02/28/2010 - Old Fort Bayou (MS)

Launch: Old Fort Bayou Hwy 609 (Washington Avenue)

1) Sunrise over the Old Fort Bayou, where the first annual Battle on the Bayou kayak race will be held this coming Saturday. The forecast is calling for almost 70 degrees and sunny - sign up today, even if it is just for the after event party. I was checking out race route today.

2) The Washington Avenue bridge (Hwy 609) in Ocean Springs, MS.

3) Click here for a PDF brochure on the relatively new Old Fort Bayou Blueway. One of the blueway mile markers is shown in this photo and they will definitely help racers keep track of their progress to the race end at The Shed BBQ.

4) Grasses and pine trees are prominent along the bayou river banks.

5) A few shore birds could be seen on the mud banks.

6) Even saw a few wood ducks.

7) Old Fort Bayou has some residential areas and reminded me a little of Dog River except the Old Fort Bayou waters were free of trash.

8) The I-10 bridges.

9) North of the I-10 bridges, sandbars begin to appear which is great for kayakers who want to get out and stretch the legs.

10) Back toward the Washington Avenue bridge area, jet skis were busy making noise and wakes. If you ever get over toward Ocean Springs, be sure to visit South Coast Paddling.