10/11/2009 - Yancy Cut

Launch: Scott's Landing

1) This paddle was a MBCKC trip (Mobile Bay Canoe and Kayak Club). It was the first time I've ever used Scott's launch site which is on the north side of the Causeway near Spanish Fort. There is only one boat ramp and it was pretty busy. Launch fee is $4 but the owner did not charge us for launching so long as we didn't interfer with motor boat launching. It's a concrete boat ramp. There is a small area of bank to launch but it is muddy.

2) The group of kayaks, and a canoe went up to the southwest corner of Bay Minette Basin. Most turned around and headed back. Three kayaks and a canoe continued north up through Yancy Bay, across the cut and returned to Scott's by way of Blakeley River. Conditions were cloudy which took the edge off the recent heat. The waters were calm. Many in the group headed over to Ed's Seafood Shack for a bite to eat after the trip.

10/10/2009 - Lower Escatawpa River

Launch: Shingle Mill Landing on the Lower Escatawpa River just past the Mississippi line.

1) There are several houseboats at the Shingle Mill Landing area along with an active drinking establishment.

2) Another hot humid day. There is a little bit of current running in the Escatawpa River. In order have it easier on the way back, I headed upstream.

3) One nice thing about the Escatawpa River is if you ever want to get out and stretch the legs, there are a lot of opportunities to do so on sandy bank locations. If you look closely at this photo, you'll see a minnow flying through the air.

4) The I-65 bridge going over the Escatawpa hosts a lot of graffiti.

5) I rounded a corner in the river and thought for a second that there were a lot of birds perched on some limbs.

6) Upon closer inspection, the birds turned out to be decor provided by the local boaters. When you hear a boat coming, you better get out of the way because they might be under the influence of their elegant decor.

7) Speaking of boats, a large one passed by leaving a huge wake. About two minutes later I picked up this disoriented turtle floundering in the water with my paddle. The poor turtle was no doubt a victim of the passing boat.

8) I pedaled over to a nearby log next to the river bank and deposited the turtle on top so it could rest and hopefully recover from its trauma.

9) Went upstream in the Escatawpa as far as Presley's Lake and took a break before returning.

10) Another launch site called Pollock Ferry Landing is about a mile east of Shingle Mill Landing. If you want to see what the Shingle Mill Landing launch site looks like as well as see the rest of the area covered on this trip, click here. There are many oxbows north of I-65 so if you aren't familiar with the river, it can get a bit confusing as to which direction to go. Following the current will keep you on the main river.

10/08/2009 - Mifflin Lake

Launch: Cliff's Landing

1) Launch at Cliff's landing is on either of two cement boat ramps or the nearby wood docks. It's a free public launch area.

2) The trip up the Tensaw was tough because current was much swifter than normal. The hour I anticipated it to take to get to the entrance to Mifflin lake took two hours. Current ceases to be a problem once you enter Mifflin Lake which hosts cleaner water and more calmer conditions. Here is the I-65 bridge just above the entrance.

3) It was another one of those hot steamy days.

4) There are several small tributaries to explore in Mifflin Lake, some areas had lots of pollen residue floating on the water.

5) A trip into the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta isn't a trip unless you see some of the the local river dogs.

6) More River Dogs.

7) It was beautiful in Mifflin Lake. Didn't have time to go all the way up - it is a lengthy trip (12 miles one way) and I had gotten a late start.

8) I've seen this wildflower many times but could never get it identified. Finally found a photo of it and it's called Water-hoarhound or Bugle-weed (Lycopus rubellus) of the Mint family.

On the way back, due to the swift currents interacting with winds from the south, the Tensaw River which was calm on the way up got a little choppy. A photo just couldn't show what it was really like on the way back so below is a short clip of the fun I had for 45 minutes. For those with sit-in kayaks - ALWAYS take a spray skirt on this river because conditions can change quickly.

10/06/2009 - Whiskey Ditch

Launch: River Docs

1) It was a hot sultry day to kayak. The humidity was so bad that it added moisture content to sweat. With no breeze, it was difficult for the body to cool off no matter how much sweat it produced.

2) The backside of a Bur-Marigold also known as Beggar Ticks (Bidens laevis).

3) This great egret was getting its nourishment from bugs on the smartweed vegetation along the banks.

4) Closer shot of the egret.

10/01/2009 - Gaillard Island, TIC

Launch: Hoppes

Went to Gaillard Island and due to high waters in the Bay, found there was very little sand to beach on. Within 60 seconds, mosquitoes began to swarm and they were biting fiercely. Had to get out of there immediately.

1) Dog River Bridge at the entrance to Mobile Bay.

2) Technip's Deep Blue steel pipe laying ship berthed at Theodore Industrial Canal is a marvel of technology.

3) The fisherman on the right had a big fish on the line which fought and fought and eventually won by breaking the line.