Have you ever stopped and really thought about this old world? Many people haven't, you can tell when you go out in nature and they leave garbage behind. This world is not our own, but most people think we have this god given right to do with it as we please. I am not trying to preach, just challenging. I challenge anyone who reads this blog or knows me, to get up and go outside and truly enjoy it. It will make you realize that you are just a spec of something much large than we can ever fathom. If you have someone you love, take them with you, it will change everything or if you know a friend take them with you. It never hurts to be alone, but if you have someone to accompany you it is that much more of an adventure.
This is the second Thursday my friend Paul and I have went to Chickasabogue Park in Prichard, Alabama. Chickasabogue is definitely a diamond in the rough. Although I highly recommend going during the week so you don't have to battle the crowded sand bars and drunk yahoos. I will slightly touch on the last trip we had, just to get you up to speed. The water is very high at the park right now, which is a good thing because you can make it to some really awesome places.
Since I was eighteen years old I have always been curious about this pump house located on the side of Shelton Beach Road.
For almost ten years now I have always wanted to get a closer look. Last Thursday Paul and I finally got to share this adventure. The water was moving (because of all the rain) faster than I have ever seen it at Chickasabogue and like I said earlier if you have someone with you it makes you adventure that much harder. We got into some hairy situations as we headed up Chickasabogue Creek and coming back down was the wildest ride I have had yet in my canoe. I would definitely say on that day (last Thursday) we both upped our paddling skills by five. Paddling about five miles, which seemed to be twenty because of all the fighting and dodging log jams, banana spiders, and the current. Overall it was a great escape for me and my good friend.
Fast forward to today. I decided that I wanted us to go down Chickasabogue Creek to Robber's Island and see if we could make it to Chickasaw Creek. On our way down we found an off shoot, maybe what some would call a slew or just a creek that was really high because of all the rain we have been having here in the great city. It took us directly to the side of Robber's Island which lead directly into Chickasaw Creek. Sometimes I impress myself with my navigation skills.
The water in Chickasaw Creek looked as though it was thirty percent water and seventy percent oil, nothing like
the water in Chickasabogue Creek, and especially not Black Water. After a few minutes we decided to go under the bridge, which was part of the neighborhood of Robber's Island.
We had finally made it to a part with no civilization
and no noise from the highway, it was so awesome and refreshing. After realizing that our new path would lead us directly back to Chickasabogue Creek at Brooks Landing in Chickasaw, Alabama. We stopped and talked to a local for a minute (real friendly) and back up Chickasabogue we would paddle.
We went under another bridge and had a friendly encounter with a goose.
(I have a strong desire to paddle under bridges)
All in all it was a wonderful day, with not a cloud in the sky. You couldn't have asked for a better day especially with all the rain we have been battling lately. Overall we probably paddled close to eight miles. On the way back we stopped and ate a couple of peanut butter and tupelo honey sandwiches (a must have for adventuring) and made it back to Chickasabogue Park before four 'o clock.
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| Welcome to the South |
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| Secret Spot |
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| I-65 |
Once again I challenge you to get out and enjoy mother nature, keeping in mind that none of it belongs to us, she is just kind enough to let us wander it. Until next time.
