Stewards of the White Oak River Basin Current Events

2008-06-04 Freeman Creek, Camp Lejeune, NC

Here we are at Freeman Creek boat ramp which is at the end of Freeman Creek Road

off of Route 172 in Section GH. This is about 4 miles west of the 172 Gate at Lyman

Road. That is Freeman Creek directly behind us and the ICW is the 2nd body of water

with Browns Island in the back ground.

To be sure you can use this boat ramp you need to call 910-451-3794 after 4:00 PM

the day before as it is frequently closed due to practice firing.

That is Jim Morris from Morehead City on the left. Jim's wife, Connie took these pictures.

Thank you Connie. Elmer Eddy from Swansboro is next and Jim Niedermeyer from Hubert

and Harry Patterson from Jacksonville.

We took a first right into the marshes and after twisting and winding a lot we had to

turn back. In 2005 when we paddled this creek the tide was so high we could turn

right immediately beyond the boat ramp.

When we got back and started up the main channel we passed these fishermen. They

had no luck and pulled anchor as we went by.

This is a example of the marshes and numerous alternate channels. It is like a maze.

We never did find where Freeman Creek enters the woods. We did in 2005.

This helicopter circled four times making practice landings and take offs.

That little black dot just below the helicopter to the right is an osprey nest with an
osprey sitting in it.

Connie and Jim in his home made tandem.

Harry is taking it easy. This about where we turned around. Studying the maps more
now, I believe we would have found where the creek enters the woods if we had explored
more channels on our left to the west.

I am trying to get that helicopter.

As we could not find a lunch stop in the marshes we paddled all the way back to the
ramp where we launched and ate there. The trip back was difficult as we had to pick
our way around oyster rocks exposed by the falling tide. Also the wind become very
strong from the southwest and we faced it head on on the turns.

We planned to paddle down the ICW but the wind discouraged us from doing this.
Harry left to get lunch as he did not bring any and Connie and Jim went shopping
in Jacksonville. We picked up all trash we saw which was very little and mostly all
at the ramp

Jim and I went clamming and came home with over 100 clams. This was a very nice
ending for a shortened but enjoyable day on the water.

Next week, Wednesday, we probably will do French Creek. Elmer.

Elmer Eddy
Elmer, The White Oak River Trashman
Stewards of The White Oak River Basin
101 River Reach Drive West,
Swansboro, NC. 28584
910-389-4588 e-mail: elmer@whiteoakstewards.org
Please visit our website: http://www.whiteoakstewards.org/
"If no one litters, there will be no litter!

# posted by Elmer @ 1:29 PM