03/19/2011 - Pass Picada

Launch: Mobile Causeway aka US Hwy 90 at the Triple boat ramps
Launch Cost: Free
Destination: Pass Picada to watch the Moonrise
Distance: 10 miles (round trip)
Paddle time: 3-1/4 hours
Weather: 70s. Winds out of the south at about 5-10 mph. Current was strong in the Apalachee River. Water temp was about 65 degrees. Paddling on the sheltered side of the Causeway.

I had planned to join the Mobile Bay Canoe and Kayak Club moonrise paddle and for some reason, thought it was on Saturday. It was on Friday... Oh well, I got to see some photographers at the Riverdocs and enjoyed talking to someone who went on the paddle I missed.

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1) First thing noticeable thing on this paddle was loud noise. An airboat was running a regular route from the Bluegill restaurant. It did however, run at idle speed in Pass Picada.

2) The airboats have cut their own paths through the vegetation. With vegetation on the left and right, it gives riders the experience of speed. Unfortunately, when airboats run in places like Savage Ditch, which was once deep enough to take my pedal boat the whole way through it, it is now so shallow due to the shoreline erosion filling in the ditch, that I can't use a pedal boat in it anymore.

3) Another airboat path. You might want to avoid paddling in these paths. The good thing is the paths the airboats have created, have no erosion.

4) A bird was watching the kayak pass by with keen eyes.

5) A bird squawking about the beautiful sunset.

6) Indeed, a beautiful sunset. If you notice the specks in the sky, there were a lot of birds flying overhead.

7) The stump in Pass Picada, enhanced by a flash.

8) It wasn't long after sunset that the big moon rose over the horizon. The moon had a tint of red as it rose. What does a red moon mean?

9) The Bluegill restaurant provides live music starting at 6:00 pm most evenings to adjust your paddle cadence to. You can paddle right up to the dock, kick back and listen. Beverages are available if you are so inclined. You'll want to paddle with a visible light in Pass Picada at night so the airboat can see you.

10) Approaching the crossing of Interstate I-10 and US Highway 90 at night. I love night paddles and the moon provided so much light it actually cast a shadow.

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

05/14/2005 - Causeway - Conway Creek Loop

Launch: Causeway Public Boat Ramps. Fee: Free. Route: Desired-Mobile River. Actual-Conway Creek Loop. Distance: 12.2 miles. Average Speed: 3.5 mph. Time: Approx 3.5 hrs. Pace: Moderate. Weather: Strong southerly winds. Finally, after two bad trips into the water on this day, I launch at one of my favorite places and decided to go by the big ships on Mobile River – tide should be pretty accommodating and current should not be that bad on the way back.

(1) Above left. Heading west along the I-10 interstate, you can get a pretty good view of the changing skyline of Mobile. Alabama’s soon to be tallest building (RSA) is under construction. Figured the RSA building would be cool looking up close, so off toward Mobile River I headed. (2) Above right. The Original Oyster House is one of the area’s more popular restaurants. You can park your boat or kayak at their dock and then go eat.

(3) Above left. After passing under the Highway 90 bridge, water conditions changed drastically. A lot of current flows though this area and it often interacts with winds to create some confused choppy waves. Already had a bad day with waves, so I decided, maybe Mobile River wasn’t such a good destination after all. One has to be flexible with their destinations when kayaking. (4) Above right. So I turned around and went north opting to go up the Tensaw River to Conway Creek. There was a nice tailwind and the strong southerly winds were causing current to flow north when it should have been flowing south. By hugging the bank of the Tensaw River, I stayed sheltered from the wind.

(5) Above left. After turning east into Conway Creek, the water was even more protected from the winds. Waters slicked off, the current was still flowing with me, and the new pedal unit was working perfect. Ahhh, life is good! (6) Above right. Conway Creek twists around, and along comes a river dog trying to block my path. On a bicycle, dogs used to chase me, now. In a kayak, it is river dogs (alligators) that play games. Even though river dogs may be stupid, you need to respect them, and their mighty power.

(7) Above left. I headed north from Conway Creek up the cut to Little Bateau. About a quarter of a mile up the cut, there is a little fishing pier. It is a great place to get out and stretch the legs. The pier and hunting shack are located just behind the trees on the bank. All along the edge of the water, it looks like a well kept botanical garden in places. (8) Above right. There is an old stump next to the pier and upon closer inspection, the baby grasshoppers or whatever they are classified as, are small now, but these insects will get big.

(9) Above left. The pier, conveniently tilted so there is always a nice elevation to get out at, was partly underwater at high tide. (10) Above right. While on the pier, an airboat came by. This guy runs airboat tours out of the Blue Gill Restaurant or somewhere nearby. He does the responsible thing by slowing the airboat down to an idle when passing by. After he passed and turned, he cranks up the engine. The airboat proceeds to send a spray of mist about 100 yards behind him. Airboats can be hazard to kayakers, but I commend the operator of this airboat – he is a professional. I still hate airboats because their noise ruins the ambiance of the silence in the Delta – big time!