RED CREEK Saturday, August 21 by Jeanne de la Houssaye

As the paddlers of Costa del Golfo were arriving in Grande Isle, the paddlers of Creeko de Red were riding out an electrical storm in the bottoms of their boats. It had been a warm and sunny morning, beginning about 10:15 am at Hwy. 26. Joe and Joda Najolia were in their tandem Kayak; Sarah and Ray Sick and Bill Strickland and his son, Evan, were in tandem canoes; Hoyt Sayler, Walter Tabary and “Mississippi Bob” Burrows were solo canoeing; and I was partnering with trip leader Gary Smith and his dog, Bailey. Bailey had friends on this trip, the Sick’s miniature dachshunds, Pepper and Sophie.

The creek was at about 5.75 on the Vestry gauge, so there were some shallow spots. Hoyt took point and Walter, sweep. The downed tree over the little shoal just above the old 26 bridge has been cut away on extreme river right, affording the only passage remaining at that point, since the tree has fallen right into the creekbed. We took one swim break before heading to Kirby Creek. Gary found a big hunk of petrified wood, not his personal best, but an impressive prize. We lingered too long in Kirby’s cool water, and the storm caught us as soon as we shoved off. When the lightning began, we pulled over and hunched down low in our boats and watched the fireworks above us. Gary’s dog spent the entire lightshow curled up on top of me, and only the prospect of heading for home coaxed him off. The rain continued as we paddled out and only let up (of course) as we took out at Hwy 49.

It was a great group and a memorable day.

Photos from Red Creek Overnighter, July 17 - 18 Click photos for bigger images.
At the put-in.	Robin ready to go.
Scott and his camping espresso maker.	Andre cooking.
Picking up camp.	Karleene floating down the river.
Andre and Alex make their own shade.	The “kids” at the take-out (River, Amelia, Andre, Alex, Alex