Stewards of the White Oak River Basin: April 2007

2007-04-27

2007-04-25 Cape Carteret to Broad Creek

Every paddle trip is different. This one turned out to be more so than

most.

We launched at the foot of Bayshore Drive. There is no public access here

and we parked on private property.

Due to the strong southwest winds we did not explore Hunting Island

Creek. The winds would have been head on coming back. We wanted to

search for a possible public launch site as this creek goes up to

and under Route 24. It would make a an excellent place for a badly

needed public access for canoes and kayaks to get on Bogue Sound.

Very shallow sand bars near shore and even far out caused us to cross

the dredged ICW channel and paddle along the dredged spoil islands.

We ate lunch on one of them. This is where we noticed heavy treated

wood timbers and boards from destroyed docks and other hurricane debris.

We guess this stuff will stay there until the next hurricane picks it up

and moves it again.

In our opinion it is a hazard and should be removed from all these

islands. We cannot do it with our canoes and kayaks. Can some authority
please step in and remove this hazard before the next hurricane? They can
become battering rams destroying property in the next hurricane.

We went by Cannons Gate where Governor Easely purchased his waterfront

lot.We had wanted to check it out. Also Sanders Creek and Goose Creek.
Both have possible sites for a canoe and kayak access to Bogue sound.

The wind was so strong it moved us down the waterway without paddling

at 2 miles per our.

We arrived at our takeout at The Osprey Oaks Marina on Broad Creek about

2:00. We wanted to look for a possible public access on both prongs of

Broad Creek. Maybe that will be next weeks paddle from here to Gales Creek.
This access could be on Croatan Forest Land.

The public needs canoe and kayak access points all around Bogue Sound and we

don't need expensive ramps. All we need is a place to park and drop our

boats in the water!

This is a grounded large sailboat in the harbor at the foot of Bayshore

Drive in Cape Carteret. This is where the ferry to Emerald Isle docked.

This boat is sunk all the way.

This is the beautiful Harbor Light Bed and Breakfast overlooking

Hunting Island and Bogue Sound.

Our lunch stop. L/R Ken Jobe from Beaufort, Cal Hansen from New Bern,
Julia Miner from Arapahoe, Elmer Eddy from Swansboro, and Dale Weston
from Jacksonville. Thanks to Tom Hill of Jacksonville for the picture.

Another view of this very inviting sandy beach for our lunch stop.

Picture by Tom Hill. Wouldn't our tourists with children and canoes
and kayaks love to be able to get here with a short paddle from
the mainland. If we, who know these waters, cannot find public
accesses how can they?

These islands are breeding grounds for our water foul. Picture by
Dale Weston.

Not bright enough! Try these! Ed is playing his "Bear" tricks!

Ed went too far! Mother nature knows best, Ed!

Next week, Wednesday, May 2, 2007, to be confirmed later,
Broad Creek to Gales Creek. All are welcome to join us. We will be
picking up all litter and looking for possible public access points.
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 @ 21:37 0 Comments Links to this post

2007-04-24

test by elmer

# posted by Elmer @ 12:33 0 Comments Links to this post

this is a test

# posted by Elmer @ 12:25 0 Comments Links to this post

2007-04-21 Cedar Point to Cape Carteret

(We also paddle tomorrow. See below. Come and join us.)

We had planned to put-in at Tommy Drive Parking area in Cedar Point and

paddle to the foot of Bayshore Drive in

Cape Carteret. We reversed the direction due to a Northeast Wind

predicted to change to the East. It was a good decision.

Jim and Carole Brown came down to see us off. They are Crystal Coast Canoe & Kayak members.
Jim is recovering from an operation and can't paddle yet. He hopes to be on the water soon.

That is Julia Minor of Arapahoe tidying up the area.

We paddled up every creek and canal along the way. The docked boats and

lovely homes were a sight to see.

Julia wants a small, low to the ground, windmill palm like this one. If

you know where she can get one please let her know.

This friendly tiger came down to see us while taking the above picture.

The following four pictures are under the Langston high rise bridge to

Emerald Isle on Route 58 where the Wildlife proposed boat ramp will be

constructed. We are forwarding these pictures to Mr. Gordon Miles of

Wildlife who has stated he thinks we could have our separate natural

access here on this sandy beach for canoes and kayaks with a very slight change in the plans.

We sure hope this works out as we cannot find places to drop our canoes

and kayaks in the water all around Bogue Sound.

We are planning to paddle completely around Bogue Sound.

On our very next paddle from Cape Carteret to Broad Creek we are having

to use private access points to get on or off the water.

As we paddled along we noticed street endings that looked like very good

natural places to drop a canoe or kayak in the water. We do not need

expensive ramps. By copy of this trip report we asking the authorities

of both Cedar Point and Cape Carteret if some of these can be designated

as "Canoe & Kayak Access Only".

An excellent place to launch canoes and kayaks! That flamingo was in the litter we picked up along the way.

By the time we left the Langston Bridge we realized we had to paddle

straight to Tommy Drive to be off the water by three. We got in at 3:10.

After we passed the White Oak River turning to the sea we had a strong out

going tide against us.The wind had picked up and changed all the way

around to the South.

This wireless internet is marvelous. Ed Gruca was able to come my rescue and get the pictures in with the story of the trip even though he is in Pennsylvania. Thanks Ed.

Tomorrow we continue our trip AROUND BOGUE SOUND by canoe and kayak. We are exploring every foot of shore line looking for possible access points to launch our boats.

We also pick up all litter and trash as we go. This is Spring Clean Up Time by our Governor for our State and by Keep America Beautiful.

We asked everyone to clean up wherever you are and tell us what you did. Only two have replied so far.

If you are not cleaning up where you are, please join us tomorrow at 9:00. We launch our boats at the foot of Bay Shore Drive in Cape Carteret. Turn at the Fish Trap Restaurant. We take out at The Osprey Marina on Broad Creek about 3:00. 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 @ 09:29 0 Comments Links to this post

2007-04-23

This Wednesday we will continue our paddles AROUND BOUGE SOUND. We will hug the shoreline all the way
picking up all trash as we go paddling up all creeks. We got only a small bag and a flamingo last trip!

As wind is indicated to be from the Southwest we will take out at Osprey Marina at the bridge over Broad Creek on Route 24 about 3:00 PM. . If some coming from the east could set the shuttle up here on the way in that would be great.

We will put-in at 9:00 at the foot of Bayshore Drive off Route 24, (by the new Fish Trap Restaurant).

All are welcome to join us. Elmer

________________________________

ELMER EDDY

ELMER@WHITEOAKSTEWARDS.ORG

STEWARDS OF THE WHITE OAK RIVER BASIN

WWW.WHITEOAKSTEWARDS.ORG

910-389-4588

# posted by Elmer @ 10:58 0 Comments Links to this post

2007-04-19

2007-04-19 Chaney Creek, Jacksonville, NC

As pretty a creek as you will find anywhere and it is right here in the very middle of Jacksonville, NC.

But, this is not very pretty, is it?

Nor this! This is behind Big Lots in the New River Shopping Center on Burnt House Branch. This

can be more easily picked up by land. Hargett St.bridge is just a short distance further upstream.

Instead of being a dump this should be an access point to launch canoes and kayaks.

Returnig only to find this.

This was easy. We went under it.

We have no idea what this is. Maybe someone can tell us. This was on Sandy Run Branch.

We were stopped shortly afterwards by blown down trees. This branch should and could be opened

to Onlsow Drive and probably Bell Fork Road.

One home owner along the way enjoys the river.

Another beautiful sight! This is downstream left at the Route 17 bridge.

This is the shore line of Phillips Park, a Jacksonville City Park!

We ate our lunch here. It makes an excellent access

to Chaney Creek just as it is for Canoes and Kayaks with no cost what-so-ever!

We picked this up after The Keep Onlsow Beautiful meeting and before going to The Round Table Meeting.

Here is all we could pick up today back at the Wildlife Ramp at the Jacksonville Waterfront today.

We estimate we could go back and pick up three times this much again.

That is Dale Weston of Jacksonville on the left, Elmer Eddy of Swansboro, center and Ed Gruca of Emerald Isle, right.

Elmer is holding the "Outstanding Environmental Award presented to Stewards Of The White Oak River Basin, awarded for Excellence in Promoting a Clean Community By Establishing High Environment Standards and Demonstrating Quality Leadership and Support For the Efforts of Keep Onlsow Beautiful, 2006 by Keep Onslow Beautiful."

We took our trash collected today on these three creeks to the Onslow

County Multi Purpose Complex and displayed it for all to see at the

State of The New River Round Table Meeting. That is Lisa Grant, Director

of Keep Onslow Beautiful who joined us in the picture.

Our rivers are Jacksonville's most valuable asset. We have got to stop abusing them like this. Chaney Creek, Burnt House Branch and Sandy Run Branch could all be lovely Canoe Trails as extensions of Philips Park and maintained just like the park.

We hope next year this Environmental Award can be presented to the City of Jacksonville for making these Canoe Trails come into existence and become a truly valuable asset for the enjoyment of all. We are asking them to do just that now.

In April of 2004 The New River Foundation had 150 people doing just what we did today. To see those pictures please click on 2004-04-11 on our web site on the Home Page on the left. We volunteers should never have to do this again!

# posted by Elmer @ 22:15 0 Comments Links to this post

2007-04-14

2007-04-13 Southwest Creek

Rt 17 to the Marina on MCAS New River

6.6 Miles

Ed Gruca of Emerald Isle and Elmer Eddy of Swansboro put-in on the north west shoulder

of US Route 17 south of Jacksonville. We had to leave our truck on the narrow shoulder of

the road between the guard rail and the highway pavement because the gate here is locked.

Fishermen have to do the same thing. There is a road to the river and we had the help of
the MCAS personnel who put-in on the base and paddled up to meet us. They helped us carry
our canoe and gear to the river which was difficult to say the least.

A County Access is needed badly here so the public who put-in up at Route 53 west of
Jacksonville can take out here. The present situation here for the public is miserable.

All of the MCAS personnel joined us on the water here at the bridge. We were very happy to
observe the huge, dense growth of alligator weed here at the bridge has been reduced to very
small patches. This is the most successful area we have seen of last years control efforts.

Here are Ed's pictures of our most enjoyable clean up of this lovely river made possible by
the personnel of the Marine Corp Air Station of Camp Lejeune.

The water level was very low. We had to twist around and work our way through many
fallen trees. They acted as strainers and collected trash and other debris. One new one
in particular will completely block the river at higher water levels. A trip through with chain
saws could open the river for unobstructed paddling very easily.

We will let Bianca Klein of MCAS tell you the rest of the story. We saw her taking pictures
of two 55 gallon drums we could not handle.

See the splash in the water. That was from the first alligator that Ed was trying to get a

picture of. He got the head of the second one that he didn't even know was there and before

he could get another shot the second one was gone tool We estimate they were 12 to 13 feet

long. We saw some baby alligators too.

Lunch stop at the Alligator Railroad bridge. Trash was heavy here. We need a couple of

"Please Don't Litter" signs here.

Look who was watching over us. We also saw another osprey with chicks in her nest.

A C-130 coming home.

The group could spread out and paddle together on the open lower reaches.

The Trashman and the loaded trash barge Ed and Elmer paddled. Each kayaker had

more trash too. When they had more than they could carry they unloaded into the barge.

MCAS gave us the very best shuttle service we have ever had. They loaded our canoe into

a large truck and drove us back to our truck parked on the shoulder of Route 17 near the

bridge.

This was a great ending to a pleasurable day on Southwest Creek and we can say this

section of this beautiful creek no longer has any ugly man made litter destroying its natural

beauty.

Thank you MCAS personnel for making this possible. Elmer

Click on Paddle Trail to see map for this paddle. When it opens, then click on "open in new window". The Zoom in or out to get what you want to see.

Paddle Trail

# posted by Elmer @ 08:05 0 Comments Links to this post

2007-04-12

Alligator on Northeast Creek

# posted by Elmer @ 08:16 0 Comments Links to this post

2007-04-10

2007-04-07 Northeast Creek

Piney Green to Northeast Park in Jacksonville, NC

The water was low. Gum Branch Gage just 2.35 inches. This

is our usual put-in spot in the woods on the northeast shoulder

of the bridge. Notice the steep high bank all out of the water.

We explored downstream toward the bridge and found this

sandy, sligthly sloping bar which made an excellent put-in.

Looking back toward Snow White. Notice the much easier

slope to the bank.

This is where the Eagle Scouts put in on the southwest shoulder.

This is the rip rap they had to contend with. How would you like to walk
over that carrying your boat and gear?

Looking down across the rip rap. When we drove up the Eagle Scouts

cars were lined up on the shoulder of the road here. This is not good

for a new access on this new bridge.

As we paddled downstream toward the bridge we ran into this

blown down tree blocking our way. We got out our electric saw

given to us by Swansboro United Methodist Church in Swansboro.

This is too large a tree for our saw and it took Ed Gruca a long

time to cut through this tree.

Here is what it looked like after Ed cut through it. .

These are two of the Scouts cleaning up a severe strainer just

below the bridge.

This is another picture of the same strainer which was huge and very

difficult to clear out.

That is Ed sitting on the base for the bust of the naked Lady of

the Woods. The high water had knocked her over. She is one

of the more unique and unusual finds in our clean ups.

A view of Northeast Creek

Lunch spot take out

A twisted dock at the lunch spot.

Wild azaleas over 10 feet high

Nearing the end of the paddle. We paddled quietly hoping to spot an alligator, but we did not see any.

We have some missed pictures and some missed communications. We Stewards were
supposed to have paddled up stream to Route 17 while the Eagle Scouts paddled down
stream. This way we would have had Northeast Creek cleared as a Canoe & Kayak Paddle
Trail all the way from Route 17 north and all the way down to Northeast Creek Park in
Jacksonville. This would be a beautiful new Canoe & Kayak Trail. It really should exist
and be developed all the way up into Hofmann Forest.

We have paddled it in Hofmann Forest and from Kellum Loop Road down. The section
above Kellum Loop Road had one huge tree across it just below Hofmann Forest.

At this writing we do not know how the Eagle Scouts made out. We hope to have their
report soon.

We also hope our County and Jacksonville will get together and make this a designated
paddle trail. We hope they will acquire or lease the property where Ed Gruca and I
put-in. This area was used by NCDOT as a staging area to build the new bridge.
They may even own it.

If this could be preserved as a public park it would be an excellent adjunct to Northeast
Creek Park.

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 @ 20:45 0 Comments Links to this post

2007-04-08

2007-04-05 White Oak River

Quarry Lakes to Haywood Landing

Here we are ready to launch our boats at the fishing concession ramps on

the Rock Quarry Lakes in Maysvile, NC. The White Oak River runs through

eight of these lakes. Lake #3 is connected off of #2.

Rear L/R are Bill Murray of Pine Knoll Shores, Paul Ferguson of Raleigh,

KenCourt of Jacksonville, Jim Morris of Morehead City, and Joanne Somerday of

New Bern. Front L/R, Paul Dunn of Beaufort, and Paul Petroski of

Pennsylvania

Same picture with Elmer Eddy of Swansboro added. (They insisted).

It was beautiful as we paddled through the lakes . Spring was busting

out allover with every thing greening up.

This was our first obstruction. Some went under it on the left and

others wentover it on the right.

This is amazing! This is at the confluence Black Swamp Creek and the White

Oak River. A huge beaver dam exists here. Last time the water level was six

feet higher than today and we were able to paddle upstream on Black Swamp

Creek right over the beaver dam.

This is how it looked today above the beaver dam where we paddled before.

See previous paddle

2007-03-05 Quarry Lakes/Dixon Field

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgfq35sf_546g2gsr8

This is a very unusual plant which seems to exist in profusion right

here only. Maybe Jeannie Kraus can tell us what it is.

Here it is again. This is reputed to be an old Indian Camping ground where
the Indians came every sping to catch the spring run of fish.

This is a very large tree covered in white blooms. Wild azaleas?

Balls of pink blooms which are very pretty in the sunshine.

Another shot of the same.

They must be wild azaleas

We took this picture under the bridge in the White Oak Family Camp Ground

at Route 17. The gauge read 10 inches. When the water is this low you will

bottom out on the ledges before you get to the lakes. This is why we

used the ramps at the fishing concession on the lakes.

We arrived at Haywood Landing before three. It was a most enjoyable trip

with a great group of folks. David Mooney of Burnsville drove up to

launch his canoe as we were leaving.

# posted by Elmer @ 11:54 0 Comments Links to this post

2007-04-06

Sorry to be so late in getting this report out. Elmer Eddy

2007-03-10 Cowhorn Creek/New River

Onlsow County, North Carolina

This is the very first Section of the seventeen mile Onlsow County

Canoe Trail which begins at Steed Park outside Richlands on Cowhorn

Road. It ends at the Wildlife Ramp in downtown Jacksonville on the New

River. We thank our Onslow County Commissioners for creating this Canoe

Trail and accesses.

This first section is 7 and 1/2 miles long and ends at McAllister

Landing on the New River at the bridge on Rhodestown Road. We put-in the

water at Steeds park at 10:30 and were off the river at 3:30 at

McAllister even with all this work. It is not a perfect job which J. R.

Batchelor can do with his crew but we can say you the can get down the

river now and enjoy it.

Cowhorn Creek averages less than one half the width of the New River

portion. Consequently we knew it would be blocked by fallen trees. We

got a little more than we expected as the following pictures will

illustrate. As you can see, no one would ever have been able to paddle

this lovely canoe trail. This same situation exists on most all of our

creeks which means they cannot be paddled by the general public. We hope

Grants now being applied for will restore all of our rivers to a usable

condition.

We are pleased to say one can now paddle Section One and have an

enjoyable trip. From Cowhorn Road to Gumbranch Road. Depending on our

rainfall and the activity of beavers you may have three beaver dams to

contend with. We simply pick off the sticks on the top of the dam wide

enough to allow our boats through and then paddle down the water chute

created. A little thrill of white water canoing here in Eastern North

Carolina!

If nature creates another strainer with wind and high water you may

have to portage around it. Here is a map of where we paddled.

Water level was perfect 3.7 fee See USGS New River gauge near Gum Branch

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?02093000

Put in at Steed Park access on Cowhorn Road. Onslow County created this excellent access here with good off road parking.That is TJ Hiele in the Jon boat cutting out the very first tree partially blocking the river at the start.

One of three beaver dams on Cowhorn Creek. They rebuild them over night. Just remove enough top sticks to create a space wide enough for your boat to go through and you will have a water slide or chute to go through. A little taste of "white water canoing"! That is Dale Weston.

Brian Wheat standing on the breach we made in the dam. Frank Hart on the right.

Mike above.

Our first blow-down. L/R Brian Wheat, TJ Hiele, Dale Weston

We decided to have lunch at this natural bridge.That is T.J. in his Jon boat.

He caught up to us with his tire and TV!

T.J. used his chain saw to free Dale's chain saw.

We chewed that old tree up with our PeeVee on our side and sent it down the creek.....somewhere??? That is Brian. He was on the PV and did that chewing.

There is the log down river.

Elmer Eddy

The group: L/R front, Mike Morrison, Mike Hart, an Eagle Scout, Tom Hart, Ed Gruca, back, Elmer, TJ, Dale, Brian, Frank Hart

Some views of the Cowhorn. Bottom right is one of many sculpted, limestone outcroppings.

Some blowdowns are not a problem except at higher water levels.

This is Tom Hart. Notice the sandy sediment on the right. The river gets a lot higher than that at times.

This one required a chain saw and a come-a-long! L/R TJ, Mike, and Dale.

These crossed trees remind one of a military wedding.

This was a large blowdown and strainer on the New River. L/R Thomas Hart, Mike Morrison,Frank Hart, Ed Gruca, Brian Wheat, TJ Thiele

TJ getting down to business.

Above. That is a large TV set and tire with rim in TJ's boat.

Look what we found in the strainer!!! Thomas Hart left and Mike Morrison holding the mullet caught by hand. Dr.

Bogus, if you will come with us you don't need all that expensive fishing equipment to catch a fish.

Above: Now it is a flying fish. We declared it to be a pop eye mullet.

Below: The Trashman and the trash. How can we stop people from throwing their discards in our rivers? Please help us to find a means to stop this horrible practice by some of our citizens. 100 hours of Community Service picking up trash and litter ought to do it. Let' install some surveillance cameras at some of these bridges where they are dumping.

That is the McAllister home in the background. They are the folks who gave the land to Onslow County to make this excellent access to the New River with safe off road parking and now known as McAllister Landing on the New River at Rhodestown Road our take-out today.

Thanks to all who participated and thanks to the McAllisters and our Onslow County Commissioners for making this wonderful Canoe Trail possible.

We ask all officials in Onslow County, cities, towns, and Camp Lejeune to cooperate and make every creek in the County a Canoe Trail we residents, and our visiting tourists, can use and navigate and enjoy. We need access to get on them and we need them clear of fallen trees. You cannot drive on a road with a fallen tree across it. Neither can you paddle a river with a fallen tree obstructing navigation. Let's open up our creeks, streams, rivers and all water ways to all forms of navigation and make full use of these wonders nature has bestowed upon us.

Hundreds of trails already exist. All they need is a little sign saying,"Canoe and Kayak access", so the public and our tourists will know they can drop their boats in the water there and paddle around. The Trashman.

# posted by Elmer @ 11:55 0 Comments Links to this post

2007-03-28 Jacksonville, North Carolina Harbor

Our purpose on this trip was to find out if we had a viable circular

Canoe Paddle Trail around the Greater Jacksonville Harbor north of the

bridge over the New River on Routes 17/24. We have been intrigued by the

waterways around the old waste water treatment ponds on the northern

shore.On the west is Little Creek.This connects to a waterway on the

north side of the ponds which takes us to an unnamed creek (Maple Street Creek?)back to the

New River which is the southern boundary of these ponds. We previously

explored this loop and with great difficulties we got through.

The difficulty was caused by massive bank to bank coverage

of very thick alligator and penny wart weeds. Both are noxious weeds and

should not be here fouling our waters. Efforts are underway to get rid

of this horrible weed growth. We can only hope they succeed.

We were impressed by the beautiful wilderness aura that existed here so

close to downtown Jacksonville. It made us think that this entire area

should become a Jacksonville City Park for all to enjoy.

Specialists have been hired by the City to ascertain what to do about

"downtown Jacksonville" to make it an attractive, interesting center of

the city for residents to work in and live in and for tourists to visit.

They declared Jacksonville's biggest asset to be The New River. They

recommended a foot bridge be added to the Old Bridge to bring the west

side of the river into the overall picture.

We launched our canoes and kayaks at the west end of the other close by

bridge upstream. Here is the story and pictures of this very

interesting paddle trip right here in greater"downtown Jacksonville".

The New River is our River. It is Jacksonville's most valuable natural

asset. Let's stop neglecting it and take vigorous strong action to

action to make it attractive and usable for our public to enjoy. We
desperately need signs designating these access points all along The New
River and its tributaries so we and our visiting tourists can find them and
use them.

We turned around past Mill Creek Green on River Drive. This Green is a

natural Canoe & Kayak Access Point to launch them or to stop for lunch

on a circular Canoe & Kayak Paddle Trail around Greater Jacksonville

Harbor. All it will take is a sign so designating it. Elmer

See:

Mill Creek, Jacksonville

A huge flock of very noisy laughing seagulls started us off from the docks at The Marina Cafe

ramp on Routes 17/24 in downtown Jacksonville, NC.

Durwood had to leave us in one hour. We went left up a short shallow creek to the west as he

told us it was loaded with litter. He was right. We picked up all we

could get to but look at what else we found. That is penny wart with

alligator weed to the right and rear.

Durwood left us and we paddled up the New River and crossed over into Little Creek.

That is TJ Hiele in his electric motor powered canoe with motor up and trying to

paddle through that solid mass of penny wart. That is alligator weed up

front and to the rear right. We struggled up a short way but could not

make it to the loop around the lakes. The tide was low adding to our

problems. We turned around and headed back downstream and to the east. Jim Brewster left us
here and headed back to the ramp. We paddled on and entered the eastern end of the loop which
we are calling Maple Street Creek.

We shortly came upon lovely homes along the creek. That is a huge beautiful camellia in full

bloom in the rear with azaleas on the sides. We had to turn around again

due to solid weed growth closing of the creek to paddling. The water is

deep but the same type of weed growth is too dense above the surface.

That is Steve Wand. He had just come home from fishing for trout. He invited us to use his lawn

as our lunch stop. I even had a lawn chair. We enjoyed a nice visit with

him and his wife Julie who came out to say hello. They pointed out the

high water mark for us. We must come back when the water is about half

way up to that and we certainly can then paddle around this very

interesting Canoe Trail around and separated from the lakes by a berm all

around them. They must be fresh water lakes.

That is Stephanie and Doug Tolbert in the far canoe. They are from Rolla, Missouri

where Doug is a grad student working on a doctorate in Aerospace Engineering. They

and TJ left us here as they had other commitments for the afternoon.

That is Bill Murray from Emerald Isle enjoying his desert.

We think this is a variety of Parrot Feathers. Pretty but it too can take over.

Bill and I paddled back to the New River and turned left to go up Mill Creek.

We came up on this pair of mallard ducks who were unusually tame and did not fly off.

There they are again with a downstream view of the river.

Further up Mill Creek we came upon the Muscovite ducks who were so tame they

refused to fly away.Notice how turbid the water is here. That yellow stuff is pine pollen.

Another view of the ducks, the pollen and the river scene.

More Muscovites further upstream.

There is an island here. These birds were observed coming down the other side

of this island.

These remains of a large ship were observed in the mouth of Mill Creek on our return to The

Marina Cafe and the end of this paddle.

It was a very interesting paddle. Our paddle today produced about 8 bags of trash and some other

stuff like a tire and a five gallon oil jug and some cardboard

One article was a first and most unusual. It was a white cylinder. From the label we learned

it was a water testing device. Bill Murray found it and called the number offering a reward for

returning it. It turned out to be the manufacturer in Loveland, Colorado. They shipped a crate

for Bill to put it in and Fed Ex picked it up Friday. Does anyone claim ownership?

# posted by Elmer @ 11:48 0 Comments Links to this post

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Stewards of the White Oak River Basin