02/06/2010 - Hurricane Bayou

Launch: Hurricane Landing

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1) Delta Safari hosted a Hurricane Bayou BBQ paddle today. This is the railroad crossing over the Bayou.

2) A few gaps in the clouds provided for momentary blue sky. Some blueberry bushes were in bloom so warmer weather must be on the way.

3) Trees serve as host to a variety of life in symbiotic relationships, including these ferns.

4) When it is dry, the Resurrection Fern will curl up and appear to be dead and when it rains, it comes to life again. One website says Resurrection Ferns can go as much as 100 years without water and still revive after a single soaking, hence it's name Resurrection Fern.

5) This is what some local Hurricane Bayou residents do in their spare time. Now you know why I wear hunters orange when kayaking in this area.

6) Everyone got out of their kayaks at the turn around point and were treated to some hot cheeseburgers right off the grill compliments of Captain Michael and Delta Safari.

7) A short hike was done during the lunch break and Joel pointed out where salamanders live - first time I've even seen one. It's hard to see in this photo due to reflection, but Joel is pointing to a small Southern Two-Lined Salamander curled up in front of his finger. The white salamander eggs can be seen near his right finger. Way cool Joel! Thanks. There is more to these Delta Safari paddle trips than just paddling.

8) The train track was pretty busy today and current was 3.5 mph in the Tensaw - definitely not a day to be going upstream.

9) As soon as we got out on the open waters of the Tensaw, winds made it downright chilly. Many of the residents in this area are still isolated due to high waters.

10) Even though it stayed cloudy most of the day, it was an enjoyable paddle trip.

Hurricane Bayou Track

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01/30/2010 - Hurricane Bayou

Launch: Hurricane Landing

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1) After an smooth launch at Hurricane Landing, also known as Perkins Landing, the Mobile Bay Canoe and Kayak Club group paddled up Hurricane Bayou.

2) This bright Christmas lichen (Cryptothecia rubrocincta) begged to be photographed. It added a little color to this otherwise drab day.

3) At the narrow end of Hurricane Bayou is high enough ground to get out on and take a break.

4) Along the edge of Hurricane Bayou were some small trees or shrubs loaded down with catkins but they also had small cones on the same limbs which seemed odd. There were no leaves on the tree and no one knew the identity. After some research, it appears this tree is in the Birch Family and is called Hazel Alder or technically, Alnus serrulata.

5) We explored some of the backwaters that have beaver dams, but the high water covered the dams.

6) The sun stayed behind clouds and temperatures were in the upper 40s but that didn't stop about a dozen kayakers from enjoying this 6-7 mile trip today.

7) We cut across the gas line canal and went out into the Tensaw River. River current was about 2-3 mph due to recent rains and upstream flooding.

8) It seems like it is always flooding upstream lately causing higher water levels and stronger current in this area. I was paddling down an asphalt road here.

9) Another interesting lichen found blooming so to speak on an old wooden dock. Based on research (always prone to error), I think this is called Jester lichen (Cladonia leporina).

10) Houseboats on Hurricane Bayou. Haven't heard of any Frankenfish horror stories in this area. Frankenfish is a movie filmed nearby in Byrnes Lake back in 2004.

05/22/2005 – Hurricane Bayou Club Trip

Launch: Hurricane Landing. Launch Fee: $3. Route: Up Hurricane Bayou till kayaks could go no further. On the way back, we went ¼ mile west across the pipeline canal to the Tensaw River. From there, south down the Tensaw, and then back up Hurricane Bayou. Distance: 7.2 miles. Average Speed: Approx 2.8 mph. Time: Approx 2.5 hrs. Pace: Leisurely. Weather: It was a bit warm - about 90 degrees. The shade in the upper end of Hurricane Bayou was a welcome relief from the hot sun.

(1) Above left. I arrived at Hurricane Bayou early thinking I could practice sailing the kayak out on the Tensaw River before the club trip. The rule of thumb that says if no wind, no sail, is true, so I pedaled. The houseboat, located near Cliffs Landing, must have been occupied by a Jeff Gordon fan. (2) Above right. On the way back to Hurricane Landing for the club paddle, the sound of a Wampas Cat, or screeching baby in the woods caused me to stop and say, “What the heck was that!” After searching for several minutes, a movement in a tree helped identify the source of the eerie sound. It was an owl. I’ve heard owls, but never sounding like this one.

(3) Above left. About eight kayakers launched from Hurricane on a hot Sunday afternoon, led by Brint in his Seda racing kayak. There were several new faces in the group. (4) Above right. It was a pretty day to go exploring Hurricane Bayou. It didn’t matter if you had a pedal boat, a sit-on-top, new or old, or a racing kayak – the scenery was enjoyed by all at a leisurely pace. Only two jet skis and one boat passed us during this trip.

(5) Above left. Was it coincidence that we passed by a holey tree on Sunday? Just beyond the holey tree, a family was working to put a roof on a little houseboat. Their kids jumped into the water as we passed by. (6) Above right. Heading south on the very calm Tensaw River, we passed by the homes of the Hurricane Bayou community. Their peaceful location is interrupted by trains crossing a noisy bridge two or three dozen times a day. I could get used to it!

(7) Above left. Not sure how many in our kayak group noticed this tree on our way back to the launch site. It looks like a knee joint, minus the patella bone, and with a hole in it. (8) Above right. Underneath the odd looking tree was a sign. What the heck is a Wompus Cat? Well, there is a band called Cattywompus. In the dictionary of Mountain Talk, Caty Wompus means a vicious beast. Wompus Cat is a sailboat that you can build. Kitty Wompuss is a graphics web site. Wompus Cat is also the name of a Day Lily. Someone must have spelled it incorrectly. I think this sign is more related to the legend of the Wampus Cat. http://www.itasca.k12.tx.us/wclegend.html Kayaking is great fun because if you go slowly enough, there is always something interesting to see. I encourage you to join Mobile Bay Canoe and Kayak Club trips. Visit their web site often for a current schedule of events. http://www.baykayaker.blogspot.com/