Larry and Arthur Arrive!

Well, they did it, and they both looked GREAT!  We had a nice turnout on the beach, considering that the uncertain nature of their exact arrival date made it hard to plan far ahead, unlike when they launched. The Times Picayune did a story yesterday. The Lt. Governor's office put out a news release (which I wrote for them) last Friday announcing their arrival and congratulating them on their history-making achievement. That news release is pasted in below.

Former Governor Mike Foster and Alice were on the beach with us and greeted them. This was a nice surprise. I had asked him to come but he never decides anything until the last minute and I was thrilled when he called early Saturday morning and said he was coming. I had talked to him approximately every week since we left office but this was my first time to actually see him and Alice since January and I was doubly pleased it was on such a meaningful occasion.

I want to put in a plug here for more kayakers to use Grand Isle State Park. I was the only one who took my boat down this time, and I am sure the last minute notice and the hot summer weather were factors.  I stayed with the Fosters Saturday night but wanted to paddle Sunday evening, so I took a chance and slept in my Hennessey Hammock under a beach shelter. I was concerned it might be too hot to sleep, but I actually had to get a blanket in the middle of the night. With the waves pounding the shore, and the wind blowing and gently rocking my hammock, it was one of the best nights sleep I have ever had!  The sun was brutal, and I took lots of water. I also threw up a tarp between the shelter and my Jeep because there was a line of thunderstorms just to the west of the island Sunday night. I stayed up watching them as long as I could....better than TV. They stayed away and we didn't get rain that night.

Since I was alone, and not up for taking any chances, I just paddled up and down the beach in front of the park, from the fishing pier up into town as far as the other side of the water tower. I stayed, mostly about 100 yards outside the rock jetties, and with the wind from the west I turned and rode it back to the state park.  There were groups of pelicans and gulls, SCHOOLS of porpoises, and I even saw my first shark! He was about 15 yards off my starboard bow when I noticed him circling something in the same spot. No big deal, I just zig zagged around him.

The only disadvantage to paddling at Grand Isle is the challenge of finding bay side launching spots that are easy to get to without hauling boats over rock jetties. I made some inquiries and have someone who has a bed and breakfast on the bay side who will let me launch there. It's good to have that option. If other folks know of other options, let me know.

Marsanne

Here’s the News Release:

Historic Sea Kayak Trip Around the Gulf of Mexico to Conclude at Grand Isle State Park

The first successful sea kayak circumnavigation of the Gulf of Mexico will conclude Saturday where it began 18 months ago, on the beach at Grand Isle State Park, in Grand Isle, Louisiana.

Kayakers Arthur Hebert and Larry Koenig are scheduled to arrive at the Grand Isle beach sometime between 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM, August 21, 2004. The public is invited to Grand Isle State Park to watch them land and welcome them home. Their arrival will mark the completion of the final phase of their historic expedition, named “La Costa del Golfo”, which means “the Gulf Coast” in Spanish.

They have endured violent storms, dodged sharks, backtracked to dodge Hurricane Bonnie, been attacked by swarms of bugs, and made dozens of repairs to their 17-foot boats. They say they did it for the adventure, to spread the word about the erosion of Louisiana’s unique coast, and promote ecotourism in Louisiana.

“We talked about it to anybody who would listen,” said Koenig, a 50-year old emergency room physician from Baton Rouge. “Many times, we paddled within a few feet of the beaches and people would come out and ask us why we were doing this. That would give us an opening to bring up the subject,” Koenig added.

“I grew up along the Louisiana coast and it looks nothing like it did when I was a boy. It’s a treasure that must be saved. More people should come to parks like Grand Isle and see for themselves,” said Hebert, a 47-year old building contractor from New Orleans.

Their trip drew national attention, but they also did dozens of local television, radio, and newspaper interviews in the towns they visited on their journey.

Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu congratulated Koenig and Hebert on their history-making accomplishment.

“The unique nature of their adventure gave them a chance to tell Louisiana’s story in a way no one else could,” Landrieu said. “If we are going to get the kind of federal help we must have to save our coast it will only happen when people across the country support our efforts”, Landrieu added.

Louisiana loses the equivalent of one football field of land every 38 minutes, or 24 square miles of land a year, according to the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources. Louisiana has lost 1,900 square miles of land since the 1930’s. The wetlands provide storm protection for ports that carry nearly 500 million tons of waterborne commerce annually. The wetlands also protect the pipelines that transport crude oil and natural gas from production facilities in the wetlands and along the coast.  Wetland related activities such as hiking, bird watching, paddling, photography, and camping contribute more than $200 million annually to the Louisiana economy, according to a recent study. The annual economic effect of recreational marine fishing is estimated to be nearly $1 Billion.

The kayakers divided their trip into two phases. Phase 1 launched from Grand Isle on February 9, 2003, lasted 139 days, until June 26, 2003, and took them from Grand Isle along the Louisiana, Texas, and Mexico coasts to Isla Mujeres, Mexico. Phase 2 launched from Key West, Florida, on May 23, 2004, and is expected to take 91 days.

Hebert and Koenig say they saw some beautiful scenery, but nothing compared to Louisiana’s coastal wetlands.

“Its different here than anywhere else. These wetlands are just stunning,” said Koenig. 

Angele Davis, Secretary of the Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism, said the experience of the kayakers is more evidence that Louisiana is a hidden paradise for ecotourism, especially in the upcoming winter months.

“People can come here from the frozen north and paddle out into these wetlands year-round. The opportunities are endless. We have state parks all along the coast with wonderful facilities for paddlers,” Davis said.  

Stuart Johnson, Assistant Secretary, Office of State Parks, encouraged Louisiana canoeists and kayakers to take advantage of the opportunities available at state parks throughout the state.

“With an annual pass, which costs only $30, you can have unlimited day use of the facilities at our state parks and commemorative areas,” Johnson added.

End

Resources: www.lacostadelgolfo.com

 Facts on coastal erosion impact from www.americaswetland.com