11/26/2009 - Red Creek, MS

Launch: Roy O. Cumbest Boat Ramp (Airport Blvd at Pascagoula River)
Route: Up the Pascagoula River to Big Black Creek and then up Red Creek and back. For a TIFF image of the Easen Hill area quad map, click here.

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1) The sunrise through a fog bank over the Pascagoula River was an eerie sight. It was like there was a big fire on the horizon.

2) Sunlight filtering through the fog.

3) Now entering Big Black Creek. The fog lingered on for about two hours. 

4) There were a lot of sandbars up in Red Creek with animal tracks on them. I'm really starting to like kayaking in the Pascagoula River Basin.

5) If you look near the center of this photo, you can see a deer walking off to the right. Saw several deer today but they were quicker than the camera.

6) There was something laying down on the river bank that twitched. I thought it was a deer that had been shot and was dying. Much to my surprise, when I got close to the bank, the twitching body stood up and looked at me. We both snorted.

7) More dead animal parts. But, the hunters do have to field dress their kill so their food doesn't spoil.

8) Then there are the quicker picker uppers that take care of the discarded parts. Nothing goes to waste.

9) This is one of several bluffs on Red Creek and the only land based house I saw today. There were several floating camps.

10) There were also a couple nice cypress groves.

11) Hunter Billy Joe's Retirement Home.

12) Sunset on the Pascagoula River.

I really enjoyed this day long kayaking trip. If you decide to kayak in this area, beware of river levels. There is a river level guage near the launch site called, Graham Ferry. There is a little current in these rivers and creeks but those currents can get nasty when water levels are higher.

05/02/2009 – Choctaw National Wildlife Refuge

Launch: Service Park boat ramp which is about 3-4 miles west of Coffeeville. Coffeeville is 30 miles northwest of Jackson, AL – about a 2 hour drive from Mobile.
Launch Fee: $3. (Lock box envelopes have tag for display in your vehicle.)
Trip Distance: Approx 20 miles.
Route: Paddle up the Tombigbee River 3 miles to the Turkey Creek entrance of Choctaw National Wildlife Refuge, explore the many available waterways, and then return.
Pace: Leisurely.
Weather: Sunny, 70-85 degrees, no tidal influence, winds calm to very light, almost no current except for very slight current in the Tombigbee.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife manages the Choctaw National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) primarily for migratory waterfowl. What’s up there? That’s what I wanted to find out today.

1) Foggy morning at the Coffeeville Dam Service Park boat ramp.

2) After the first hour of paddling, I thought I’d wasted my time because it is an ugly paddle up the Tombigbee unless you like looking at tire dumps. This tire erosion control does not appear to work very well.

3) The do’s and don’t of the refuge posted at the Turkey Creek entrance.

4) A cormorant taking flight.

5) There were areas blanketed by sedge flowers.

6) Birds like this prothonotary warbler were plentiful. Bird music in the air waves was vibrant.

7) When one boater said to another, “boy, that kayaker has a lot of guts…” I could tell this might be a good place to kayak. Choctaw NWR indeed is a wonderful place to kayak. Lots of Alligators to see at this time of year.

8) There are submerged stumps in the refuge waters so most power boats move very slow using a trolling motor – that means no wakes and no noise. Paradise! Don’t let your guard down though – kayakers hit the submerged tree stumps too.

9) Alligator smiling for the photo.

10) There were plenty of water lilies in bloom. You can see a spider marveling at the beautiful flowers too.

11) Choctaw NWR reminds me a bit of the open prairies at Okefenokee Swamp because of the brown peat in some areas.

12) Wild pigs running along GG'ing (grunting and grubbing).

13) Herons were all over the place.

14) Dozens of ibis and other birds in a feeding frenzy for crabs.

15) I followed along at a bird’s pace with some of the water fowl as they walked along the vegetation digging for food. They were aware of my presence but were unafraid. The only thing I’ll shoot them with is a camera.

16) Choctaw NWR is a birder’s paradise. 

17) This shot is typical of the area. There is not a lot of shade so bring your sunscreen and wide brim hats.

18) This dog almost fell overboard trying to get a bite on the wiggling fish. The dancing dog was cute. This couple said the dog also likes crickets and once got into trouble by eating one with a hook in it.

19) The sign on the right was enough to influence me to turn around. What's a submerged dam? The rule that says, “When in doubt, don’t,” applies to kayaking. Here is a aerial view of the dam looking upstream. Even a little submerged dam is very dangerous. Check out this dam link.

20) Taken on the Tombigbee River looking downstream towards the dam.

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Today was absolutely beautiful – a big two thumbs up for the Choctaw National Wildlife Refuge. It is definately worth a two hour drive from Mobile and is big enough that it would take a week to fully explore. There are motels in Jackson (30 minutes away) and a campground at the Service Park launch site.

03/08/2009 - Bayou Tallapoosa

Launch: Public boat ramp on Rice Creek up near Stockton, AL
Cost: Free
Distance: Approx 14.8 miles.
Route: Paddle up Briar Lake to the Dead Lake platforms, then to Bayou Tallapoosa to Tensaw River and back.
Pace: Hard to Moderate against moderate currents, then Easy on the way back.
Average Speed: 1.6 mph.
Weather: Partly cloudy, 60-70 degrees, a few gusts of wind but mostly calm winds. The waters were high from upstream flooding. Current varied from 1-3 mph.

1) Rice Creek parking lot was under water.

2) Was only able to manage paddling about 2.0 mph upstream against the current.

3) Saw my first bear in the Delta.

4) Went to the Dead Lake platforms to take a stretch break. Strong currents subsided after leaving Tensaw Lake.

5) A couple of locals checking their trout line - no bites.

6) Entering Bayou Tallapoosa.

7) Old burnt out bald cypress tree.

8) Must be the latest in piercing – chain insertion. You never know what you’ll see on a kayaking adventure.

9) A few impressive red maple trees.

10) The usual towering butterweed now only 2-3 foot tall was abundant in some areas and quite beautiful.

11) Getting these two photos of a wild pig was a challenge. Had to get the camera out, turn it on, stop the kayak still in a 2 mph current and then try to position it for a shot, focus, and try to take photos while the current was pulling me into a tangle of limbs, quietly.

12) Little Piggy

13) Did you ever get the feeling that the trees were watching you?

14) While blazing my own trail through the woods (off river), I stumbled upon the biggest rookery of Great Blue Herons I’ve ever seen. 

15) Wish I could have explored the woods more. Ibis were also nesting in the rookery. 

16) I noticed orange on several trees from a distance and figured it to be survey paint. Happened to pass by orange markings and looked more closely. It is orange and gooey and it isn’t paint. Ewwww!

17) You gotta pay attention to your surroundings.

18) Not all critters are happy about their forced roommates during floods. In this photo, if you follow the twig just below the snakes head down to the bottom of the photo, you’ll notice an Anole (lizard) upside down on the twig. Bet the Anole isn’t too happy about what is above him.

19) The cabin at Bayou Tallapoosa and the Tensaw River was swarming with carpenter bees. 

20) Spent 9 hours on the water today and I didn’t want it to end. This was one enjoyable trip.

Note about paddling in flooded conditions: You have to be careful getting off the main streams and kayaking along your own trail. Big Spiders will jump from the water onto your kayak – it happened to me today. Snakes waiting in the trees for the water to slow down could easily fall into your kayak if you aren’t paying attention. Most everything you brush against has critters on it. Fire Ant colonies can be found clinging to the sides of anything. Wasp nests that are usually high overhead are now at face level during floods and easily bumped with the paddle during all the tricky maneuvering necessary to go around trees. While it is nice to enjoy the scenery, you must constantly be watching your surroundings. Take a GPS, and a compass so you know how to get back to the river.