Paddling Lower Alabama
Sunday, July 16, 2006
7/16/2006: Magnolia River
Trip Leader: Nancy Ward
Destination: Magnolia River
Launch: Rock Street, Magnolia Springs
Distance: Approximately 7.5 miles
Pace: Leisurely
Time: 3.5 hours
Weather: Humid with high temperature of 94 degrees. Partly cloudy with scattered rain and thunderstorms. The neap tide current was quite managable but stronger headwinds toward Weeks Bay created more of a challenge.
We put in 1 block down from the Highway 49 bridge at Rock Street. Top left: Ben gets his Tarpon 140 into the water. Top right: The group heads upstream past the Highway 49 bridge while taking in some sights along the way.
As we headed east on the river past the bridge we were able to enjoy a part of the river that powerboats could not due to shallow water and debris. Top left: Nancy and Bruce lead the way upstream. Top right: Therese gets a photo of the "photographer".
These photos are typical features of the landscape along the banks of Magnolia River
As we passed Schoolhouse Branch we navigated the narrow channel as far as we could. Top left: Faced with a roadblock of debris ahead, we decided to turn around to explore some of the lower parts of the river. Top right: This little guy would have had a better chance of continuing upstream than the rest of us.
Lilly pads and old boat houses are some other features of the Magnolia River banks.
I found it interesting that the United States Postal Service actually delivers mail by waterway in Magnolia Springs. I can't even get them to forward my mail correctly.
The wind picked up a bit as we moved closer to Weeks Bay. Top left: Bruce gets ready for a good workout paddling his Mohawk Solo 14 into headwinds. Top right: Nancy and Ben enjoy the more undeveloped portions of the river banks.
Top left: Although wind became more of a factor as we moved downstream, Ben was able to manage without use of his rudder. Top right: In effort to minimize the wind factor, Nancy led us into Noltie Creek where the weather conditions were more accomodating for paddling.
Top left: Judging from another mail box on this lonely dock, it looks like Noltie Creek is also part of the mail carrier's water route (yet the post office is still unable to get my mail where it's supposed to go). Top right: The saltwater marsh gave us a change of scenery from the upper waters of Magnolia River but with unwelcoming clouds moving in we decided to call it a day.
Top left: Therese takes in one last view of the shoreline as we return from our trip downstream. Top right: A family of mallards challenges us to a race (The Fast and the Feathered). I believe one of them had a NASCAR number.
And the best part of any canoe trip, portaging an 81-pound canoe plus gear 75-100 yards back to the car. ¶ 6:03 PM
Trip Leader: Nancy Ward
Destination: Magnolia River
Launch: Rock Street, Magnolia Springs
Distance: Approximately 7.5 miles
Pace: Leisurely
Time: 3.5 hours
Weather: Humid with high temperature of 94 degrees. Partly cloudy with scattered rain and thunderstorms. The neap tide current was quite managable but stronger headwinds toward Weeks Bay created more of a challenge.
We put in 1 block down from the Highway 49 bridge at Rock Street. Top left: Ben gets his Tarpon 140 into the water. Top right: The group heads upstream past the Highway 49 bridge while taking in some sights along the way.
As we headed east on the river past the bridge we were able to enjoy a part of the river that powerboats could not due to shallow water and debris. Top left: Nancy and Bruce lead the way upstream. Top right: Therese gets a photo of the "photographer".
These photos are typical features of the landscape along the banks of Magnolia River
As we passed Schoolhouse Branch we navigated the narrow channel as far as we could. Top left: Faced with a roadblock of debris ahead, we decided to turn around to explore some of the lower parts of the river. Top right: This little guy would have had a better chance of continuing upstream than the rest of us.
Lilly pads and old boat houses are some other features of the Magnolia River banks.
I found it interesting that the United States Postal Service actually delivers mail by waterway in Magnolia Springs. I can't even get them to forward my mail correctly.
The wind picked up a bit as we moved closer to Weeks Bay. Top left: Bruce gets ready for a good workout paddling his Mohawk Solo 14 into headwinds. Top right: Nancy and Ben enjoy the more undeveloped portions of the river banks.
Top left: Although wind became more of a factor as we moved downstream, Ben was able to manage without use of his rudder. Top right: In effort to minimize the wind factor, Nancy led us into Noltie Creek where the weather conditions were more accomodating for paddling.
Top left: Judging from another mail box on this lonely dock, it looks like Noltie Creek is also part of the mail carrier's water route (yet the post office is still unable to get my mail where it's supposed to go). Top right: The saltwater marsh gave us a change of scenery from the upper waters of Magnolia River but with unwelcoming clouds moving in we decided to call it a day.
Top left: Therese takes in one last view of the shoreline as we return from our trip downstream. Top right: A family of mallards challenges us to a race (The Fast and the Feathered). I believe one of them had a NASCAR number.
And the best part of any canoe trip, portaging an 81-pound canoe plus gear 75-100 yards back to the car. ¶ 6:03 PM
