The Launch My husband and I bought kayaks on Sunday and were a little eager to try them out. The first chance we got was last night so we headed to the Vermilion. I wanted to try out one of the launches I wrote about and the closest one to where we met after work was Camellia. Upon arrival I was a little disappointed to say the least. It just wasn't what I was expecting. The description says "...with parking and street lights for safety. This is the perfect starting point on the Southside of Lafayette for a paddle up or down stream". Yeah not so much. What they refer to as parking is a little loop that encircles a post with a light. It was enough light for us to see as we strapped our kayaks down just after sunset but a little more light wouldn't hurt. When they said parking I imagined an actual parking lot. But hey at least there was paved parking and light, that is a plus. The most disappointing part to me was the condition of the launch. Is it Lafayette's best kept secret? So much so that it's never used so there's no concern for clean up? There was a thick layer of sticks, acorns, litter and who knows what else covering the spot where you're supposed to set your kayak for an easy launch. The same went for where you're supposed to slide up your kayak for docking. Surrounding the launch were those yellow "floating fences" preventing you from even using the launch. A bunch of garbage collected along one of the floating fences as well. I wish I had taken a picture to show how much garbage there was. I think it's great that Lafayette wanted to provide kayak launches but maintaining them for use would be ideal. I think next time I head out there I might bring some gloves and a garbage bag and help out the community. I want to enjoy the water, not maneuver around plastic bottles. We ended up just slipping into our kayaks from the side of the dock and pushing off. The Ride Where: Camellia Bridge to Ambassador Bridge and back Time: 2 hours The actual ride wasn't so bad. We went from the launch, which is under the Camellia bridge, downstream to the Ambassador bridge and back. We passed the beautiful River Ranch houses and talked about someday owning a home where the backyard rolled into the river. Once you pass the houses you come to a stretch surrounded by trees on both sides. Its peaceful but when you see this make shift tent looking thing in the woods it makes you want to paddle a bit faster. Going downstream was much more relaxing. We could stop paddling and let the river just slowly pull us along. Going upstream you had to constantly paddle to stop the current from pulling you backwards. That made it a little more difficult to make it a relaxed ride but definitely a great idea if you want to get a work out in! Have you tried this launch? What was the condition when you went? Let me know in the comments!
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At about 80 pages and a 10 dollar price tag, this book is not worth the money. While it's full of wit and interesting tips it'll leave you disappointed where it lacks in new and useful everyday camping information. It would do great as a book to leave on the back of the toilet seat for a read while you take a dump, especially since it's geared more towards men and hunting camps. I wouldn't recommend the purchase unless it's on sale and you've run out of gift options for the men in your life. It would make the perfect gift for White Elephant at somewhere like Pack and Paddle's company Christmas party. Looking to spend a beautiful day paddling through Lafayette's waters? First of all, take me with you. Second, use these canoe/kayak launches to make life a little easier.
There are 4 canoe/kayak launches in Lafayette. Only one of which can be accessed 24/7, so plan accordingly. 1. Nature Station - 1205 East Alexander St. The Nature Station canoe/kayak launch is located in the park and is operated in conjunction with the Acadiana Park Nature Station. You will have to get the gate code to enter the campground by calling 337-291-8448 or 337-291-8388. Drop your boat off at the launch then drive your vehicle out of the campground to park at the nature station trailhead. Sorry for the inconvenience of walking back to your boat but our parking is extremely limited, only two spots for employees and camper pads. 2. Vermilionville - 300 Fisher Rd. The Vermilionville canoe/kayak launch is located at 300 Fisher Rd. on the ground of the historic folklife park. OPEN: Monday – Sunday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. While the launch remains operational the parking lot is closed off to the public. 3. Camellia Bridge - Bellaire Rd. The Camellia Bridge canoe/kayak launch is located at Bellaire Rd. OPEN: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. with parking and street lights for safety. This is the perfect starting point on the Southside of Lafayette for a paddle up or down stream. 4.Southside Park - Robley Dr. The Southside Park canoe/kayak launch is located off of E Broussard Rd next to the Shell and Limestone Plant. While the park is closed overnight the canoe/kayak launch is accessible by water 24/7. Southside Park also serves as the last public canoe/kayak launch in Lafayette Parish. You can also plop your canoe/kayak in the water at Rotary Point. There isn't a special canoe/kayak launch like the ones above but there is a ramp. It's used mostly for bigger boats that have to be launched off of a trailer but who says you can't use it for your canoe/kayak? There's a small dock as well. Have experience with these launches? Which one is your favorite? Happy paddling! http://www.bayouvermiliondistrict.org/bayou-vermilion-district/recreation/canoe-kayak-launches.html http://www.naturestation.org/Programs_Activities/kayaklaunch.asp
So I thought the trail at Clark Creek had some steep and somewhat scary hills. Check this out. The Bright Angel Trail, which is part of the Grand Canyon in Arizona, demands it's participants to hike down 4,380 feet and then turn around and hike back up. About 200 rescues have to be preformed each year. Yikes!
Clark Creek 366 Fort Adams Road Woodville, MS 39669 Trail Map Important things to note: *Tunica Hills Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and Clark Creek are NOT the same thing, they are about 15 minutes from each other. There are a few trails throughout the WMA but they aren't the ones with all the waterfalls. Clark Creek is sometimes referred to as Tunica Falls, hence sometimes Tunica Hills are Tunica Falls are confused. *It can get crowded on the weekends. We went on a Tuesday, arriving late morning. When we pulled into the parking lot there was only one other car there. When we left late afternoon the small parking lot was almost full and we saw quite a few groups on the way out. I've read, and heard from friends, that on weekends the trail is packed, so for a more private experience try a weekday morning. We went hours without seeing a hiker on the primitive trail. *Your GPS might bring you to the wrong spot. You can use the address above, which is the one they provide on their website, but it brought us to an empty lot. Its the correct road, the GPS just says its a few more miles past where it actually is. The trail head isn't overly obvious with a big sign and flashing lights, but it is overly obvious in the sense that it's the only establishment around. It'll be on your left where the pavement stops and the dirt road begins. It's marked with a small parking lot and handicap bathroom. *Parking is $3. There's a little box with envelopes and "parking passes" before you enter the trails with a warning that no payment could mean the towing of your car. No one is there to monitor if you put money in or not, but if you appreciate clean, well-kept hiking trails and camping grounds it wouldn't hurt you to pay. We didn't know before hand so we scrounged around for change and ended up just short of $3. Hey, something is better than nothing right? * There are BAD potholes on the roads. On your way there just keep an eye on the holes. There are a few that cover almost the entire road. As you can guess, we had a little trouble finding it. We arrived at Tunica Hills Wildlife Management Area (WMA) thinking we were where we wanted to be. After a few minutes of driving down dirt roads we figured out that wasn't the case. Thankfully I got enough service out there to do a quick Google search and found out the place we really wanted was Clark Creek, which is just over the border into Mississippi. After we unknowingly passed the entrance to Clark Creek we ended up in a scary, run-down neighborhood that reminded me of something out of the movies. You know, the part where they're headed to the middle of nowhere to be killed and they show the last glimpse of what appears to be a human being. Yeah. On instinct we turned around and headed back to the handicap bathroom we had passed up the road, arriving at our destination! There are two types of trails at Clark Creek. The big, main trails they call "Improved" and the primitive "unimproved" trail. Their improved trails are gravel and wide enough to fit 3 or 4 people side by side. They are clear of plants and are distinguishable as the main trails. There is no major terrain that is difficult to hike through these trails. They even provide stairs next to the steep hills. The primitive trail is a whole different story. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT bring children or animals on the primitive trail. The terrain and length is much too difficult. The sign that appears at the beginning of the primitive trail even reads "recommended for experienced hikers in excellent physical condition". You can read about how I apparently fit neither of those descriptions here: 5 Foolish Mistakes I Made in a Single Hiking Trip. But we still made it through the whole trail in one piece, so that's a good sign that you can do it too! There are a few places where you have to cross the creek that can get a little confusing and even some places where you can follow the creek to make the trek a bit shorter and easier. I'll let you figure those out on your own though, the fun in hiking is all about the challenge and adventure! We didn't get to see all the waterfalls that the map claims there are (9) but we did see enough to make the strenuous hike worth it. The best one was not too far into the primitive trail. There are maps posted throughout the trails but I suggest you print the map (linked above) and bring it with you because the primitive trail maps are spaced pretty far apart. Another thing the map claims is that there are "scenic overlooks". Ha. More like sit on this covered bench and stare into overgrown bushes and trees. There's one marked on the primitive trail that we were using as our encouragement to keep going. "We'll just get to the scenic overlook and rest there. It'll be a nice view while we have lunch". We were disappointed to say the least. My only complaints would have to be the confusing parts of the primitive trail that come to a T or cross the creek with no immediate indication of which direction to go, misleading map markings, and the fact that I was expecting more out of the waterfalls. Overall it was a great trail to hike and a great challenge! If you have a day off go check it out! Frequently check for ticks, wear grippy shoes for the hills, be careful on the slippery ground by the waterfalls and your trip will be that much more enjoyable. Happy hiking! I give it: If you've been to Clark Creek let me know about your experience in the comments!
Apparently tampons can be used for more than helping out with Aunt Flo. They're the new light-weight and versatile backpacking essential! ;)
Come back Friday for my first hiking trail review on Tunica Hills @ Clark Creek. I'll admit it. I'm a newbie when it comes to hiking, so these mistakes may make those knowledgeable seasoned hikers want to face palm. They're superior to the couch potato, who rarely sees outside their front door, and could tell you with ease which direction the sun rises and sets, which berries would mean certain death, and what side of a tree moss grows. As for us aspiring outdoors-men, we have a lot to learn, but learning from others mistakes can make for a smoother trail. And hey, maybe these tips will make it less intimidating for those couch potatoes to explore the great outdoors.
5. Ixnay on the Bug Spray I hate inhaling bug spray. Who doesn't? So often I brave the pesky insects on my own. Plus there are a lot of chemicals in bug sprays that aren't so good for you. But you know what else aren't so good for you? Bug bites and those nasty critters called ticks. I don't think I got a single mosquito bite on this trip but I frequently swatted at horse flies. The trail I hiked had many areas where you had to stomp through tall grass or bushes, the perfect environment for ticks. My husband had a good collection of them clinging to his legs (I think they preferred his manly hair) while I dealt with a little less. We stopped and picked them off along the way and also found more during our thorough check at home. My advice on this... brave the chemicals instead of the bugs. OR Have any of you tried a natural bug repellent while hiking? Did it work? 4. Dressed for a Run Looking at my attire you would think I was getting ready for my morning run. I sported a thin, spaghetti-strap tank top with those running shorts that seem to be the staple of a fraternity girl's wardrobe. I topped it off with my Mizuno running shoes and socks that went maybe 1 inch past my ankles. My reasoning? The tank top was made of thin breathable fabric, the shorts were comfortable and would keep me cool, the shoes we made for long walks and the socks would of course protect me from the ugly ticks! How could I be so wrong?! The shirt actually wasn't too bad (for this trip) but everything else was completely off. Wear longer pants and socks to help with ticks and try to wear shoes with good grip, I had a few scary slides on hills. 3. Skimped Out on Breakfast My husband and I value our sleep, but we also knew the drive to our destination and the trail itself would take awhile, so we needed an early start. We naturally squeezed in as much sleep as possible and rolled right out of bed and into the car, grabbing one of those breakfast bars along the way. Yes, those not as good for you as you think sugar loaded 10 grams of protein bars. Those weren't nearly enough to energize our poor bodies through the 2 hour drive and 3.5 hour hike. Don't get me wrong, we thought of snacks, but a measly packet of Crunchamame (roasted edamame, it's delicious!) was not enough. We also brought sandwiches for lunch which my husband couldn't get through 3 bites of. Your body isn't exactly in the mood to eat during a strenuous hike. Treat your body right and eat a good breakfast before your hike! 2. Underestimating Hills This trail had it's share of killer hills. From steep to subtle, after an hour of hiking every change in elevation was noticeable. With our bodies running on empty and drenched in sweat, seeing a hill in the distance called for mental preparation. I'm a pretty active person, I play roller derby and run occasionally. The thought of hills didn't worry me at all. That is until not even a third of the way into the hike the possibility of not making it to the top of a hill was believable. There were quite a few times I had to sit down at the top of a hill to catch my breath and quell the nausea. Hills are no joke. Make sure your body is fueled and your shoes are grippy! 1. Failing to Acknowledge the Importance of Hydration Last but certainly not least, the most foolish mistake of all. Not having enough water. We brought, drum roll please......4 bottles of water! To top it off they weren't normal sized bottles. One was a tall, skinny, GLASS (glass=heavy) bottle, one was a shorter glass bottle, and the last two were conveniently light, flimsy, plastic pouch sort of things that you could roll up when empty (super neat but don't carry nearly enough water). Not long into the hike we realized how much of a mistake we had made. We started to ration our water, saving the bottle with the electrolyte mix to get us through the final stretch. I remember a particular big gulp was so refreshing and rejuvenating it took all I had not to finish off the bottle. I feel like if we were properly hydrated, tackling those hills might have been a little easier. Make sure you drink plenty of water before, during, and after your hike. Bring more than you think you will need. I hope you learned something and don't make the same mistakes we did! Share your mistakes in the comments and we'll all be expert hikers in no time! Happy hiking! |
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“Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow.” - Helen Keller AuthorMy name is Jessica. I live in Louisiana. I love exploring the outdoors and sharing my experiences. Archives
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