Stewards of the White Oak River Basin Current Events

2008-07-09 New River, Camp Lejeune, NC

Here we are at the Rte 172 high rise bridge over the New River, in Camp Lejeune. Al Morris is already in the water with his kayak and his home made paddle of western red cedar. It is beautiful and light and very efficient. It seems like he glides forever with one paddle stroke. Jim Neidermeyer is waiting for me to come back from parking my truck. He is holding my dry bag for my keys and wallet and is read to go.

The view is down stream toward the New River Inlet. That is Sneads Ferry on the right and Jarretts Point on the left.

In spite of the dire weather predictions, which apparently scared other paddlers away, we had excellent paddling conditions weather wise. As there were only three of us and we all were in one vehicle we had no shuttle vehicle and so put-in here and took out here.

The trash was heavy along the shore of Ellis Cove. So much so that we were loaded before we got to the point where Ellis Creek begins. The tide was low and all the trash grounded us in the shallow water. We had to unload our canoe right there, two small points before Ellis Creek.

We then paddled out into deeper water and entered Ellis Creek. We saw two osprey nests occupied and some great blue herons and several little green herons. It was a beautiful creek with several smaller creeks along the way. It was a wilderness like setting.

We came upon a sign stating Polluted Waters. We could not believe this. When we got closer and read the smaller letters. It said it was a growing area for shell fish

harvested from polluted waters and placed in these waters to grow and become edible for human consumption.

2008-07-02 New River on Camp Lejeune, NC

Weil Pt on Frenchs Creek to Rt 172 Sneads Ferry Bridge

Come with us by these pictures and enjoy this great river as we did today.

This is a wide open section of the New River. It makes for very difficult paddling in strong winds. We were very fortunate today. We started out with calm waters and had light winds on a off with sunshine all day. We also had the pleasure of two young couples, twin brothers, and their wives on vacation from Minneapolis. They are the sons of Maria Russell of Jacksonville. They are identified in the following photo taken at the amphibious ramp at Weil Point on Frenchs Creek.

2008-06-25 Frenchs Creek, Camp Lejeune, NC

We launched our canoe and kayaks at the amphibious landing craft area near Weil Point at confluence of Frenchs Creek and the New River.

Here is the group at the launching area. L/R, Dale Weston from Jacksonville, Hugh and Linda Passingham from Maplehurst, Elmer Eddy from Swansboro,

Jack Cleaves from Cedar Point, Mary K. Gardner from Swansboro and Jim Niedermeyer from Hubert. Ed Gruca from Emerald Isle was the cameraman.

The following pictures will take you on our tour today as we explored up the southern shore line of Frenchs Creek and then up Jumping Run Creek and the

on the north shoreline up Cowhead Creek. All of these creeks could be opened to further upstream navigation if the blown down trees were removed. We hope this is done sometime in the near future.

The group again in the shade at an access at the end of a dirt road which ends at the point where Frenchs Creek bears to the right and Jumping Run Creek continues straight. We ate our lunch here on the way back from exploring Jumping Run. Ed set the camera up here and got in the picture himself on the right.

Jim Crownover, one of our original Stewards, lives in Pennsylvania. He and his family have been spending their vacations here. He will be paddling with us in three weeks but feels this may be the last time he can drive down. He has one time share for sale and another one for rent.

Please e-mail him if you or your relatives or friends are interested.

Vacation timeshare for sale
Week 28, efficiency deeded, Ocean front, $4,200.00
Whaler Inn Beach Club located on the ocean in beautiful Pine Knoll Shores.
Minutes away from restaurants, shopping and entertainment. Ocean fishing
from the beach.
Charter fishing and boat rentals available at nearby marinas.
Ocean front on the Crystal Coast of North Carolina.
Balcony overlooking the beach. Full kitchen, washer and dryer in unit.
Indoor/outdoor heated swimming pool and Jacuzzi.
http://www.crownover.com/c06-28.html
This one can be rented for July 2008 for $750.00.

Vacation timeshare for sale
Week 30, efficiency deeded, Ocean front, $3,800.00
Whaler Inn Beach Club located on the ocean in beautiful Pine Knoll Shores.
Minutes away from restaurants, shopping and entertainment. Ocean fishing
from the beach.
Charter fishing and boat rentals available at nearby marinas.
Ocean front on the Crystal Coast of North Carolina.
Balcony overlooking the beach. Full kitchen, washer and dryer in unit.
Indoor/outdoor heated swimming pool and Jacuzzi.
http://www.crownover.com/timesharec03.html

Jim ________________________________

2008-06-17 Bogue Sound

A paddle of about 7.5 miles. We put-in at Langston Bridge on Route 58 going over to Emerald Isle.

This is where the new motorboat access ramps were to be constructed. NCDOT nixed the idea and

they will now be built at Tommy Drive in Cedar Point which we are now using as a Canoe and Kayak

access.

Fortunately for us they removed the fence to the water and this is now an excellent natural access

to Bogue Sound for canoes and kayaks off of 58 just before the bridge on the right

Our take-out was at Park Dr about mile 15 opposite the large parking area for beach access on Rte 58

in Emerald Isle. We paddled by the beautiful waterfront homes in Cape Carteret and went around the

south shore of Hunting Island where we crossed the ICW to cruise along the shores of the chain of islands

with sandy beaches along the ICW.

When we got to opposite Cedar Street in Emerald Isle we were so loaded with trash we had to paddle across
and unload our trash there. A couple on the pier called Town Hall for us to ask them to pick up the trash for us.

We were heavily loaded with the usual trash and about 15 ghost crab pots which had been thrown over into

the marsh. We left some more trash at our take-out at Park Drive.

We had a most enjoyable trip. Very profitable for Hugh Passingham who picked up a five dollar bill!

I feel I did better than Hugh as I got about 30 clams with some help from the others.

It was an ideal day to be on the water and we had the entire Bogue Sound mostly to ourselves.

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.