Kayak Hike - Day of the Alligator Gar

Kayak Hike:  Cooter's Pond to RTJ (Alabama River), Saturday, June 29, 2013, 10:30-13:30 CDT
Distance: Estimated 6 miles  Rating: 5/5
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Conditions:  Mostly cloudy to Partly cloudy.  Wind: light & variable  Water level higher than normal due to recent rains.  Very warm & humid.

Thoughts/Observations:
Kayaking with the 'Bro'.  First time we have launched at Cooter's Pond in a while without being run out by thunderstorms.  Had a great day of kayak-exploring.  Glenn did a little fishing with spin casting reel.  I did not bring fly-fishing or spinning gear this trip.

We explored along the bank from the launch ramp to RTJ Golf course.  A "finger" of the Alabama River goes under a bridge at RTJ and almost all the way to I-65 (you can hear traffic near the end of the slough).  The giant slough has many acres of lily-pads.  So many that it would be easy to think you were in Florida.  We observed several Great Blue Herons and Egrets busy with their own fishing.  Small, bright red Cardinals, Purple Martins, and Mockingbirds were active along the riparian tree-lines.

The "stars" of the day though were Alligator Gar!  I was amazed at their jumps -- several feet out of the water.  Some gar were 4' or longer.  Quite impressive as they rocketed out of the water and fell back with a great splash.

Glenn saw one alligator near the end of the slough but could not determine his size.

I am never bored at the splendor of GOD's Creation.  HE is magnified in HIS work.

Brandon's Graduation -- Charles Henderson High School - May 2013

Food For Thought

"The quest for excellence is a mark of maturity.  The quest for power is childish."  

- Max Lucado

Food for Thought

"There are two dangers in not owning a farm: the belief that heat comes from the furnace and food comes from the supermarket."

- Aldo Leopold

Hiking Mountain Creek - Sat., 6/8/2013

 

Hike:  Mountain Creek, Saturday, 6/8/2013, 09:30-11:30CDT

Distance: 4 miles  Rating: 4/5  

Difficulty: Easy

Conditions:  Mostly cloudy. Light breeze.  Hot/humid.  Trails mostly dry.  Creek level low.  No other hikers on trail today.

Thoughts/Observations:

Gray squirrels, cardinals, thrashers, crows, and lizards kept me company today.  Oh... there were GNATS too!  Tons and tons of the little, bothersome creatures.  Guess I should have taken DEET or some other repellant....  It is amazing how much worry such a small creature can bring.

I did enjoy my hike -- in spite of the flying pests.  Even though summers in Alabama are hot and humid, I still enjoy getting out on the trails and drinking in the beauty of GOD's Creation.  I am blessed!

Tried out the Gerber Brush axe on the sticker-vines on the Hickory Hill Trail.  It worked quite well at clearing out even the tough "saw briars".  Altogether a useful tool to have around the homestead. 

Kayaking Upper Autauga Creek - Saturday 6/1/2013

Kayak: Upper Autauga Creek, Saturday, 06/01/2013, 10:15-12:30CDT
Distance: Approx 4 miles  (Up and Back)  Rating: 5/5
Difficulty: Easy
Conditions:  Partly Cloudy, Hot. Humid
Thoughts/Observations:
Put in @ Brown's Construction on Autauga Creek.  Much deeper here than below the dam.  had a great time exploring the creek and swamp.  Bright red cardinal and beautiful Red-winged Black bird were treats along the journey.  Went as far upstream as practical -- downed tree blocked the creek and I did not want to risk falling in while attempting to portage.

This is one to do again!  Should bring fishing gear next time.