Stubblefield Lake
May, 2013
by Paul Woodcock
Trash Bash in Texas is very important to our environment. We chose the Cagle Recreational Area, due to some of us live North of the Houston Area. However, it's in the Sam Houston National Forest and Lake Stubblefield, is just across Lake Conroe (Cagle Recreational Area is located on the shoreline) and the West Fork of the San Jacinto River feeds both lakes. Also, there was free camping for the weekend, which means a free three-day weekend in the outdoors. Traditionally, the Houston Canoe Club did the Armond Bayou Area, yet there are so many places to chose from for a wonderful weekend.
We all met up on Friday night, Mary provided a fish supper with hushpuppies, veggies, wine and dessert. Yet, a Cub Scout Troop was left out of a camping area, so we shared it with 60 boys and their leaders. Interesting night and a glowing campfire, surrounded by good friends to share and pass stories of paddling adventures. The next morning, we woke to hot coffee, scrambled eggs, bacon and of course biscuits and gravy.
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| Waiting for supper |
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Cub Scout camp |
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Magnificent craft |
We got in our vehicles to register, get t-shirts, gloves, and bags at Cagle Recreational Area. Then headed back to paddle out to Lake Stubblefield and the area up the West San Jacinto River bridge area. After 15 bags of trash and 3 hours later, we headed back to Cagle to be treated to hot dogs, chips, drinks, desserts and numerous door prizes.
Back at Stubblefield Lake, we advertured out towards Lake Conroe, only to be stopped by mud flats, because the water was too low. There were plenty of birds to view and fishermen trying their luck. The evening brought Dutch oven cooking of seasoned pinto beans, corn bread, deer sausage, beef/pork sausage, wine and of course dessert. A good campfire rounded off the night, with laughter and a Cub Scout ceremony of several boys graduation to Boy Scouts. Later that night we got invaded by a cold northern, with light rain and heavy rains.
The next morning we woke up to the Scouts packing and leaving for home. Several of our members chose not to paddle that morning and extend a good breakfast. David, Sandy and I chose to hike the trails around this area only to see the downed trees and damage by the pine beetles. Not as bad as Memorial Park in Houston. By noon the camp was emptied, leaving just Mary and me. How nice to sit outside by a small fire reading a good book, and listening to the birds. Then by 4:00 p.m. the heavy winds again were upon us, and the temperature dropped. Yet, another quiet, nice evening in camp.
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| Empty campground |
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Hiking trail |
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Enjoying |
Our paddlers and campers included Sandy and David Risch, Bob Pearson and Wade, Milton Robertson and Daughter Jessica, Ron Nunnelly, Albert and Francis Moyer and daughters Gabriela and Desiree, Mary Zaborowski and myelf, Paul Woodcock. Thirteen tired campers and paddlers, yet knowing we helped our environment with this Trash Bash.
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| The author, Paul Woodcock |