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Meeting Announcement

A Note from Jo Anne

TRPA

LaLou

Clear Creek

Trip Reports

Anne Olden: Chocolate Bayou

Cecilia Gill: SM River Cleanup

Classifieds

Upcoming Trips

Chocolate Bayou an Easy Run
by Anne Olden

February 4 was a perfect day to paddle. The morning was cool and clear, and the day warmed gently. The parking area for the put-in is just off State Rd. 35, about ¼ mile below FM 2917 in Brazoria County. There is no sign, except that you have just crossed the Bayou before you turn left (assuming you’re heading south). Dave Ramsey, trip co-coordinator, described it well in saying that there are two driveways to the put-in. This location is a good day trip for those living in the south and southeast of Houston.

Fourteen paddlers, including eleven HCC members and three guests, met about 9 a.m. Dave very generously brought equipment for people who did not have their own. Laura Faulkenberry, Wendy MacArthur and Michael Turner used Dave’s kayaks. Mitch and Meredith Catrett brought their new Wenonah tandem; Lorin and Nadira Martin brought small 25 pound sea kayaks – a joy to lift. James Keen, a guest, brought an old Wenonah Solo Plus that he’d bought on e-bay and repaired. New member Ed Mayo paddled a beautiful sea kayak that he’d made from a kit. Mark Andrus paddled his Caption solo. Rheda Boardman borrowed one of Dave’s kayaks; Rheda is a Red Cross instructor and offered paddling advice. John and I tandemed our Legend. Dave zipped around in his whitewater kayak, offering tips to the new paddlers.

We started about 10:15, after Dave gave a safety talk and explained the portage about 3 ½ miles into the 6 mile trip. There were a few minor strainers, but no flow at this low level. About noon we stopped at the dam, a concrete barrier which blocks saltwater from Galveston Bay from coming up the Bayou and contaminating this water, which is used for irrigation. The saltwater barrier should always be portaged, never run. Although the water was well below the dam, there were still muddy/slippery places on top, so we disembarked gingerly. This was snack time, a chance to stretch legs.

Below the dam the banks are more heavily wooded. The take-out is in a park near Liverpool. We helped each other out of our boats and lunched on the picnic tables under the trees. Ed Mayo shared beautiful 81/2 x 11 photos he’d taken at Armand Bayou, Caddo Lake, and Buffalo National River. We hope he’ll show us some of them at a meeting. There is no drinking water available on the trip, and there are no restrooms. Special thanks to Dave for bringing boats and equipment.