Stewards of the White Oak River Basin Current Events

This day we paddled from Emmetts Lane Bridge up the White Oak past the Big Cypress to the confluence of the North and South Prongs. This was a real adventure into unknown waters.

The picture, #1485 is of Dale Weston at the confluence. As you can see there is plenty of water but it is filled with old moss covered logs. One had little white eggs in the crevices. We ate lunch here and a little striped lizard took up with Dale's blue tee shirt and explored it thoroughly for our entertainment.

The weather was excellent the water was cool. The White Oak was more beautiful than ever. There were no snakes or bugs or deer flies (Gary). We had a real adventure cutting our way through to get here. #1479 shows a new blow down on the way up to the Big Cypress with Dave, Julia and Missy getting around it.

#1487, the group, Julia Miner and Missy Tenhet from Oriental, Dave McCracken from New Bern and Dale Weston from Jacksonville. Everyone wants to make a return trip to continue our exploration up stream. They want some more chain saws along. Any volunteers?

There is plenty of water. Mike's gauge at Rte 17 read minus 8 inches. The measurement from the bottom of the concrete bridge at Emmetts was 50 inches. With a little less water we could do a better job of clearing a canoe trail clear of obstructions.

Next week we turn back east. We will do the Thorough Fare, "thurfur" if it is not too windy. (See new CCCKC map). Al Morris will let us know. If too windy we will return to Cahoogue Creek and Hancock Creek and explore them both. --------------------------------------------------------------

Dale and Dave confronting an old mossy obstructing log which Dale cut through and opened a passageway.
At the confluence of the North and South Prongs of the White Oak River never before seen by anyone present today. The water is still deep and we can paddle upstream on both Prongs if we can cut our way through the fallen trees blocking the way. Any volunteers? Who knows what we may find?
Dale and Elmer at confluence.
Missy heading into the unknown!
The intrepid explorers with me this time.
The intrepid explorers with Dave.
Dave, Julia and Missy getting around a new blown down tree on the way up to the Big Cypress Trees. We will get it out of there on our next trip. Our adveture was very enjoyable and productive and we can't wait to get back up there to see what is around the next bend.