07/04/2010 - Booms

Launch: Mobile Causeway aka US Hwy 90 at the triple boat ramps
Launch Cost: Free
Destination: Somewhere near the Battleship to watch the Fireworks.
Distance: 10 miles (round trip)
Paddle time: 3 hours
Weather: Nearby rain storm with winds gusty at times.
GPS Track: To view or download the GPS track of this trip, Click Here.

Header Image

1) A nearby thunderstorm caused the winds to pick up speed. I started out having to wear a spray skirt but was able to take it off after getting in protected waters. Note the billboard sign - lawyers are crawling out of the ground to get a piece of BP money.

2) The waters on the south side of Hwy 90 near the Battleship were a bit choppy. Dozens of boats were already anchored and I didn't particularly want to be around a lot of boats in choppy water.

3) The clouds were putting on a wonderful light show.

4) I paddled to more sheltered waters to watch the sunset.

5) The clouds this evening were very captivating as the sun dipped down beyond the horizon.

6) Knowing that alligators like to come out just before sunset, I can only imagine that they too enjoy the colorful display from above.

7) Another aggressive alligator. This one jumped three feet into the air with mouth opened wide after taking this photo which caused me to quickly vacate its territory. Maybe alligators are aggressive right now because it is egg laying time.

8) With a little time to spare before the fireworks, I headed over to the Delta Fish House (formerly Oysterella's) to listen to live music by RipTide. They were pretty good.

9) The winds died down some, so I paddled over near the Hwy 90 bridge to watch the fireworks and listen to the big Booms. Saw three other kayakers.

10) Going through an over grown passageway in the dark was not exactly fun, but it did get me away from the boat traffic that was abundant after the fireworks show was over. I enjoyed paddling around under the starlight for another two hours after the fireworks.