Well, wouldn’t you know it, I forgot my camera for this fun event but thankfully Joe Coker, Constantin Platon, and Tom Douglas remembered theirs so there is photographic evidence.
By the numbers, there were 23 of us paddlers in 20 boats – our best attended paddling event of the year, and it was wonderful to see everyone out there on the water. The temperatures were more average for the season, as opposed to what is feeling like a winter heat wave. It was about 46 degrees when we pushed off at 9 a.m. and rose to 55 by 1 p.m. when we were enjoying dinner afterward. Winds were very moderate, 10 mph and less from the north. The lake level per USGS gage 08067118 was 7.8 feet and falling, a fairly unusual event for us as the current was flowing out of Lake Charlotte and into Mac Bayou instead of the other way around. Our round-trip mileage was 3.9
Here is our group assembling at Cedar Hill Park on the bank of Lake Charlotte.
Group Orientation, photo by Joe Coker
Joe Coker, Tom Douglas, and Linda Shead were our on the water leaders across Lake Charlotte, into Mac Bayou, across the Sulfur Cut and into the Secret Pass. Great route and timing as of course no one wanted to be late for the chili dinner afterward.
Here are Tom and Linda in the lead boat, followed by Joe Coker.
Tom Douglas and Linda Shead, photo by Constantin Platon
Joe Coker, photo by Constantin Platon
We made good progress paddling with the current leaving Lake Charlotte.
Mac Bayou Entrance, photo by Joe Coker
We assembled for a group photo at the end of Secret Lake:
Group Photo at Secret Lake, photo by Joe Coker
Here is the trip map produced by Tom Douglas, showing our path for the 3.9-mile round trip paddle,
Alas, it was too soon time to return across Lake Charlotte.
Heading Back to the Launch site, photo by Joe Coker
And off to the chili dinner, joined by many of our not-paddling-that-day friends, about 40 of us in all.
I’m sorry the only photo I have of that part of the festivities was from my cell phone and does not do justice to the work of Alice Nissen who not only cooked a lot of that chili, but also did the decorating AND brought the delectable alligator cookies. It was quite the repast with donations also by many of the rest of us and many hands in preparation, serving and clean up.
The Picnic, photo by Natalie Wiest
Wonderful fun you all, and a great sendoff to a Happy New Year!
Natalie Wiest
Commodore and on the water coordinator for the paddle portion