Paddling Lower Alabama
Monday, July 10, 2006
7/8/2006: Oak Bayou / Chuckfee Bay
Trip Leader: Danny Hart
Destination: Chuckfee Bay
Launch: Cloverleaf Landing
Distance: Approximately 24 miles
Pace: Leisurely to Moderate
Time: 9 hours
Weather: Mild and dry in the morning. High temperature of 91 degrees. Mostly sunny with light afternoon showers. Slow current in rivers and bayous, strong southerly wind with light chop in Chuckfee Bay.
The weather conditions were as good as they get for the month of July. The morning air was pleasant though we all knew the mild July temperatures would be short-lived as the day progressed. Joining me (top left) for the trip were my best friend Tony Eaker, down from Birmingham, Rob Nykvist and David Lannie. The four of us were on the water just after 8:00 a.m. We paddled a short distance north on the Tensaw from Clover Leaf Landing then headed west on Raft River (top right) toward Oak Bayou.
After about 4 miles on Raft River, we headed north on Oak Bayou, one of the few areas left in the delta that is still privately owned. The bayou features a variety of fishing camps ranging from your basic cabin and dock with few amenities to the more plush accomodations with electricity, water, air conditioning, and satellite television. These are a few of my favorites.
"Oh, that uh, that there's an RV, but don't you go falling in love with it now, because, we're taking it with us when we leave here next month." I wonder if Cousin Eddie was at home.
Lubbers, lubbers everywhere! We're talking Old Testament plague numbers here. It seems like around every corner there were these grasshoppers, thousands of them. Although the species is incapable of flight they can certainly get around. I saw them on trees, docks, swimming and the one above (top right) hitched a ride on my bilge sponge for a bit. They appear to have no natural predators due to their defensive characteristics (a toxic spray and a loud hissing sound). Their numbers are at their highest during the summer months of July and August. Apparently we crashed their annual breeding bonanza. Fortunately they are "harmless" to humans although I know from personal experience that they can bite.
Grasshoppers weren't the only signs of wildlife. Alligators (top left) are almost always guaranteed company during the summer months as well as various types of snakes (top right)
Once we reached the end of Mallard Fork, we decided to take a break from the sun and found some shelter that served as both shade and a place to get out and stretch. We spent about 15-20 minutes here (around 12:30 p.m.) for lunch. Top left: My squirrel cam view of Tony making his way out of the sun. Top right: Beating the heat.
David, pictured above in a blue Pungo 140, has been kayaking for only 6 months but held up as well as any of us to the heat and distance of the trip.
We took a slight variation in route back to Chuckfee Bay where we started seeing some signs of rain. Though the wind made it a little more difficult to cross the bay, it was a welcome relief from the summer heat. Top left: Rob and David make their way through the final stretch of Mallard Fork before returning to Chuckfee Bay. Top right: Rob looks on at the developing clouds with optimism.
Before returning for the day, we spent about an hour exploring one last area on the southeast side of Chuckfee Bay. Despite the summer vegetation growth we were able to navigate the small channels without much difficulty. Top left: Tony pushes through the gator grass. Top right: Rob pauses to capture some photo opportunities. Below: a white heron waits patiently for his next meal.
View more great photos of the trip at Rob's blog: http://www.mobilepaddler.blogspot.com ¶ 8:05 AM
Trip Leader: Danny Hart
Destination: Chuckfee Bay
Launch: Cloverleaf Landing
Distance: Approximately 24 miles
Pace: Leisurely to Moderate
Time: 9 hours
Weather: Mild and dry in the morning. High temperature of 91 degrees. Mostly sunny with light afternoon showers. Slow current in rivers and bayous, strong southerly wind with light chop in Chuckfee Bay.
The weather conditions were as good as they get for the month of July. The morning air was pleasant though we all knew the mild July temperatures would be short-lived as the day progressed. Joining me (top left) for the trip were my best friend Tony Eaker, down from Birmingham, Rob Nykvist and David Lannie. The four of us were on the water just after 8:00 a.m. We paddled a short distance north on the Tensaw from Clover Leaf Landing then headed west on Raft River (top right) toward Oak Bayou.
After about 4 miles on Raft River, we headed north on Oak Bayou, one of the few areas left in the delta that is still privately owned. The bayou features a variety of fishing camps ranging from your basic cabin and dock with few amenities to the more plush accomodations with electricity, water, air conditioning, and satellite television. These are a few of my favorites.
"Oh, that uh, that there's an RV, but don't you go falling in love with it now, because, we're taking it with us when we leave here next month." I wonder if Cousin Eddie was at home.
Lubbers, lubbers everywhere! We're talking Old Testament plague numbers here. It seems like around every corner there were these grasshoppers, thousands of them. Although the species is incapable of flight they can certainly get around. I saw them on trees, docks, swimming and the one above (top right) hitched a ride on my bilge sponge for a bit. They appear to have no natural predators due to their defensive characteristics (a toxic spray and a loud hissing sound). Their numbers are at their highest during the summer months of July and August. Apparently we crashed their annual breeding bonanza. Fortunately they are "harmless" to humans although I know from personal experience that they can bite.
Grasshoppers weren't the only signs of wildlife. Alligators (top left) are almost always guaranteed company during the summer months as well as various types of snakes (top right)
Once we reached the end of Mallard Fork, we decided to take a break from the sun and found some shelter that served as both shade and a place to get out and stretch. We spent about 15-20 minutes here (around 12:30 p.m.) for lunch. Top left: My squirrel cam view of Tony making his way out of the sun. Top right: Beating the heat.
David, pictured above in a blue Pungo 140, has been kayaking for only 6 months but held up as well as any of us to the heat and distance of the trip.
We took a slight variation in route back to Chuckfee Bay where we started seeing some signs of rain. Though the wind made it a little more difficult to cross the bay, it was a welcome relief from the summer heat. Top left: Rob and David make their way through the final stretch of Mallard Fork before returning to Chuckfee Bay. Top right: Rob looks on at the developing clouds with optimism.
Before returning for the day, we spent about an hour exploring one last area on the southeast side of Chuckfee Bay. Despite the summer vegetation growth we were able to navigate the small channels without much difficulty. Top left: Tony pushes through the gator grass. Top right: Rob pauses to capture some photo opportunities. Below: a white heron waits patiently for his next meal.
View more great photos of the trip at Rob's blog: http://www.mobilepaddler.blogspot.com ¶ 8:05 AM
