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| Happy, Happy! |
Just about the time I want to go and give up on the world, a day like today happens and totally throws everything off. It is like the earth spins a little bit slower or something magical is in the air. Adventuring gives me a great attitude, about life and love and everything else you can imagine. Everybody deserves a day like today, and maybe sometimes we all need to take a step back and look. Examine yourself, examine the world. Everyday is a gift and everyday should be treated that way. Have you ever had a perfect day? I know they are probably one and a million but tonight as I reflect on today's adventure, I think today was a perfect day. Every single human being I came in contact with today was awesome. I encountered a few a people on the way to my adventure and a few more after, and all I can say is thank you.
Today we had a late start, but decided to take the two man canoe (Paul & I) to Buzbee's landing,
located off of HWY 225 just outside of Spanish Fort, Alabama. I have been wanting to canoe from here every since I paddled there from 5 Rivers, roughly 10 mile paddle solo. Even though the forecast called for rain, it was a beautiful day in Alabama and the sun was relentless, especially since most of Bay Minette Basin is wide open with no shade. After leaving Buzbee's we headed under the HWY 225 Bridge, which on the contour maps was called Military Bridge Landing. On a side note, Back Country Navigator is the greatest app you could ever buy on a smart phone and I hold it very dear to me. We came around Cypress point and headed directly into a maze of tall grasses and fish that seemed to fly when they would come out of the water. One day I know they are just going to hop right in the boat. Bay Minette Basin is filled with lily pads which hold beads of water on them, it was so amazing, never really seen anything like it before and I could see how easily you could turned around in the reed maze, with an eerie sound coming from them, almost like a vibration as we passed through.
We decided to go all the way to the end of the basin, which I am very glad that we did. We definitely found a new spot to fish in. The fish would violently move the water, we thought it was alligators at first but then we finally got to see the monsters. Everyone that I saw was bigger round than my thigh and half the length of my arm. Didn't know what kind of fish they were, but did see a few alligator gar, that put everyone to shame that I have ever seen. There was so much vegetation growing in the water but the canoe glided through it with ease. We made it to a very interesting sign, which red "Long Teal -13" not really sure what it meant, going to do some research, and I might even name my canoe that, just because of how excellent today was. If anyone knows, please let me know. We found a nice little nook on the way back that was an excellent shade spot and provided some really outstanding photos.
On the way back near Military Bridge Landing we saw a little off shoot from the main water, despite seeing "private" signs we decided that no one owns the water and we would give it a look. I don't think it would matter, we weren't hurting anything, just curious and looking for an adventure. I found out today that sometimes "no trespassing" means "yes trespassing" being a little apprehensive at first I am really glad we went. It ended up being a big loop, but I got to see and take pictures of a wooden bridge, I have an obsession with taking picture of bridges just before I go under them. It is way more fun to go under them than over them I have decided and I have never seen to many wooden bridges in my life. While in the nook it started raining a little bit, but nothing could ruin this day. The rain didn't last long and by this point we had almost paddled seven miles. We could throw rocks at the landing so back under the bridge we went and called it a day.
Once again everyone deserves a day that seems perfect, where everyone you come in contact with treats you like a human being. When we come together it makes the world a better place. Everyday is a struggle and when you got other people to help you get through the day, well it is just beautiful. Until next time.
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| Up is Down, Down is Up |
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| Life |
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| Paul |
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| Nook |
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| Wooden Bridge |
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| Great day! |
We decided to go all the way to the end of the basin, which I am very glad that we did. We definitely found a new spot to fish in. The fish would violently move the water, we thought it was alligators at first but then we finally got to see the monsters. Everyone that I saw was bigger round than my thigh and half the length of my arm. Didn't know what kind of fish they were, but did see a few alligator gar, that put everyone to shame that I have ever seen. There was so much vegetation growing in the water but the canoe glided through it with ease. We made it to a very interesting sign, which red "Long Teal -13" not really sure what it meant, going to do some research, and I might even name my canoe that, just because of how excellent today was. If anyone knows, please let me know. We found a nice little nook on the way back that was an excellent shade spot and provided some really outstanding photos. 
On the way back near Military Bridge Landing we saw a little off shoot from the main water, despite seeing "private" signs we decided that no one owns the water and we would give it a look. I don't think it would matter, we weren't hurting anything, just curious and looking for an adventure. I found out today that sometimes "no trespassing" means "yes trespassing" being a little apprehensive at first I am really glad we went. It ended up being a big loop, but I got to see and take pictures of a wooden bridge, I have an obsession with taking picture of bridges just before I go under them. It is way more fun to go under them than over them I have decided and I have never seen to many wooden bridges in my life. While in the nook it started raining a little bit, but nothing could ruin this day. The rain didn't last long and by this point we had almost paddled seven miles. We could throw rocks at the landing so back under the bridge we went and called it a day.
With all that vegetation, looks like a good place for a manatee! Read and I paddled in here one time and I have never seen so many alligators in my life. We unknowingly drove one into the marsh and when he reached shallow water he turned around and came back out...under our canoe...we actually felt him push up under the canoe when he came under...yikes! But also a day I'll never forget. Also, Mr. Buzbee is quite a character - he's run that landing for a very long time.
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