Bigbend Area Paddlers' Network

7/05/03 Graham Creek, Again.

Cathy, Art, Richard, Bill and I, paddled Graham Creek Saturday. We had intended to do the "long trip" putting in at Graham and taking out at Gardner Landing, 8-10 miles. It didn't work out that way - read on. If I understood correctly; Cathy, Art, Richard, and Bill are all part of the Tallahassee Canoe & Kayak Club. Attention, I stand corrected. Only Cathy is currently a member of that club. This was my first encounter with anyone from that group and if these folks are representative of the membership I am well looking forward to future encounters with this club. The day started out great, the caravan of cars and boats were actually 5 minutes early to our desigated meeting point after coming all the way across town - that always makes me happy. . . . unless I'm the one running late. We arrived at the boat ramp and started unloading. That is when I first heard it; a buzzing sound like a hum, only more menacing. Within about two minutes the source of the buzzing became clear. There were about 400 billion mosquitos apparently circling the area waitng for a fresh meal. We provided it. As I mentioned earlier, we had planned to shuttle down to Gardner landing and make a one-way trip, but high water on the access road to Gardner prevented it. Instead we had a very . . laid back, paddle to the East river and then most of the mile it runs between Graham creek and the Appilachicola river before turning around and heading back. Art and Richard made the 1.8 mile trip up and back on the South Prong while Cathy, Bill and I sat and enjoyed the scenery at the confluence. We saw a number of birds, only one of which I could identify. It was a humungus Blue Herron that passed us headed the other way about 10 feet off the water. As far as aquatic wildlife; there were signs of the ever present gar and a close up sighting of an 18 to 24 inch baby alligator. Oh and during a 'nature call', Richard reported a sighting of what based on his description was a red rat snake. Bill got some pictures of the baby gator, and if he sends me a copy I'll certainly add them to this trip report. It was just as cute as could be!! Far too soon we were back at the launch point and all headed our separate ways. In closing I would like to observe that while the scenery is important there is nothing like good company to make a paddle trip great. Folks, this was a GREAT trip. Mike O'Lary mikeo@paddletally.org Now, another perspective (from Art - Thanks Art!) Indeed, on a less than bright morning, after what seemed like weeks of rain, five hearty souls ventured forth on Graham Creek. Only Captain Mike had been here before and with the recent rains it made for an interesting four hour paddle. First, the creek is further down Fl 65 then remembered but it is a nature drive through first the Federal and then the State forest. Take out road was heavy with big puddles so we elected to do a down and back. Minimal current so no concern there. We first paddled east and took the left fork until the obvious creek became less obvious and then headed back west passed the take out and on our way to the East River; not the one between Brooklyn and Manhattan. Dark water everywhere and it was like looking into a forest with a floor of mirror. Very primordial feeling. Small creek from the north provided interesting diversion and some curious shaped cypress. Cypress were small and Mike volunteered he thought a hurricane came through some years back and the growth started anew after serious destruction. Lunch was in boat as dry land was not encountered for the first two hours. Water became muddy and we knew we were close to the East River. Dry land was on both banks in this area. We had planned about a four to five hour paddle so we turned around and paddle leisurely back to the landing. New friends made, old ones renewed and a nice day of paddling without a drop of rain. Art Cooper oldspooky@comcast.net

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