02/19/2011 - Lower Crab - Conway Loop

Launch: Shirley's (US Hwy 90 across from battleship USS Alabama)
Launch Cost: Free
Destination: Lower Crab Creek, Conway Creek and Red Maple Slough
Distance: 14.5 miles (round trip)
Paddle time: 4-3/4 hours
Weather: Sunny, 70 degrees, winds 5-10. Tides minimal, near neap. Current minimal.
GPS Track: To view or download the GPS track of this trip, Click Here.

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1) Had planned to do the Mobile River loop but decided to stay in calmer waters today. It was pretty in Lower Crab Creek.

2) Pelicans taking off in Polecat Bay.

3) Gulls on the move.

4) Saw two Eagles today. Looks like this one has taken over an old Osprey nest.

5) This river dog was of respectable size.

6) Taking a stretch and snack break. I planned on coming back in the dark - hence the 360 degree light.

7) Blackbirds resting on an old duck blind to watch the sunset on Big Bateau Bay.

8) Mardi Gras colors on the downtown buildings. This was a wonderful paddle!

03/16/2010 - Mudhole Creek

Launch: Triple Boat Ramps on the Causeway.
Forecast called for mid 60s, so I went with shorts and a t-shirt. The sky quickly clouded up and the temp didn't get much above the mid 50s. Winds were suppose to decrease and instead the wind actually increased and was relentless most of the day. Expected a tailwind on the way home and instead caught a strong cross wind and ended up getting soaked from the chop hitting the kayak from the side. Getting soaked is one of the potential drawbacks of taking the Hobie Adventure sit-on-top out on open waters in windy conditions.

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1) Red Maple Slough was showing its color today.

2) Mudhole Creek also had some red maple coloring. Fought the wind and current most of the day.

3) Dense coverage from an aquatic plant.

4) Today is the first time I've ever seen Glossy Ibis in this area. Not enough shutter speed to get a clear shot.

5) These stupid coot ruined about a half dozen photos today by scaring other wildlife. They flew ahead like this every time I caught up with them almost the entire length of Red Maple Slough.

6) What little time the sun did shine today, it brought out the big beasts.

7) Lots of alligators laying out on the banks today.

 8) Some were quite respectable in size.

9) So much for thinking it was suppose to be sunny all day.

10) Upstream flooding had the Tensaw River current running strong and just north of the Interstate it was interacting with the wind creating some confused wave action. Photos never seem to be able to portray this hazardous area and I'm always relieved make it to the other side of the bridge where waters are calmer without capsizing.

For the track of this trip, Click Here.

03/07/2009 – Red Maple Slough Club Paddle

Launch: Public boat ramps on the Causeway.
Cost: Free
Distance: Approx 14 miles.
Route: Paddle across Chocalata Bay, around the outer perimeter of Big Bateau, and up into Red Maple Slough, then took the north cut to Conway Creek, south to Savage Ditch and back down Chocalata Bay.
Pace: Leisurely to Moderate on the way back.
Average Speed: 2.7 mph.
Weather: Sunny, 65 degrees, incoming tide, winds out of the south 10-15 mph.

Luckily no one showed up for the club paddle I was leading today because a Fish'n Fever Tackle Tournament was going on and there was almost no place to park. Did manage to find a parking place and went on the paddle anyway.

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1) White Ibis with the RSA building in the background.

2) Pelican cruising just inches from the water.

3) A healthy looking osprey eagle standing on its nest.

4) This is the time of year to see alligators soaking up the sun on the banks. Saw over a dozen alligators today including a bunch of young ones.

5) Red maples were the highlight of today’s trip.

6) Red maples were the highlight of today’s trip.

7) Saw quite a few Teal.

8) Conway Creek on the way back.

9) There were some interesting clouds getting in the way of the setting sun on Chocalata Bay.

10) Had to wear a spray skirt on the way back because steady 10-15 mph winds kicked up a little chop. Sunny skies and warmer temperatures made this a wonderful trip. Spider Lilies are starting to come out already. Spring is here!

03/10/2007 – Mudhole Creek

Launch: North side of the Causeway at the old River Docs.
Launch Cost: Free.
Route: North through Savage Ditch, north on Conway to upper cut to Big Bateau Bay, then to Red Maple Slough, back up through Little Bateau, then north into Mudhole Creek. Then back to launch site via Conway Creek.
Distance: 17.7 miles round trip.
Average Speed: 3.3 mph.
Time: Approx 5.5 hrs.
Pace: Moderate.
Weather: Sunny, temperature 65-70 degrees, winds were mostly out of the south 0-5 mph. Tide was high and rising; no noticeable current.

1) The two seagulls that were watching the kayak parade back in February, were still on the same branch.

2) I left early in the morning going to the Causeway for a paddle in very dense fog – expecting to see no boats at all. Much to my surprise, the entire pubic pier parking lot was filled up with bass boats because of a scheduled Fish-N-Fever Mobile Boat Show Bass Tournament. There were dozens of boats sitting in the water waiting for the fog to lift. Speedy bass boats, fog and kayaks do not mix, so I turned around and went home opting for an afternoon paddle. In the afternoon, the parking lot was still filled with bass boats so I went down to the River Docs launch site which was empty. I went up to Savage Ditch thinking bass boats wouldn’t go up in that narrow waterway – wrong!

3) Then I heard the dreaded sound of an airboat – in the narrow Savage Ditch… However, airboat operator Geoff Woodliff was the most courteous operator I’ve ever seen as you can see by the big wake he was leaving with his engine was off. Geoff handed me his business card and stressed, “If you are ever in need of help, I’m just a phone call away. Do not hesitate to call!” Good public relations. Hey, if you are in need of immediate help near the Causeway, do you want to be transferred several times through 911 operators, or would you rather talk to someone who can be there in mere minutes. Plug this number in your cell phone: 251-370-7089 for airboat help.
(2013 Update): This ditch was once deep enough to use the pedal boat in. The airboat traffic has caused so much erosion that it is doubtful a kayak can even get through during low tide.

4) Today, it didn’t matter where I was, Savage Ditch, Conway Creek, Maple Slough, Mudhole Creek – there were large alligators out sunning – and I mean large.

5) I think these are Blue-winged Teal ducks.

6) The red in the red maple trees was more pronounced today than it was two weeks ago making for a beautiful trip.

7) On the way back, clouds graciously blocked the sun lessening the glare on the water.

8) It was a rather bland sunset this afternoon, but, every sunset I experience above ground is more beautiful than the last one.

9) What an exhilarating and relaxing paddle this was. The abundant wildlife and the beauty this area offers is remarkable this time of year. I thank the leaders who have the vision of keeping the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta Forever Wild though land purchases.

10) Trip Track. Red arrows indicate path of trip.

“The sea, the great unifier, is man's only hope. Now, as never before, the old phrase has a literal meaning: We are all in the same boat.” -Jacques Cousteau

02/25/2007 – Red Maple Slough

Launch: North side of the Causeway at the old River Docs.
Launch Cost: Free.
Route: North through Big Bateau Bay to Red Maple Slough and then back via Conway Creek.
Distance: 8.6 miles round trip.
Average Speed: 2.8 mph.
Time: Approx 3 hrs.
Pace: Leisurely.
Weather: Sunny, temperature 75-80 degrees, winds were out of the west northwest 5-15 mph. Waters were high, tide was rising and there was no noticeable current.

1) This was a Mobile Bay Canoe and Kayak Club trip led by Harriet and Fritz. Despite the name, the only thing left at the River Docs launch site is a dirt parking lot.

2) Over a dozen kayakers were excited to start the trip on this nice warm sunny Spring-like day.

3) Two seagulls intently watch the parade of colorful kayaks float by.

4) The kayak parade as seen from the seagull’s perspective.

5) This was taken near the entrance of Conway Creek.

6) The group enters Big Bateau Bay.

7) Everyone takes a brief break on the west edge of Big Bateau Bay.

8) Fritz’s neon green shirt reflects brightly on the dark narrow waters of Red Maple Slough.

9) There was very little red in the red maple trees – it will be about another week before they are in full color. No one really cared though because they were enjoying the camaraderie with other kayakers on a beautiful spring day. Great trip!

10) Trip Track.

The February sunshine steeps your boughs and tints the buds and swells the leaves within. -William C. Bryant