing got a little crowded, but everyone was friendly and easy going so we had no problems.
I am going to give a more detailed trip report later, but for now consider the trip a success!
Success!
Wow! What a beautiful day. Will Mastin and his three girls are out
here with Kelley and me! We are having a great time!
here with Kelley and me! We are having a great time!
Rain Go Away!
The forecast does not look good for our Styx River trip: 80% chance of heavy rain and thunderstorms. Nevertheless, this is a typical summertime forecast for South Alabama and we know that means patchy hit-or-miss conditions. Of course it is the "hit" part we are worried about, especially with children coming along.
I am going to be at the outfitter at 9:30 this morning regardless. If conditions look bad we may scrap the trip for another day or we could take the short 4 mile trip. I am hopeful it will turn out to be a nice day!
I am going to be at the outfitter at 9:30 this morning regardless. If conditions look bad we may scrap the trip for another day or we could take the short 4 mile trip. I am hopeful it will turn out to be a nice day!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Link to Outfitter with Driving Directions
This is a link to the outfitter we will be using: www.floatstyx.com
The site includes rental rates and driving directions. We are doing
the full day trip, not the short trip.
Let me know if you have questions!
Styx River Trip Plan Update
We are going to have a good trip! We are meeting at Styx River Canoe
at 9:30am on Saturday.
at 9:30am on Saturday.
I have decided not to haul my boat out there since the outfitter will
do all the work. If you would like to bring your boat that is fine
but be prepared to pay for a shuttle. There is no secure parking at
the put-in so an outfitter shuttle is the only way to go.
I will post more details including directions and rental rates shortly!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Styx River Trip Planning Begins...
I just found two very informative sites to help with planning this trip:
www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/freshwater/where/rivers/styx/
and
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?02377570
The first is the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' Outdoor Alabama page for the Styx River. The second is the US Geological Survey link for the Styx River water levels. Both sites provide a great deal of useful information about outdoor recreation in Alabama so you may want to bookmark these sites for future reference.
As the temperature continues to rise I am really getting excited about this trip!
www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/freshwater/where/rivers/styx/
and
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?02377570
The first is the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' Outdoor Alabama page for the Styx River. The second is the US Geological Survey link for the Styx River water levels. Both sites provide a great deal of useful information about outdoor recreation in Alabama so you may want to bookmark these sites for future reference.
As the temperature continues to rise I am really getting excited about this trip!
Saturday, June 19, 2010
The Next Adventure
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!
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!
Saturday, June 5, 2010
In Case You Are Wondering
I have not posted anything in more than a year. Well, I have been a little busy.
I have expanded my law practice to include bankruptcy and it is really rolling! Everyone is experiencing some degree of financial difficulty these days. Unfortunately, the Gulf Coast, which was just getting back on its feet following the real estate bubble burst, is now being covered in oil. I am expecting the bankruptcy practice to go through the roof as long as I can keep up.
I have also joined with two other attorneys: David Whetstone and Andrew Harrell. We can offer a wider variety of services and we are working well together. We have a website if you are interested: www.harrellandwhetstone.com (They started it before I came on board so my name is not in the address but you will see it on the page!)
I also took over a radio show called "Law Talk" which was formerly hosted by Tommy Bear. The show is on WHEP 1310AM at 10:35am on Fridays. I usually pick a legal topic and run with it, but I sometimes have guests. The public is invited to call with questions so the show can take unusual turns. The show is available through streaming audio on whep1310.com. I am hoping they will eventually add an archive feature so you can listen to old shows too. Check it out!
I do get out and about when I can. The gheenoe I wrote about last February has been a blast. My daughter and I love to run up and down the rivers in it. It is fuel efficient too which makes it so much easier to spend all day on the water.
I am planning a canoe and kayak trip to the delta soon. Perhaps I will see you out there!
I have expanded my law practice to include bankruptcy and it is really rolling! Everyone is experiencing some degree of financial difficulty these days. Unfortunately, the Gulf Coast, which was just getting back on its feet following the real estate bubble burst, is now being covered in oil. I am expecting the bankruptcy practice to go through the roof as long as I can keep up.
I have also joined with two other attorneys: David Whetstone and Andrew Harrell. We can offer a wider variety of services and we are working well together. We have a website if you are interested: www.harrellandwhetstone.com (They started it before I came on board so my name is not in the address but you will see it on the page!)
I also took over a radio show called "Law Talk" which was formerly hosted by Tommy Bear. The show is on WHEP 1310AM at 10:35am on Fridays. I usually pick a legal topic and run with it, but I sometimes have guests. The public is invited to call with questions so the show can take unusual turns. The show is available through streaming audio on whep1310.com. I am hoping they will eventually add an archive feature so you can listen to old shows too. Check it out!
I do get out and about when I can. The gheenoe I wrote about last February has been a blast. My daughter and I love to run up and down the rivers in it. It is fuel efficient too which makes it so much easier to spend all day on the water.
I am planning a canoe and kayak trip to the delta soon. Perhaps I will see you out there!
OIL SPILL NIGHTMARE
The smell of deisel fuel permeates the breeze. I live a few miles inland from Mobile Bay. Usually a south wind brings the pleasant scent of salt and a Saturday means outside. Today I have decided to be indoors most of the day. This is just the beginning of this tragedy. When and how will it end?
Friday, February 13, 2009
My Gheenoe Project
My daughter and I were driving down Highway 231 through Cropwell returning from a hunting trip in North Alabama with a brief stop off at Lock 4. I had been keeping my eyes open for a small fishing/hunting/exploring boat for several months. In a small front yard I saw just what I was looking for: a beat up old Gheenoe.
I am not talking about a wildebeest. It is a small canoe-inspired fiberglass boat with a square stern and a hard chined hull. This particular craft was about 13' long, had a 15 hp Evinrude outboard, a trailer, and a need for some serious TLC.
They wanted $800.00. I offered $500.00. They took it!
I did not take a picture of the boat in its state as purchased because, well, it was just too ugly. The previous owner had done some fiberglass work to repair damage to the leading edge of the bow and had rebuilt and reinforced the transom to better handle the torque of the 15 hp outboard. He had also painted it sky blue, the absolutely wrong color for my purposes.
As best I can tell, the boat was originally a 15'4" model. The transom repair resulted in a boat 2' shorter than the original. I did not realise this, of course, until I got home and did some research. As yet I have discovered no issues with this modification other than the rear seat is so close to the transom it makes steering with the tiller a bit uncomfortable. The owner had built a seat extension supported by a metal bracket but the plywood was rotted away and I had to remove it.
After calling my wife and explaining to her I just had to buy the boat (our three year old daughter was for it from the beginning and was quite enthusiastic), I started dreaming of what I was going to do to make the boat safe, fun and useful.
The Gheenoe has the advantage of being paddle friendly, so a broken-down motor, gas shortage or skinny water will be no problem. My intention had been to find a 14-16' aluminium jon boat but this craft is actually better suited for weaving in and out of the winding, shallow creeks in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta where I plan to use it.
My guiding principle with this boat is keep it simple. Other boats of mine got so complicated with electronics, gadgets and useless add-ons I got sick of fooling with them. This boat is going to be the one I can ignore until I need it, then hook up the trailer and launch. It is too small, in my opinion, to fill with all the usual junk (a look at some of the tricked-out Gheenoes on www.customgheenoe.com will have you questioning this assertion).
My first project was to clean up the boat and paint it flat duck boat green. This improved the look of it in my eyes and set the tone for the rest of the work.
I used Krylon Ultra Flat Camo Green Spray paint available just about anywhere. I also used Rustoleum's version which appears to be the same color. The great thing about painting a duck boat is you do not have to bother with precision or making it pretty. Just spray everything. I lost count of how many cans it took to get good coverage, but I would guess 8 cans. I also will keep a can on hand for touch ups.
After getting good coverage on the boat inside and out I started on the outboard. Engines are more difficult because grease and paint do not get along, so I had to clean the motor with a degreaser and let it dry thoroughly. I taped off the water intakes and any other area I thought did not need paint, like the tiller grip, the pull handle and the gas fitting.
I was hoping the can of Zinc Chromate Primer I purchased on the recommendation of the guy at the boat store would suffice for camo purposes, but it was too bright green. I had to repaint with more ultra-flat green. Unfortunately I must not have removed all the grease from the foot of the motor because some of the paint came off after my first wet run. No big deal, just have to spray it some more.
It was about 15 degrees outside when I bought the boat so I made only a cursory inspection of the boat's trailer while freezing in the seller's front yard. I checked it again when we stopped for a break but I did not notice the missing lug bolts until we got all the way home. Both wheels were missing one lug bolt. Luckily the other three lugs were snug, the Gheenoe is a very light load and I guess I was just lucky.
In other respects the trailer was in decent shape besides rust. I used a Scotchbrite wheel to knock off the rust then coated all the metal surfaces I could reach with Rustoleum trailer paint. It now looks much better. I also bought some remnant carpet for the bunks which I attached with some old roofing nails.
I had to buy a gas tank for the outboard, a gas line, a bow light, some boat numbers, and a few small electrical connections. I had to retrofit a kill switch onto the outboard and added a Doelfin hydrofoil. I have spent less than $200 on the renovation, most of it on spray paint!
I modified an old, short stern light I had left over from a previous project. To make it long enough to meet regulations (the stern light is supposed to be one meter higher than the bow lights) I used a piece of 3/4" PVC pipe, some wire and a two-wire connector from Radio Shack. When in use the light pole sits in a PVC rod holder screwed into the transom and the wire plugs into the power wire with the two-prong connector. When not in use the light pole can be removed and stored on the floor. I ran the wiring through the rub rail and into the middle bench seat.
The lights are powered by a nifty 12-volt power pack I found at Home Depot. It holds eight D-cell batteries and connects to the light wires via a cigarette-lighter type connection. I am not sure how this arrangement is going to work. It seems preferable to a large marine battery solely for lights. I will be able to carry an extra set of batteries and easily replace them. However, I am not crazy about throwing batteries away, so I will have to get some rechargables.
I took her out for a wet test last Sunday, a beautiful warm and sunny day for February on the Gulf Coast. It was the easiest launch from a trailer I have ever made. Pulling her out was easy too. It makes a big difference to have a craft light enough to lift onto the bunks.
I was impressed with the stability of the Gheenoe. I can stand and walk around in the boat without any of the wobbly feel I get in a canoe. This is going to be a big plus when hunting and fishing.
I did have a few issues during my first Gheenoeing trip. The outboard is a 1982 15 hp Evinrude. I knew the previous owner used the boat recently but I have no idea whether the outboard received regular maintenance. It does not take long to ruin a motor if the cooling system does not work so I was very mindful of the indicator stream at the back of the motor.
The outboard was an electric start originally but the starter was removed, which is fine with me. I was pleased when it started up on the first pull of the starter rope. Unfortunately the indicator stream was just dripping. I was concerned there may be some water pump issues, maybe a worn out impeller or worse. But I was prepared with a short length of wire which I threaded up into the indicator hole. After a few pushes I dislodged a big blob of sand blocking the discharge port and I was back in business with a nice strong stream.
I watched the motor for a while to be sure the stream continued and to listen for any trouble, then idled out into the Magnolia River. I took it slow at first, not really sure how this little boat was going to handle. As I got out into the main channel and had a clear path I slowly twisted the tiller handle to accelerate to planing speed.
I had my GPS on the floor set to monitor speed. During acceleration the bow rose up, as all boats tend to do, but it was not excessive. (I had to add the cooler full of window weights in the bow which made a big difference in keeping the bow down!) At about 10 mph the boat came out of the hole and began to level to plane. Once I got to 14 mph I was flying!
It did take a while to get used to the boat's handling characteristics. At planing speed it did not take much movement of the tiller to turn the boat. I was happy to find the boat was stable and solid on turns. As with all boats, there is some reduction in speed during a turn but the Gheenoe popped back into plane easily upon straightening out of a turn.
Crossing large wakes was a little scary at first but eventually I got used to it. Large wakes did require me to slow down however.
When the boat reached about 17 mph the bow began porpoising. I have encountered this problem with other boats and kind of expected it with this one. I did have about fifty pounds of weight in a cooler in the bow to combat this issue. The extra weight probably did help and even more weight, like another adult up front, probably would have helped considerably.
I have since added the Doelfin, which is said to resolve at least some of this problem. I have not had an opportunity to test it. Nevertheless, 16.5 mph is much faster than I was going using paddle power, so I have no complaints. If it gets much faster it will not be as fun anyway. I'll just have to go easy on the gas!
I still have some modifications in mind. I am going to add a back deck to allow me to sit farther toward the bow and thus more comfortably handle the tiller. I will also be able to stand on it and will have a little storage under the deck. There may be a few other things, but I am trying to stick to the keep it simple principle.
All things considered, I am very pleased with my new boat. It is stable, simple and fun to operate. I am looking forward to poking around in the Delta, on the Magnolia and Fish Rivers, and maybe even into the bay on calm days. It is not what I consider a big water boat, but I am confident with careful handling it can handle the chop and currents sometimes encountered around here.
I'll keep you posted . . .
Friday, December 26, 2008
Jug Lake Canoe Camping Trip, December 16 & 17, 2006
This is a short video of the camping trip Paige and I took on December 16-17, 2006 to the Jug lake Platform on the Bartram Canoe Trail in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Gulf State Park "Primative" Camping
A few weekends ago I was sitting in front of a fire at home when a friend, Scott, called to ask if my three year old daughter, Kelley, and I wanted to join him and his four year old son, Wyatt, for a camping trip at the Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
The Gulf State Park camping area is on the north side of Middle Lake which is just east of Lake Shelby. While the campground is geared more toward RV camping, we were comfortable in our tents. There are picnic tables at each site, small charcoal grills and RV-type hook-ups for water, sewer and electric. Tent camping is definitely not the norm, but there were other tents scattered about.
Camping with children can be especially challenging and having a clean bathroom nearby is especially helpful. If you camp with kids it is a good idea to ask for a site close to the bathroom. The Park's restroom was just across the street from our campsite and was clean, well-lighted and convenient.
Middle Lake does have alligators and snakes, so keep an eye out for them in warmer weather. I have seen snakes in South Alabama even in winter months; if it is warm they may become active. Our campsite was on the lake so we had to be careful.
We tried some fishing but did not catch anything substantial. I did hook a small speckled trout but he got off the line before I could bring him in. I understand the park lakes are still recovering from the damage done by recent hurricanes, so the fishing may be better in the future. It would have been easy to launch a canoe from the bank, which would have opened up the fishing opportunities on the lake. (Note: The new and improved Gulf State Park fishing pier is slated to open in March, 2009, which will allow convenient no-boat access to some excellent salt water fishing.)
We had a good time during the evening. We built a campfire in the small iron grill. It provided some ambiance, but not a lot of heat since the grill is about three feet off the ground. Much to my surprise Kelley fell asleep around six o'clock, so I was able to relax in front of the fire without keeping up with her.
One thing we did not expect was Hank Williams, Jr. At first I thought one of our neighbors was being inconsiderate, but I finally realised we were hearing a concert at The Wharf, an amphitheater venue in Orange Beach. Thankfully the music did not last too late so it was not really a big problem. I don't imagine the people in RVs could hear the concert, but in our tents it was loud and clear. If the music would bother you I suggest checking the concert schedule before planning a trip. Hank wasn't too bad, but a heavy metal band could be different!
We were up at sunrise in the morning and were able to enjoy the sound of waves crashing on the beach. Kelley and Wyatt got to play while Scott and I enjoyed a cup of coffee. Kelley and I had some plans for later in the morning so we all packed up and were out of the campground by nine o'clock or so.
Kelley and I had a great time at the Gulf State Park. I would recommend the campground to families interested in camping with convenience. There are many recreational opportunities in the Park, including biking, nature trails, boating, fishing and golf. In addition, the cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have excellent restaurants and entertainment. Additional information on the park can be found at http://www.outdooralabama.com.
The Gulf State Park camping area is on the north side of Middle Lake which is just east of Lake Shelby. While the campground is geared more toward RV camping, we were comfortable in our tents. There are picnic tables at each site, small charcoal grills and RV-type hook-ups for water, sewer and electric. Tent camping is definitely not the norm, but there were other tents scattered about.
Camping with children can be especially challenging and having a clean bathroom nearby is especially helpful. If you camp with kids it is a good idea to ask for a site close to the bathroom. The Park's restroom was just across the street from our campsite and was clean, well-lighted and convenient.
Middle Lake does have alligators and snakes, so keep an eye out for them in warmer weather. I have seen snakes in South Alabama even in winter months; if it is warm they may become active. Our campsite was on the lake so we had to be careful.
We tried some fishing but did not catch anything substantial. I did hook a small speckled trout but he got off the line before I could bring him in. I understand the park lakes are still recovering from the damage done by recent hurricanes, so the fishing may be better in the future. It would have been easy to launch a canoe from the bank, which would have opened up the fishing opportunities on the lake. (Note: The new and improved Gulf State Park fishing pier is slated to open in March, 2009, which will allow convenient no-boat access to some excellent salt water fishing.)
We had a good time during the evening. We built a campfire in the small iron grill. It provided some ambiance, but not a lot of heat since the grill is about three feet off the ground. Much to my surprise Kelley fell asleep around six o'clock, so I was able to relax in front of the fire without keeping up with her.
One thing we did not expect was Hank Williams, Jr. At first I thought one of our neighbors was being inconsiderate, but I finally realised we were hearing a concert at The Wharf, an amphitheater venue in Orange Beach. Thankfully the music did not last too late so it was not really a big problem. I don't imagine the people in RVs could hear the concert, but in our tents it was loud and clear. If the music would bother you I suggest checking the concert schedule before planning a trip. Hank wasn't too bad, but a heavy metal band could be different!
We were up at sunrise in the morning and were able to enjoy the sound of waves crashing on the beach. Kelley and Wyatt got to play while Scott and I enjoyed a cup of coffee. Kelley and I had some plans for later in the morning so we all packed up and were out of the campground by nine o'clock or so.
Kelley and I had a great time at the Gulf State Park. I would recommend the campground to families interested in camping with convenience. There are many recreational opportunities in the Park, including biking, nature trails, boating, fishing and golf. In addition, the cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have excellent restaurants and entertainment. Additional information on the park can be found at http://www.outdooralabama.com.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Tractors Are Just Plain Difficult.
My daughter, Kelley, and I met my brother, Jamey, and his two sons in Lower Peach Tree this past weekend. The plan was to cut some of the roads and a few of the old fields and maybe plant some wildlife food plots. We also planned to install two gates and a fence at the now wide-open end of a power line that cuts across the property.
I admit our plans were ambitious. Jamey and the boys came down Friday night hauling our tractor with the post hole digger attachment. Kelley and I drove up Saturday morning with a friend's bush hog and box blade. If you have never hauled a tractor you may not understand how monumental the undertaking can be. You see, tractors are just plain difficult.
Kelley and I left Saturday morning but had to make a few stops for supplies, so we did not get up there until after noon. We dug some post holes and cut some grass, but we ended up working on the bush hog for a while and before long it was dark.
Kelley woke me up at sunrise, as she does daily, and we went for a walk along the ridge. We saw five deer playing under the power line. When we got back to camp Jamey showed me the front tire on the tractor was flat. We were able to inflate it but it kept leaking through the day.
Jamey was able to cut the Downtown Field and Road and part of the Middle Road, but the tire eventually could not take any more abuse and lay flat for good. It took us a couple more hours to load all the equipment back on the trailers and get on the road.
We did not accomplish everything we planned to do, but considering the tractor troubles we did alright. Kelley and I got home last night at about 8:00pm, worn out and tired of fooling with tractors!
I admit our plans were ambitious. Jamey and the boys came down Friday night hauling our tractor with the post hole digger attachment. Kelley and I drove up Saturday morning with a friend's bush hog and box blade. If you have never hauled a tractor you may not understand how monumental the undertaking can be. You see, tractors are just plain difficult.
Kelley and I left Saturday morning but had to make a few stops for supplies, so we did not get up there until after noon. We dug some post holes and cut some grass, but we ended up working on the bush hog for a while and before long it was dark.
Kelley woke me up at sunrise, as she does daily, and we went for a walk along the ridge. We saw five deer playing under the power line. When we got back to camp Jamey showed me the front tire on the tractor was flat. We were able to inflate it but it kept leaking through the day.
Jamey was able to cut the Downtown Field and Road and part of the Middle Road, but the tire eventually could not take any more abuse and lay flat for good. It took us a couple more hours to load all the equipment back on the trailers and get on the road.
We did not accomplish everything we planned to do, but considering the tractor troubles we did alright. Kelley and I got home last night at about 8:00pm, worn out and tired of fooling with tractors!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Vacationing in a Bad Economy
Gas is coming down from the $4.00 mark, but $2.75 is bad enough to cramp the vacation budget. It is time to examine the local getaways. In my area we have adventure opportunities around every corner: hunting, fishing, camping, biking, hiking, golf, sailing, and much more. I used to think I had to be far away to "be away", but if I am in the woods (without my cell phone) am I not far enough? Take a look around and get outside. Do not let these tough times make you feel you cannot take some time for stress relief. Find something local, ride your bike there and have some fun!
Sunday, September 14, 2008
I've Been Away Too Long
So sorry. The last few weeks have been too hectic to write. Hurricanes on the horizon are distracting.
Like so many on the Gulf Coast we spent days preparing for Gustav. It blew a little and rained about .25" at my house, that is it. Not that I am complaining. We just got lucky.
Then Ike showed up and we were just too tired to get excited about it although the projections included our area in the realm of possible landfall. Although the eye hit Texas, the storm got pretty close and we were affected by the storm surge and wind gusts up to 35 mph.
We were supposed to go to New Orleans Saturday. An old friend was going to be there for a conference but Ike was just too close so we called it off. He sent me an email Thursday saying he and his wife got to the airport in San Fransisco, looked at the weather and decided Hawaii would be more relaxing. I am sure it was.
The line of tropical waves has subsided and we are feeling a little less anxious down here. Texas and Louisiana have to do some cleaning up and rescuing. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.
I am working on a story about a sailing trip I took with some friends in 1989, my last Spring Break as an undergraduate. It was quite an adventure and I hope I can entertain you with the story. Please check back in a few days for the first installment; it should be fun.
Like so many on the Gulf Coast we spent days preparing for Gustav. It blew a little and rained about .25" at my house, that is it. Not that I am complaining. We just got lucky.
Then Ike showed up and we were just too tired to get excited about it although the projections included our area in the realm of possible landfall. Although the eye hit Texas, the storm got pretty close and we were affected by the storm surge and wind gusts up to 35 mph.
We were supposed to go to New Orleans Saturday. An old friend was going to be there for a conference but Ike was just too close so we called it off. He sent me an email Thursday saying he and his wife got to the airport in San Fransisco, looked at the weather and decided Hawaii would be more relaxing. I am sure it was.
The line of tropical waves has subsided and we are feeling a little less anxious down here. Texas and Louisiana have to do some cleaning up and rescuing. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.
I am working on a story about a sailing trip I took with some friends in 1989, my last Spring Break as an undergraduate. It was quite an adventure and I hope I can entertain you with the story. Please check back in a few days for the first installment; it should be fun.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Why Do We Live Here
I think "why do we live here?"
as the wind blows from the South,
across the ocean water,
gathering rain in its mouth.
When it starts churning
and gathers speed,
we start looking around the house
to see if we have what we need.
Its like a lottery you don't buy a ticket for
but might lose anyway;
one day the skies are nice and calm,
the next you're blown away.
Then the storm passes through
and we pick up all the mess,
the limbs and sticks from everywhere;
it puts your patience to the test.
Before too long,
the blue skies return and we get a little rest,
we realise why we stay:
we think this place is the best.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Bartram Conoe Trail - Solo Adventure, Part II
The mosquitoes were eating me alive. I purchased a new spray bottle of 100% DEET before the trip and could picture it sitting on the floorboard of the passenger side of my truck back at the put in.
As it got darker the mosquitoes just got thicker. I was considering smearing my exposed skin with mud, an ancient but messy method I have read was used by Native Creeks and Choctaws, when I found a mosquito net in the bottom of the dry bag I had used to pack my sleeping bag.
I strung my throw rope between two trees in the campground, centered the canoe under it and hung the net from the rope. I lay my sleeping bag in the bottom of the canoe and crawled into the mosquito net. It took a while to swat all the mosquitoes that hitched a ride under the net with me, but once I got most of them I was able to relax a little. Even with the net tucked under my sleeping bag the mosquitoes would find a way in and buzz around my face.
I had been attacked so early I had no supper. I settled for a couple of energy bars and eventually fell into a fitful sleep to the drone of thousands of mosquito wings outside the net.
Mosquitoes were not the only thing I was worried about that night. Although the night was cool, it was still warm enough for snakes and alligators to be active. I also thought a few times about wild pigs and bears. I was also a little concerned about people although everyone I have encountered in the Delta has been friendly and helpful.
I had not been asleep long when I was awakened by the sound of a motorboat approaching on the river. When the boat’s spotlight began flashing through the camp I realized they were looking for the campsite.
As the boat approached I turned on my flashlight and flashed them back. I could see a guy standing on the front deck of the boat with a line ready to tie onto the landing.
When he noticed me he seemed surprised and yelled: “Are y’all camping?”
Not ready to announce I was alone, I replied: “Yes, we are camping!”
He yelled back to me: “We’re ‘coon hunting, guess we’ll release the dogs up the river some! Sorry to disturb you. Have a good night!”
They changed course upstream and were out of hearing range before long. I lay back down in the canoe and stared at the first quarter moon knowing I would have a hard time getting back to sleep.
In a few minutes I could hear the baying of the hounds released up river of the camp. It sounded to me as if the dogs had found the scent of a raccoon upon release. Their howling continued for about an hour, rising and falling, and finally reaching a frenzied climax. Eventually I got used to the sound and fell asleep again.
In the morning I rose with the sun, loaded the canoe as quickly as I could (the mosquitoes never abated) and launched into the Tensaw River for the second day of paddling. From the Two Rivers Campsite I paddled downstream to the northern opening of Bottle Creek. I paddled past the western opening of Bayou Jessamine and found the small beach at the trailhead to the Bottle Creek Indian Mounds.
The Bottle Creek site on Mound Island, which is a National Historic Site, consists of multiple Indian mounds. The tallest mound is approximately forty-five feet high. It is truly amazing to hike through the low bottomlands and find the high mound rising from the earth. There is a trail leading to the top of the mound but the view mainly consists of the top of the tree canopy.
Further information on the site can be found through the University of South Alabama’s Archaeology site at http://www.usouthal.edu/archaeology/bc-bottle_creek.htm.
Information is also available on the National Park Service, National Historic Landmarks Program website at http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1420&ResourceType=Site.
After visiting the mounds I pulled my canoe back in the water and headed back upstream, to the north, to the west entrance to Bayou Jessamine. The entrance is well marked with yellow Bartram Canoe Trail markers.
Bayou Jessamine is a narrow creek which connects Bottle Creek to the Tensaw River. It is tidally influenced, so at times the current may flow west from the Tensaw River toward Bottle Creek or east in the opposite direction.
(Note: Most of the Delta is tidally influenced, but especially in the lower reaches, so there is a possibility of water flowing in unexpected directions and creeks can seem to run dry in a matter of hours. If you find yourself high and dry you can either wait a few hours for the tide to come in or make a long, extremely muddy drag to deeper water.)
I happened to hit the creek while the tide was going out, so there was an easterly flow and I was having a good time being carried along on the current. Since I was not paddling more than correction strokes I was not making much noise.
I came around one bend and saw two old men sitting in a small fishing boat nestled up against the southern bank. They were fishing with long crappie poles and had the tips stuck up under the overhanging bank. They did not notice me as they were staring intently at their rod tips.
I was approaching their boat quickly and I did not want to surprise them, so I knocked my paddle against the side of my canoe. The old man in front almost jumped out of the boat when he glanced toward the sound and saw me gliding toward him. I hailed him and let him know I was sorry if I startled him. He and his friend, who I do not believe ever looked away from his rod tip, were clearly interested in continuing their fishing, so I just paddled on by.
When I reached the entrance to Jug Lake, which is about halfway down the bayou on the north side, I paddled in to take a look. Jug Lake is a beautiful shallow water lake tucked back in the Delta. The ADCNR now has a camping platform in Jug Lake which I have visited on several occasions; I will describe it in a later post.
After paddling to the end of Jug Lake I was running out of time so I made my way down Bayou Jessamine, across the Tensaw River, through Robinson Island and up Rice Creek to my truck.
I found my bug spray in the truck right where I left it. Despite the mosquitoes, I had a great trip. I allayed my doubts about a solo trip into the Delta and found all encounters therein to be enjoyable. If you are adventurous and take the proper precautions, you could enjoy a solo trip too. Just do not forget the bug spray!
As it got darker the mosquitoes just got thicker. I was considering smearing my exposed skin with mud, an ancient but messy method I have read was used by Native Creeks and Choctaws, when I found a mosquito net in the bottom of the dry bag I had used to pack my sleeping bag.
I strung my throw rope between two trees in the campground, centered the canoe under it and hung the net from the rope. I lay my sleeping bag in the bottom of the canoe and crawled into the mosquito net. It took a while to swat all the mosquitoes that hitched a ride under the net with me, but once I got most of them I was able to relax a little. Even with the net tucked under my sleeping bag the mosquitoes would find a way in and buzz around my face.
I had been attacked so early I had no supper. I settled for a couple of energy bars and eventually fell into a fitful sleep to the drone of thousands of mosquito wings outside the net.
Mosquitoes were not the only thing I was worried about that night. Although the night was cool, it was still warm enough for snakes and alligators to be active. I also thought a few times about wild pigs and bears. I was also a little concerned about people although everyone I have encountered in the Delta has been friendly and helpful.
I had not been asleep long when I was awakened by the sound of a motorboat approaching on the river. When the boat’s spotlight began flashing through the camp I realized they were looking for the campsite.
As the boat approached I turned on my flashlight and flashed them back. I could see a guy standing on the front deck of the boat with a line ready to tie onto the landing.
When he noticed me he seemed surprised and yelled: “Are y’all camping?”
Not ready to announce I was alone, I replied: “Yes, we are camping!”
He yelled back to me: “We’re ‘coon hunting, guess we’ll release the dogs up the river some! Sorry to disturb you. Have a good night!”
They changed course upstream and were out of hearing range before long. I lay back down in the canoe and stared at the first quarter moon knowing I would have a hard time getting back to sleep.
In a few minutes I could hear the baying of the hounds released up river of the camp. It sounded to me as if the dogs had found the scent of a raccoon upon release. Their howling continued for about an hour, rising and falling, and finally reaching a frenzied climax. Eventually I got used to the sound and fell asleep again.
In the morning I rose with the sun, loaded the canoe as quickly as I could (the mosquitoes never abated) and launched into the Tensaw River for the second day of paddling. From the Two Rivers Campsite I paddled downstream to the northern opening of Bottle Creek. I paddled past the western opening of Bayou Jessamine and found the small beach at the trailhead to the Bottle Creek Indian Mounds.
The Bottle Creek site on Mound Island, which is a National Historic Site, consists of multiple Indian mounds. The tallest mound is approximately forty-five feet high. It is truly amazing to hike through the low bottomlands and find the high mound rising from the earth. There is a trail leading to the top of the mound but the view mainly consists of the top of the tree canopy.
Further information on the site can be found through the University of South Alabama’s Archaeology site at http://www.usouthal.edu/archaeology/bc-bottle_creek.htm.
Information is also available on the National Park Service, National Historic Landmarks Program website at http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1420&ResourceType=Site.
After visiting the mounds I pulled my canoe back in the water and headed back upstream, to the north, to the west entrance to Bayou Jessamine. The entrance is well marked with yellow Bartram Canoe Trail markers.
Bayou Jessamine is a narrow creek which connects Bottle Creek to the Tensaw River. It is tidally influenced, so at times the current may flow west from the Tensaw River toward Bottle Creek or east in the opposite direction.
(Note: Most of the Delta is tidally influenced, but especially in the lower reaches, so there is a possibility of water flowing in unexpected directions and creeks can seem to run dry in a matter of hours. If you find yourself high and dry you can either wait a few hours for the tide to come in or make a long, extremely muddy drag to deeper water.)
I happened to hit the creek while the tide was going out, so there was an easterly flow and I was having a good time being carried along on the current. Since I was not paddling more than correction strokes I was not making much noise.
I came around one bend and saw two old men sitting in a small fishing boat nestled up against the southern bank. They were fishing with long crappie poles and had the tips stuck up under the overhanging bank. They did not notice me as they were staring intently at their rod tips.
I was approaching their boat quickly and I did not want to surprise them, so I knocked my paddle against the side of my canoe. The old man in front almost jumped out of the boat when he glanced toward the sound and saw me gliding toward him. I hailed him and let him know I was sorry if I startled him. He and his friend, who I do not believe ever looked away from his rod tip, were clearly interested in continuing their fishing, so I just paddled on by.
When I reached the entrance to Jug Lake, which is about halfway down the bayou on the north side, I paddled in to take a look. Jug Lake is a beautiful shallow water lake tucked back in the Delta. The ADCNR now has a camping platform in Jug Lake which I have visited on several occasions; I will describe it in a later post.
After paddling to the end of Jug Lake I was running out of time so I made my way down Bayou Jessamine, across the Tensaw River, through Robinson Island and up Rice Creek to my truck.
I found my bug spray in the truck right where I left it. Despite the mosquitoes, I had a great trip. I allayed my doubts about a solo trip into the Delta and found all encounters therein to be enjoyable. If you are adventurous and take the proper precautions, you could enjoy a solo trip too. Just do not forget the bug spray!
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