02/06/2011 - Mobile River

Launch: Shirley's (US Hwy 90 across from battleship USS Alabama)
Launch Cost: Free
Destination: Mobile River Loop
Distance: About 18 miles (round trip)
Paddle time: 5 hours
Weather: Sunny, winds calm to 10 mph. Air temp 45-50 degrees. Tides neap. Rain runoff current in Mobile River causing a 1-2 mph current. Water temp 45-50 degrees.

Hobie note: 6 miles into the trip, the pedal drive unit pulley shaft came loose - set screw came loose and I didn't have any tools. Luckily I had a spare pedal drive unit. To make matters worse, the Hobie kayak developed a small crack in the hull and water was leaking into it. With no bulkheads in the kayak, a crack in the hull is something to worry, especially when water temps are below 50 degrees. Despite the setbacks, this was a nice paddle trip on my favorite loop.

Header Image

1) Conditions were about perfect on the water at the start of the paddle. 

2) Wow, it was slick.

3) Caught one!

4) Upon reaching Mobile River, birds were lining the banks for as far as the eye could see to the north.

5) White pelicans were slowly waking up after the freezing morning.

6) A white pelican taking off.

7) Peek-a-boo, I see you. Also saw an otter who slipped into the bushes before a photo could be snapped.

8) A really sharp looking ship called "Peacemaker" which is connected to Twelve Tribes, The Commonwealth of Israel was tied up at the Convention Center. Some real beautiful wood work on that ship.

9) The Helix Caesar Pipelaying ship. For a better view of this unusual looking ship, click here. There is always something new to see going down Mobile River.

10) Large bulk cargo ship called Navios Felicity dwarfs the little kayak. Big ships are a marvel of engineering technology.