Recent Trips and Events

July 27, 2008 - A trip from Alabama to Florida (Flomaton to Hwy. 4)

Wow, did we have fun today. We started out with 30 boats and 34 people and at the end we were short four people for about 30 minutes. We were about to send Doug back upstream in Jane's canoe to look for her missing spouse when Carl looked and saw them coming. Wes was safe, but only had one shoe. The mud took it and wouldn't give it back.

I lost count of how many people turned over today, but I heard of several rescues. I'm thankful Riley and her friend were wearing their life jackets, because I was all alone trying to come to their rescue. They lost two great water guns, but Delbert found one. I think the only other thing they didn't find was a cushion.

A special thanks to Sandra Castille, Francis Stone, and Jim Nutzel for helping with the shuttle. We put on the creek around 10:15. It was running high from the rain that area had the last couple of days. It was moving fast. I should have checked with Jim to see what speed we averaged. We had three guys named Jim and four or five ladies named Susan or Susie. It was very hot at our lunch break, with no shade. Several of us went for a swim to cool off. We had to have Duct tape to repair Susan Benz kayak that her friend was paddling. She hit one of the steel beams at the new bridge they are putting in. Susan did a great job sitting in the middle of it and directing the rest of the group around it, even as her boat was suffering.

The water was really fast thru the section where we have to paddle thru the trees. I think this is where most of the tipping canoes and kayaks, too, were. Then there was the tree that we had no problem going under two weeks ago caused a few problems today. Several people opted to go around it on river right in the swampy area. We stopped for a watermelon break when we got on the Escambia River. A few rain drops fell and we begin to hear thunder rolling, but thankfully, it went away. We got to the take out around 1:45. Thanks to all who came and made this a memorable day.

Written by Miriam Stewart

July 18, 2008 - Moonlight Paddle at Big Lagoon

Tonight 21 boats and 26 paddlers braved the waters of Big Lagoon. We encounter loads of fish, a porpoise and some blue crabs. The manatee eluded the group. It was good to see so many new faces try moonlight paddling. Two tandem canoes led the pack. Sharon was glad to see her great idea come to life. Joanne shared her driveway with the happy paddlers. Arlene and Holley traveled across town as did Buddy and Diane. John and Susan made it in from Niceville and several came from Fort Walton. Good to have Judy come out our way. The sunset was a glorious pink. We stuffed ourselves with popcorn, chips, and pretzels. Some sipped champagne while others stuck to water. The moon rose over the Gulf of Mexico and gave us light for the paddle home. The beach sparkled in the moonlight. We returned with all the original paddlers and boats. A good time was had by all.

Chris Swol and Christine brought the inflatable kayak and an invitation. If the club is interested in having next summer's party at the beautiful Blue Angel Recreation Area, we have a sponsor. The pavilions and bathrooms are super. Camping is available and the site has a great breeze. It offers an easy paddle to lovely Tarkiln Bayou where we always see lots of porpoises. Those who haven't experienced the bayou are in for a treat. The porpoises swoop alongside our boats as they herd the mullet.

Written by Susan Guttmann

July 12, 2008 - Big Escambia Creek and Escambia River

It was absolutely wonderful. Tina and Susan S., John Veasey and Susan B, Jim Parker, Ashley, Randy, and Ryan, and Carl and I were the paddlers, plus three dogs. It was a short shuttle. We put on around 10:30 and took off around 2:30. I thought it would probably be wide and boring, but it was a great ever changing adventure. The current was moving real good. We had one pull over, which was some steel beams where they were building a new bridge. There was a couple of girls and a guy there that had worked with the Corp of Engineers cleaning up the big log jam. He said we would have problems on down, but it was just pure fun. The creek started getting narrower and then went thru the woods like the Titi does. When we came out of that section, it was very fast water and a few little shoals and things to maneuver around. This section was six miles and then another 1.2 miles on the Escambia River, according to Jim's GPS. We were fortunate to not have bad weather. We heard it thunder as we were getting to the take out. We loaded up and Ashley, Randy, and Ryan took John and Susan back to the bridge in Flomaton, with Susan's kayak, John, and Charlie, their dog on the back of their pickup. John wanted to try a canoe today, so Carl and I took the Challenger for him to paddle. He did great. If any one has one for sale, I think he's in the market for it. Thanks to all who came and helped with the shuttle. We had a blast. We all agree we have to do this again soon and introduce it to the club.

Written by Miriam Stewart