2008-02-28
2008-02-26 Trent River from Quaker Neck Country Club to Quaker Knoll
Here are the pictures we promised you thanks to Jim Dunn who took them
and Ed Gruca who prepared them for us to put on the web.
the golf course at Quaker Neck Country Club. The public can use this ramp
for a fee. Just see Carl at the Pro Shop in the Club House.
Fineco from River Bend, Jim Niedermeyer from Hubert, Ronnie Dail, Jones,
County Water Dept. who does so much for us, Thanks, Ronnie, Bill Murray
from Pine Knoll Shores, Jim Stevens from New Bern, Elmer Eddy from
Swansboro, Dale Weston from Jacksonville, Scott Brown from Morehead City
Julia Miner from Arapahoe, Hugh Passingham from Maple Hill, Joanne
Somerday from River Bend and Cleo Smith from Raleigh.
Grand Canyon!
Some lovely palmettos along the way.
home for a friend he knew wanted it. It's removal sure made the river look
better. Would it have been there for evermore. Will it become a rain barrel?
Jim Niedermeyer and Elmer in the loaded trash barge. The kayaks have to
unload on us.
unload on us.
The take out at Quaker Knoll where Tommy Moore of Moore's OldeTyme
Barbeque has his Lodge.
Barbeque has his Lodge.
How much more sank? Do we want a river full of trash and broken glass?
Only the public can stop this. If no one litters, there will be no litter. For those
who ignore our anti-litter laws and continue to deliberately dump for their own
convenience, our enforcement personnel must apprehend them and see they
receive punishment according to our laws. The laws have no effect on those
dumping like this unless they are vigorously enforced.
beans and cole slaw. The frog legs were out on the porch and they were
excellent too. Never had any since my son an I used to get our own.
Looks good doesn't it? It was too. That is Tommy on the right.
Larry Meadows and retired County Manager and Franky Howard, new County
Manager. I can't remember the other gentleman's name. Got to write them
down. Please forgive me.
Manager. I can't remember the other gentleman's name. Got to write them
down. Please forgive me.
Commissioner Sandra Riggs.
Commissioner Sandra Riggs, Dale Weston and Hugh Passingham.
Unnamed gentleman, left Frank Howard, Jones County Manager center and
Jeff Bruton from North Carolina Department of Natural Resources right. Jeff
coordinated it all to make it possible for Jones County to get the Grant. We
thank you and NCDNR Jeff. It is great to be able to paddle this fantastic
river mother nature has provided for us all to enjoy again.
Jeff Bruton from North Carolina Department of Natural Resources right. Jeff
coordinated it all to make it possible for Jones County to get the Grant. We
thank you and NCDNR Jeff. It is great to be able to paddle this fantastic
river mother nature has provided for us all to enjoy again.
of the table and Commissioner Sandra Riggs right.
Behind us is the deck and a beautiful view of the Trent River.
Never before have we had such luxury and excellent dining on our paddle
trips. We sincerely thank all who made it possible.
Now that I think of it, because we just had a "wish I could be with you" note
from Pam Bader. We did eat our lunch at The Gourmet Restaurant in
Swansboro for Pam and Bob's going away party.
trips. We sincerely thank all who made it possible.
Now that I think of it, because we just had a "wish I could be with you" note
from Pam Bader. We did eat our lunch at The Gourmet Restaurant in
Swansboro for Pam and Bob's going away party.
We will put in here to continue our cleansing of the lovely Trent River on
Monday at 9:30. We will take out at Tar Landing in River Bend. We expect
to be off the river by 3:00.
Just remember to bring your own lunch this time. Please join us if you can.
Everyone is invited.
Monday at 9:30. We will take out at Tar Landing in River Bend. We expect
to be off the river by 3:00.
Just remember to bring your own lunch this time. Please join us if you can.
Everyone is invited.
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!”
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!”
2008-02-27
2006-03-03, Monday,Trent River From Quaker Knoll to Tar Landing in River Bend
Date Correction! Original posting had a February posting date already gone by!
We are paddling on Monday, March 3rd. Our long range weather forecast says,
"Sunny, 71 degrees" . We can't pass that up. Come join us. Elmer
THE CLEARING AND CLEANSING OF THE TRENT RIVER, JONES COUNTY'S GREATEST NATURAL ASSET
The Trent River has water! The Neuse River is running out of water at Raleigh due to the drought! How fortunate we are.
Two rain events in the Trent River watershed raised it by three to four feet each time. The USGS gauge near Trenton was above 8 feet for today's paddle. Come paddle it now!
The Trent is being cleared by a Grant Jones County Commissioners obtained from North Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
It is now clear and unobstructed by fallen trees from Chinquapin Chapel Road bridge, SR 1129,
to New Bern. See Section 3, on page 306 of Paul Ferguson's "Paddling Eastern NC". A new unimproved, natural, County access is right there upstream right of the bridge off of SR #1131.
We used it and it is a fine access to the river and a sorely needed one.
We hope this clearing will continue all the way upstream past Pleasant Hill to the Lenoir County line.
Stewards of The White Oak River Basin have paddled the river and cleared it of all trash and litter. Four pick up truck full loads of trash have been removed. They will paddle the river to the Jones County Line as fast as it is cleared for paddling. This will be through Comfort and Pleasant Hill.
The actual clearing was done by J & J Construction & Environmental under the direction and supervision of Larry Meadows, retired Jones County Manager.
February 26th paddle began at Quaker Neck Country Club on Oak Grove Road and ended at Quaker Knoll off Oak Grove Road. This is about 2 and 1/2 miles by road but via the twisting, winding Trent River it is 7.3 miles! And, yes, we removed another pick up truck load of trash as we paddled along.
This trashing of this lovely river has got to stop. Some few are deliberately dumping their discards off the bridges over the river. This practice must be stopped. It is a shame and a disgrace. It is illegal. It is polluting the Trent River!
We are asking Jones County and NCDOT to get together and erect signs at each bridge to stop this evil practice. And also to provide extra surveillance by patrol and by cameras. And then to prosecute by assigning the culprits to 100 hours of trash pick up along our highways.
The important thing to do then is to publicize the conviction widely across the entire State. This it what will curtail these folks with this bad habit of doing it again and deter others also.
Today all involved in this clearing and cleansing were treated to an excellent luncheon at Quaker Knoll on the Trent River. This was an expression of thanks by Jones County . The J ones County Commissioners were there and Jeff Bruton of NCDNR who worked with them to bring the Grant into being attended.
Tommy Moore of Moores Olde Tyme Barbeque prepared the food which was excellent and Jimmy Droze added a special touch by adding frog legs he prepared on the porch.
Some different from our usual lunches! We thank you all!
The setting was Tommy Moore's beautiful lodge on the Trent River above Pollocksville. To the thousand or more members of the Carolina Canoe Club who live upstate and have no water in your rivers due to the drought here is your chance to get some excellent winter paddling in. Tommy's lodge can be rented. It sleeps several and is right on the river. His cell phone # is 252-670-3040.
To all, if you wish to read more about this trip and see pictures of the clearing and cleansing of The Trent River and the elegant luncheon at the lodge, please visit our web site: whiteoakstewards.org again as soon as we can get it all on there.
We meet Monday, March 3rd at 9:30 AM at Quaker Knoll on Oak Grove Road, #1121, which is half way between the Marine OLF Air Staion and Rte 17 and is where we took out on our last paddle. If the gate should be please locked wait for me.
For those of you who can please leave shuttle vehicles at our take out at Tar landing in River Bend. Thanks, Elmer
2008-02-24
2008-02-20 Trent River - Jim Dunn's Photos
You can see all 90 (!) of Jim's photos here: http://picasaweb.google.com/elmereddy/20080220TrentRiverJimDunnSPhotos
2008-02-20 Trent River below Wilcox Bridge
These pictures are of two strainers on the Trent River which has just been cleared of fallen trees blocking all navigation on this river for years. This river was just cleared to a 15 foot clearance for free passage throuh these fallen trees. These pictures clearly show that this 15 opening is not sufficient in all cases. This river on February was at 3.3 feet at the USGA Chinquapin Chapel Road Gauge. Since then we have had two storm systems. Each one raised the water level over 3 feet. Today the gage was at 9.3 feet.
2008-02-21
2008-02-20 Trent River, Jones County, NC, from Wilcox bridge, on Middle Road, 6.3 miles downstream
Next week Tuesday, the 26th we meet at The Quaker Neck Country Club on Oak Grove Road and paddle down to Pollocksville. Join us if you can.
The following pictures were taken by Jim Dunn and Joanne Somerday and prepared for the web site by Ed Gruca.
The group picture is missing as I accidentally deleted it. Ed will restore it.
L/R Ronnie Dail, Jones County Water Dept., Larry Meadows, former Jones County Manager, supervising the clearing of the fallen trees under the Grant. Joanne Somerday of River Bend, Jim Niedermeyer of Hubert, Larry Ausley of Raleigh, Jimmy Frank of Jones County, Cal Hansen of New Bern, Elmer Eddy of Swansboro, Tom Fineco of River Bend,Julia Miner of Arapahoe, Paula Urban of New Bern, Brian Leavy of /Rochester, NY, Jennine Dunn of Jacksonville, Dale Weston of Jacksonville and Hugh Passingham of Maple Hill.
For a slide show by Larry Ausley see: http://picasaweb.google.com/lausley/TrentRiver2_08
The following pictures and Larry's above clearly demonstrate that the 15 foot clearance is not good as it creates huge strainers and introduces hazardous conditions. USGA Gauge at Chiquapin Chapel Road bridge was 3.3 feet. We got a good rain and the river rose over three feet. Then we got a second rain and the river went to 9.3 feet which is where it is now leveling off. It will rise again even more and these trees left lying across the river cause nothing but trouble and should be cut back to the natural bank with out disturbing the bank. We hope the folks providing these Grants will allow this to be done in the future. If not, they then need to provide maintenance money so the river can be cleared after each fresh flush of water.
Here we are started downstream. See that ugly tree on the right. When
they started clearing the river of fallen trees that tree was six feet above the
water. When the water rises another six feet, which it will, it will become a
serious hazard and create a strainer too. Those who supply Grant money to
clear rivers of fallen trees should allow trees like this to be removed to the
bank without disturbing the bank.
Next week Tuesday, the 26th we meet at The Quaker Neck Country Club on Oak Grove Road and paddle down to Pollocksville. Join us if you can.
The following pictures were taken by Jim Dunn and Joanne Somerday and prepared for the web site by Ed Gruca.
The group picture is missing as I accidentally deleted it. Ed will restore it.
L/R Ronnie Dail, Jones County Water Dept., Larry Meadows, former Jones County Manager, supervising the clearing of the fallen trees under the Grant. Joanne Somerday of River Bend, Jim Niedermeyer of Hubert, Larry Ausley of Raleigh, Jimmy Frank of Jones County, Cal Hansen of New Bern, Elmer Eddy of Swansboro, Tom Fineco of River Bend,Julia Miner of Arapahoe, Paula Urban of New Bern, Brian Leavy of /Rochester, NY, Jennine Dunn of Jacksonville, Dale Weston of Jacksonville and Hugh Passingham of Maple Hill.
For a slide show by Larry Ausley see: http://picasaweb.google.com/lausley/TrentRiver2_08
The following pictures and Larry's above clearly demonstrate that the 15 foot clearance is not good as it creates huge strainers and introduces hazardous conditions. USGA Gauge at Chiquapin Chapel Road bridge was 3.3 feet. We got a good rain and the river rose over three feet. Then we got a second rain and the river went to 9.3 feet which is where it is now leveling off. It will rise again even more and these trees left lying across the river cause nothing but trouble and should be cut back to the natural bank with out disturbing the bank. We hope the folks providing these Grants will allow this to be done in the future. If not, they then need to provide maintenance money so the river can be cleared after each fresh flush of water.
Here we are started downstream. See that ugly tree on the right. When
they started clearing the river of fallen trees that tree was six feet above the
water. When the water rises another six feet, which it will, it will become a
serious hazard and create a strainer too. Those who supply Grant money to
clear rivers of fallen trees should allow trees like this to be removed to the
bank without disturbing the bank.
This is Jim and Elmer going back upstream to see what is holding up the
rest of the group.
This is Larry Ausley. We could do without that brush on the right, but we can live
with it if it does not create a strainer blocking the river again.
The 15 foot clearance is gone!
Our happy paddler, Cal Hansen, who conducts the Salt Water Adventure
Paddle around Croatan Forest every year. He is leading another group to
do the Suwanee River in a few weeks.
Paddle around Croatan Forest every year. He is leading another group to
do the Suwanee River in a few weeks.
Larry A. and Tom still struggling with the same strainer.
Larry is free at last. See his milk crate trash bucket. That is Joanne behind
him.
Julia leading the pack as usual.
Happy paddler, Cal again.
Paula going with the flow. You really didn't have to paddle at all.
Larry Meadows, left, Frank Wiggins, center and Jennine right. Why is their
motor out of the water?
motor out of the water?
Joanne cleaning up the trash collected in another strainer. These strainers like
like this are an unnecessary evil. The river would be better off without them.
like this are an unnecessary evil. The river would be better off without them.
Tom in another strainer.
Who is that in that mess. Why it is Julia getting out trash collected in this
strainer.
strainer.
We are not trash hunting! We are trying to get down river. This was a
severe blockage.
severe blockage.
Yes, Larry A. is in his kayak in the strainer.
Always happy Dale in his single Old Town.
Hugh going with the flow.
Brian left and Cal right at lunch stop.
Jim and Jennine in their canoe.
Here they are again heading downstream. That is Elmer and Jim over there
on the right to get trash.
on the right to get trash.
Lovely palmettos. At one place the entire very high bank was solid with them.
Sorry we did not get a picture of them.
How do you like this mess? Please Grant providers write your Grants so this
will not exist!
will not exist!
Julia being assisted by Larry M. and Hugh at the take-out.
Back to get our cars.
The day's haul. This is unnecessary folks. Please do not litter. The majority
of this comes from people throwing their personal trash off the bridges. We
hope our leaders will erect signs on bridges and surveillance cameras and
catch the culprits and have them assigned to pick up litter along our highways
for 100 hours. A few convictions like this will bring this practice to a halt.
of this comes from people throwing their personal trash off the bridges. We
hope our leaders will erect signs on bridges and surveillance cameras and
catch the culprits and have them assigned to pick up litter along our highways
for 100 hours. A few convictions like this will bring this practice to a halt.
A closer view. Disgusting, isn't it.!!!!!
Ronnie with it all loaded. Last week he said it weighed 380 pounds.
Can you believe this? Paula backed out all the way from the river to here and
then turned too soon before getting on the highway.
then turned too soon before getting on the highway.
Hugh, with his Dodge 2500 four wheel drive and a strong rope eased her
right out of there and she and her car are as good as new. .
We had a great time and lots of fun and we left this beautiful river trash free
as it should always be.
Join us next week if you can.
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!”
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!”
2008-02-16
2008-02-15 Trent River, Chinquapin Chapel Road to Route 58, Jones County, NC
This section of the Trent River is most enjoyable. It twists and turns and doubles back on itself and has one small and two large islands at this water level which was a little over six feet at the USGS gauge which is mounted at the Chinquapin Chapel Bridge called Free Bridge.
This section is described on page 306 being Section #3 of "Paddling Eastern North Carolina, expanded 2nd edition" by Paul; Ferguson. As the crow flies the distance is 2.4 miles. Paul says 5.5 miles paddling. Cal Hansen's GPS said 6.5 miles. Our extra mile is due to going from bank to bank to retrieve trash along the shore lines and into the strainers.
Recent rains have raised the water level by three feet. Consequently the high banks are reduced this much which changes everything. So much so it seemed like different river today.
The Trent River is now cleared of obstructions to navigation (blown down trees blocking the river) from Chinquapin Chapel Road, SR # 1129, to its confluence with the Neuse River at New Bern. This is the first time in years that this has been possible.
This opening up of this river to paddling again is because The Jones County Commissioners obtained a Grant to have it so cleared. They hope to obtain more funds to continue this operation all the way to the County Line above Pleasant Hill. We sure hope they do.
Also, Jones County owns the land at the N/W shoulder of the bridge here at the junction of SR 1129 and 1131 all the way to Little Chinquapin Branch. This provides us with a excellent access to The Trent River and we used it today for the very first time. It is now closed off with a locked cable. We hope to get them leave it open at all times as it needs to be for a Public Access.
If you use it and you find the cable locked simply park on the shoulders of SR 1131 and carry or drag your boats to the water.
We had a great trip today. The story and some pictures to follow.
This Joanne Somerday in the parking lot of the Jones County Offices getting ready to taking off.
has to be spent on this except to cut the grass and bushes.
Joanne taking off.
Larry Jones under way. That is the Chinquapin Chapel Road bridge.
Ronnie Dail seeing Joanne off.
Everybody is getting underway. Julia had a little accident got a little wet.
We are off and heading down stream.
This is a strainer which collects trash. Taking three of us to clean it.
Plenty of wood left in the river for the micro and macro invertebrates!
Lunch stop.
Joanne and Elmer. We always check each others lunches. She had a peanut
butter and miniature chocolate kisses sandwich. I had beef stew.
Cal, John and Brian.
Coming up on Route 58 bridge.
Pretty river view. Good water. Somewhat turbid due to storm water run off.
Jim and Elmer with a boat load of trash. We in canoes become trash barges
for the kayakers.
Debarking and unloading.
Ginnie didn't have to be towed this trip. We had good flow from one to two
miles per hour.
Dale picked a tough spot to get out!
Jim and Elmer loaded with trash.
We got it all unloaded and on shore.
it for us and running our shuttle. That saved us beaucoup time.
It is a shame and a disgrace that people disobey our laws and dump their
trash off bridges into this beautiful river. Our leaders need to enforce our
litter laws and get this evil process stopped.
The river has been cleared of fallen trees to here. We have one more section
to clear it of trash from Wilcox Bridge, Middle Road, SR # 1300 to the Thomas
Waller farm where we put in earlier.
Maybe we can do that next week.
Thanks to Jim Dunn and Joanne for the pictures and thanks to Ed Gruca for
setting them up for me to get on the internet. Elmer
2008-02-14
2008-02-12 Trent River at River Bend, NC
That is Doug Toltzman with his camera mounted on a tripod to record a video
which is already on our web site. He is on Joanne Somerday's boat which is
appropriately named "Summer Day". Sorry, that picture disappeared and the one
below is: L/R Julia Minor form Araphoe, Jim Niedermeyer from Hubert, Hugh
Passingham from Jacksonville, Elmer Eddy from Swansboro, Brian Leavy from
Rochester, NY, John Clecker from New Bern, Dale Weston from Jacksonville and
Tom Fineco from River Bend. We are at Tar Landing on the Trent River in River
Bend. This is exactly where we met Tom in 2003 and he has been paddling with us
ever since.
Here is Doug with tripod and Capt, Joanne Somerday of River Bend at the helm.
Here is Tom Fineco snoozing waiting for us to get going.
This is Hugh Passingham ready to go.
Here is Julia Miner always in the lead
This is Dale Weston, leading Trashman of the New River. One time he came in with a safe!
That is Jim Niedermeyer. He had to get out of the canoe to get what ever piece of trash
it was.
Here we are coming out of Muddy Creek back to the Trent River.
This is as far as we could get up Muddy Creek due to the obstructions you see in the water.
Tom Fineco found some piece of trash over there. The reflection is the water is more
beautiful than the forest. Tom rippled the waters a little.
Our trash for the day. River Bend Water Department personnel picked it up for us. We thank
you very much. Julia took a wicker chair home with her. All we find is not trash. Especially
the footballs, tennis balls, soccer balls, basketballs, soft balls, baseballs, golf balls, volley
balls, beach balls, ping-pong balls and all kinds of floats for fishing, daubers, etc.
Ed Gruca found a wooden Cowboy fully dressed one time. We brought in a tire this time
which does not show in the picture.
Hugh packing up and checking out at the Marina.
Loading the boats at the Marina. We had to drive back to Tar landing to get our cars. We had
planned to paddle back but strong winds gusting to 35 to 40 miles per hour changed our minds.
Dale securing his canoe.
All of the above pictures were taken by Jim Dunn of Maple Hill. Thanks a million Jim. And
we have to thank Ed Gruca who is in Richmond for preparing them so I could get them on our
web site.
Because our trip was cut short by the wind we were invited to Joanne Somerday's lovely home
at Pier Pointe in River Bend for lunch. Never before have we ever had such a luxourios setting
for our lunch stop. Thanks Joanne and pat Blacky for us all. When are his kittens due?
Thanks to Doug Toltzman for the video. He passed up paddling with us to do it . The video
is on our site. And thank you, Joanne, Capt. of "Summerday" for making it all possible.
Every trip is different. This one was very different and also most enjoyable and we left the
waters clean behind us.
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!”
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!”
2008-02-13
2008-02-12, Trent River at River Bend, NC
The above is a link to a video by Doug Toltzman of our trip on River Bend waters on The Trent River. The side Creek we went up was Muddy Creek. Elmer
Her is the link:
http://www.oakstreetsoftware.com/~doug/feb12m.php
Her is the link:
http://www.oakstreetsoftware.com/~doug/feb12m.php
2008-02-Trent River at River Bend, NC
2008-02-12, Trent River at Ruver Bend, NC
2008-02-12
2008-02-06
2008-02-04 Southwest Creek, Jacksonville, NC
Thanks to
We were honored to have Onslow County Representative, George Cleveland
paddling with us. L/R Represenative George Cleveland, Scott Brown from Morehead City,
Elmer Eddy from Swansboro, Dale Weston from Jacksonville, Jim Morris from Morehead City,
Lance Goodrum from New Bern, (his wife Ginny was with us too), George Speth from Jacksonville, Hugh Passingham from Jacksonville and our New River Keeper, Brian Wheat from Jacksonville.
Jim Dunn was taking our pictures and is responsible for all today. Thanks Jim. Jim is from Maplehill. He also supplied his truck and trailer to transport our boats on the shuttle.
All boats of people who did not have Department of Defense stickers on their
vehicles had to unload their boats onto Jim Dunn's trailer. This is because our
normal take-out place at Rte 17 is now Posted with No Trespassing signs by the
the new owner. We had to go on under 17 to a take-out on MCAS property.
A public access is sorely needed at Rte 17. We hope NCDOT, and The City of Jacksonville
can work this out so the General Public and our Tourists can enjoy this river.
This is our put-in at Rte 53 bridge. This whole area is badly trashed but we had to leave
it as it can be picked up by land. If we had stayed to pick it up we would never have been able to get to Rte 17. There was a huge dump here. It is developing again and
needs to be stopped. We got off at 10:12.
This is a short distance below the Rte 53. The water is too low for good paddling.
It took time to maneuver through thick patches of alligator weed which will completely
block this section if not sprayed. The flea beetles are obviously not doing it.
Small beaver dams also blocked the river in places. We recommend waiting for some
good rains to paddle this section again.
Lance Goodrum below.
Brian Wheat below.
We met up with JR Batchelor's Mosquitoe Control Group here.
George Speth had the misfortune of getting caught on a grape vine
that turned him over. They took him home for a change of clothes
and he caught up with us latter.
Picture missing.
Representative George Cleveland on the left leading the pack.
Elmer taking it easy. Ginny and Lance on the left.
MCAS Patrol Officer met us at the take out.
The Old Wooden Bridge at the take-out.
Reloading the boats to get back to Rte 17 for our vehicles. All this would not
be necessary if we had a designated Canoe & Kayak Access at Route 17 Bridge.
Thanks to
Onslow County Commissioners for obtaining a Grant to clear this
lovely river of blown down trees blocking it to navigation of any kind. This group
below gathered in The Food Lion parking lot across from the Main Gate to MCAS
to paddle this river from Rte 53 to Rte 17 south.
We were honored to have Onslow County Representative, George Cleveland
paddling with us. L/R Represenative George Cleveland, Scott Brown from Morehead City,
Elmer Eddy from Swansboro, Dale Weston from Jacksonville, Jim Morris from Morehead City,
Lance Goodrum from New Bern, (his wife Ginny was with us too), George Speth from Jacksonville, Hugh Passingham from Jacksonville and our New River Keeper, Brian Wheat from Jacksonville.
Jim Dunn was taking our pictures and is responsible for all today. Thanks Jim. Jim is from Maplehill. He also supplied his truck and trailer to transport our boats on the shuttle.
All boats of people who did not have Department of Defense stickers on their
vehicles had to unload their boats onto Jim Dunn's trailer. This is because our
normal take-out place at Rte 17 is now Posted with No Trespassing signs by the
the new owner. We had to go on under 17 to a take-out on MCAS property.
A public access is sorely needed at Rte 17. We hope NCDOT, and The City of Jacksonville
can work this out so the General Public and our Tourists can enjoy this river.
This is our put-in at Rte 53 bridge. This whole area is badly trashed but we had to leave
it as it can be picked up by land. If we had stayed to pick it up we would never have been able to get to Rte 17. There was a huge dump here. It is developing again and
needs to be stopped. We got off at 10:12.
This is a short distance below the Rte 53. The water is too low for good paddling.
It took time to maneuver through thick patches of alligator weed which will completely
block this section if not sprayed. The flea beetles are obviously not doing it.
Small beaver dams also blocked the river in places. We recommend waiting for some
good rains to paddle this section again.
Lance Goodrum below.
Brian Wheat below.
We met up with JR Batchelor's Mosquitoe Control Group here.
George Speth had the misfortune of getting caught on a grape vine
that turned him over. They took him home for a change of clothes
and he caught up with us latter.
Picture missing.
Representative George Cleveland on the left leading the pack.
Elmer taking it easy. Ginny and Lance on the left.
MCAS Patrol Officer met us at the take out.
The Old Wooden Bridge at the take-out.
Reloading the boats to get back to Rte 17 for our vehicles. All this would not
be necessary if we had a designated Canoe & Kayak Access at Route 17 Bridge.
We got them all on there!
This is a view of the Haws Run Bridge which is the first bridge down from Rte 53.
We ate lunch here and unloaded our trash at the bridge. We had to. We had two
a tires and a 55 gallon drum and many bags of just plain trash.
The trash was so heavy it took a very long time to get here which is about 30% of
the way. Also the water level was too low to have good clear paddling on this section.
We had to stop picking up trash and paddled straight though this lower section. It was discouraging to see the very large volume of trash along the river. Some few people are
using these bridges as the personal trash disposal We must get this stopped.
Fishermen near the bridges are also leaving everything disposable behind. We have got to stop this practice.
Littering is illegal. The laws are on the books. We must enforce the laws at these bridges.
Assigning the culprits to 100 hours of Community Service picking up litter should do it.
At the take-out on Camp Lejeune.
It was a most enjoyable day on the river. We hope NCDOT, The City of Jacksonville
and Onslow County can and will work together so the general public and our visiting
tourists can also enjoy this river by providing access and designating Canoe Trails.
All our streams collectively are our biggest and most valuable natural assets. We need to make them available to our visiting tourists.
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!”
This is a view of the Haws Run Bridge which is the first bridge down from Rte 53.
We ate lunch here and unloaded our trash at the bridge. We had to. We had two
a tires and a 55 gallon drum and many bags of just plain trash.
The trash was so heavy it took a very long time to get here which is about 30% of
the way. Also the water level was too low to have good clear paddling on this section.
We had to stop picking up trash and paddled straight though this lower section. It was discouraging to see the very large volume of trash along the river. Some few people are
using these bridges as the personal trash disposal We must get this stopped.
Fishermen near the bridges are also leaving everything disposable behind. We have got to stop this practice.
Littering is illegal. The laws are on the books. We must enforce the laws at these bridges.
Assigning the culprits to 100 hours of Community Service picking up litter should do it.
At the take-out on Camp Lejeune.
It was a most enjoyable day on the river. We hope NCDOT, The City of Jacksonville
and Onslow County can and will work together so the general public and our visiting
tourists can also enjoy this river by providing access and designating Canoe Trails.
All our streams collectively are our biggest and most valuable natural assets. We need to make them available to our visiting tourists.
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!”
2008-02-01
2007-01-30 Trent River above Trenton
There were 11 of us. Larry Meadows divided us into two groups to get more of the river done. This is the group that put in at the Thomas Waller farm. That is Ronnie Dale on the left who escorted us to our access point. Next is Joanne Somerday from New Bern. Then Ken Court from Jacksonville and Jim Niedermeyer from Hubert and John Clecker from New Bern. We carried our boats through the woods to the river. The river bank was very steep and very high as you can see.
The beautiful high, steep river banks continued. That gray material is tobacco bed covering we think. We hope someone can remove it. It is an eyesore and destroys the beauty of the river bank. .
The dense canopy of trees will provide cooling shade in the summer months.
Picking up trash along the shore line.
A close up of the beaver dam.
We hope Jones County and/or NCDOT can erect signs on these few bridges to curtail this evil and illegal practice. A few convictions with 100 hours of community service picking up trash will curtail it.
Here we are still at it.
We had an excellent paddle. Thanks to Jones County for making it possible.
We hope someone in the other group will write up a report on their section. They paddled from where we took out down to the Wildlife Ramp in Trenton.
We joined them at the Wildlife Ramp and combined our trash with theirs. We again filled the pick up truck. Ronnie and A C took if off our hands and we thank you both for all you did for us today.
This Monday, February 4, we will paddle Southwest Creek in Jacksonville. Onslow County has had this creek cleared by a Grant and we are anxious to paddle it.
We meet at 9:00 in the Food Lion parking lot across from the main gate to MCAS on Rte 17 south. Please join us if you can.
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!”
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!”
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