Back to the Bayou
Lafourche Paddle Trip
November 12—15 2004

This November come experience the natural elegance of Bayou Lafourche.  Join the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program as we issue in the fall season in South Louisiana with a weekend paddling trip from the headwaters of Bayou Lafourche in Donaldsonville to the seafaring community of Lockport.

From the wilder bayou origins at the Mississippi River, the 52-mile, 4-day adventure winds its way through a number of rural communities and several small cities. Paddlers will be treated not only to scenic natural vistas, but to a fascinating "backyard view" of the inhabitants of this historic bayou.

Outstanding evening educational entertainment, great food and free shuttle are all part of the trip.

Paddlers may pick and choose which day(s) to participate (from one to four days) or enjoy the bonding, camaraderie and sense of accomplishment that comes from going the distance--Donaldsonville to Lockport. 

Canoe rentals are available.

 A limited number of tickets will be available for evening events for non-paddlers who wish to attend.
See the schedule and registration pages at http://paddling.btnep.org for details, and be sure to check the photo gallery for glimpses of what you are likely to experience! 

Read what Kim wrote about last year's paddle.

For additional information, call 1 800 259-0869 or email
rochelle@peaceteachers.com
deborah@btnep.org
 
See you on the Bayou!

And the answer is: Lash Larue. By Gary Smith

Click photos for bigger images.

The question? What is Hoyt's new nickname after the Labor Day Black Creek trip?

Labor Day weekend for many folks may be remembered for Hurricane Frances racing through Florida, but for 9 members of the BHPC, it will be remembered as three of the nicest days on the water and creekbank in recent memory. Driven by our knowledgeable leader, Hoyt Sayler, 32 creek miles were covered in 3 days.

BHPC members Dale Blessing, Pat Fontova, Darryl Pry, Mimi Clifton, Woody Wood, Martina Ellis, Larry Langlois, Hoyt Sayler, and Gary Smith, along with auxiliary member Bailey the wonder dog, met at the Chevron station in Wiggins, MS, and caravanned to the put-in at Dantzler Bridge. BHPC member and Appalachian Trail thru-hiker Gilford Bush dropped by the Chevron station as we were signing the usual forms and informed us that Byron Almquist had cancelled his annual Blackwater River (FL) trip because of Hurricane Frances and had decided instead to take his group of 45 individuals on Black Creek instead. Fortunately, Hoyt had chosen the upper section of Black Creek as our starting point, and thus we stayed a day behind Byron's group the whole time.

Nary a drop of rain fell the entire trip, although the creek was running fast, and the night air was cool enough to almost require a sweater (almost....this IS the Deep South in early September, you know).

As Hoyt set a torrid pace for the paddlers (see "Lash Larue" above), at the end of the day, muscles ached too much to gather firewood and thus Woody furnished a smudge pot for us to gather around and tell our stories, most of which were suitable for a family publication, the "Caged Heat" comment being the exception.

Being deep in the woods away from city lights, the stars shone brightly, and we saw the Milky Way stretching from horizon to horizon. This brought to mind Psalm 19:1 ("The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows his handiwork").

We finally caught up with Byron's group at the takeout, and were able to visit a few minutes with some old friends. The trip officially ended at the Cypress takeout, but UNofficially ended at the Sonic Drive-In in Wiggins. What a great way to end three days of being in the woods with a great group of people. Special thanks to Hoyt for knowing his way around the back roads like the back of his hand and knowing the creek as well.