Blog

Tom with his own sit-on-top kayak, Hans with his own 17-foot-long sit-inside sea kayak, and Richard and Laura with 14-foot sit-inside kayaks from Pack & Paddle had a sunny start in the swimming pool. Here they practiced several self and assisted rescues.             We started with assisted sit-on-top kayak rescues, followed by assistedRead more

This was a special paddle trip in support of our Atchafalaya Basinkeeper’s work. It included a paddle, short talks on the water, a fish fry and a membership with the Atchafalaya Basinkeeper.  Most of the group met Dean Wilson, the Atchafalaya Basinkeeper, and I at Pack & Paddle, while others met us at our put-inRead more

What an awesome and exciting walk around Kincaid Lake!  Our small crew had perfect weather with minimal sun, and a moderately paced walk that was both energizing and stimulating. Starting off along the trail we saw some wild Muscadine growing along the bridge as well as the green pine cones the squirrels had ravaged forRead more

We had an awfully early start this morning, met at Pack and Paddle for 5:30AM. That put us on the water just as the sun was rising. Everyone, surprisingly at this hour, was chatty with smiling faces and plenty of pep for the morning paddle. The stillness of our surroundings was only broken by the splashRead more

We arrived at Calcasieu Point Landing early Saturday morning to thunderstorms and wind. After a while, the thunderstorms began to dissipate and we put the kayaks in the water to begin fishing. The conditions continued to be windy which made paddling tough. Everyone on the trip were good sports and worked hard to do there best toRead more

This was a private trip for the First Baptist Youth Group.  A great group of mostly high schoolers who were up for the challenge of paddling most of the lake.  We had lots of help unloading boats before giving quick paddling instruction.  We headed to the south side of the lake first to paddle withinRead more

It was a beautiful August afternoon when we shoved off from the North landing of Chicot State Park near Ville Platte, Louisiana. The sun’s rays highlighted the wonder of nature as we paddled through a majestic field of American Lotus pads on our way to the shade of the thick cypress and tupelo flooded woods.Read more

Once we got the boats unloaded near the boat landing at Lake Martin and I gave very brief paddling instruction, I asked the group if they wanted to see birds on the south end near the rookery or alligators and birds on the north end of the lake.  It was an overwhelming vote for alligators. Read more

With the summer upon us, this waterfall trip was a true delight. With so much of the trip being in the creek bed, it keeps you cool and your spirits high. This was the first trip to Clark Creek since we upped the classifications. The ever changing water flow has made some of the trailRead more

With these summer rains, hiking in the Southern states, there is always a risk of getting caught in a thunder storm, today was not going to be any different. With a 60% chance of rain after noon and getting a somewhat late start, I knew we were going to keep the trip a little shorter. Shorter, not only becauseRead more