Fall Color Bayou Float, Arkansas Post, Saturday, Nov. 8

[seark]

Join National Park Service staff for a fall color float on Moore and Post Bayous. We will meet at the Moore Bayou boat ramp at 10am this Saturday and will paddle around Arkansas Post National Memorial until Noon enjoying the fall colors and wildlife. Sharp-eyed floaters may spot an Eagle's nest, beaver lodges and sunning alligators. The park has a beautiful picnic area you can enjoy after the float. This is a nice, quiet water trip perfect for families. Dogs are allowed on leashes in the park but we do not recommend bringing them on the float. Call or email Jodi Morris, 870-548-2207, jodi_morris@nps.gov, to reserve your spot. One canoe and one kayak are available for loan to participants who don't have their own boat. Of course, everyone should bring their own lifejacket, cameras and binoculars.

For more info on Arkansas Post National Memorial, visit http://www.nps.gov/arpo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Arkansas Post National Memorial is located on Arkansas 169, seven miles south of Gillett. It can be reached via US 165 and is about 20 miles north of Dumas and 20 miles south of DeWitt. Moore Bayou Boat Ramp is located on 169 just before the park entrance.

[seark]

A hint of what you would see can be viewed at: http://picasaweb.google.com/mjodimorris" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... 8033551090

The pictures were taken almost a month ago when the first fall color began to appear, this weekend should be close to the peak.

[jonest]

Seark,
I won't be able to make the float on Saturday, but going to be in the area on Monday. Is this an ok site for solo paddling? I suppose I've watched too many Tarzan movies. The sunning alligators is a bit of a concern. Where are they if they are not sunning? My gator wrestling skills aren't what they used to be. Can the average paddler out run a hungry gator?

Tim

[Jim Krueger]

Tim,
I'll loan you my old homemade 'Black' kayak I used to paddle Clear Lake near Arkadelphia in. It looks the most like 'Female' alligator :)

Best Regards
Jim

[jonest]

Jim,
Thanks, but I think I'll pass. I'm not wanting a decoy. A scare-crow is more what I had in mind.
Call me crazy, but I don't thnk gators and kayaks are not a good mix. There is a reason dogs are not recommended on the float,,,you will go home without them.

BTW-I"m now a proud owner of a perception 3D.

Thanks
Capt. Hook

[seark]

I have paddled with the gators many times here as well as in Florida and Louisiana and have had no problems. Neither have the many fisherman who boat here. We haven't had any problems with dogs on leash either - but local lore speaks of duck hunters who have lost dogs to gators - hince the warning. Haven't met anyone who actually has but the warning seemed prudent.

People who don't float always worry about snakes too, but I've never had one of those attack my boat either.

[seark]

On the solo paddle question: Moore Bayou is a Corps of Engineer boat ramp open to the public. It is open dawn to dusk. Officially the National Memorial doesn't allow launching and landing from in the Memorial but those on the Sat. trip will be with park staff.

Where are the gators if they aren't sunning? If its cool they may be in their dens. If its too hot, they'll be in the water, the mud or in their den. If its a cool sunny day, they'll bask in the sun like turtles.

[Shark Attack]

If there is a den of 'gaters in Louisiana watching a football game, do they cheer for Florida or LSU?

[jonest]

Thanks guys for the information and the humor.
Enjoy the weekend.
Tim

[seark]

http://picasaweb.google.com/mjodimorris/FallFloat#" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The link above is to photos from the Fall Foliage trip - a good time was had by all. The wind gusts kept us from paddling up to the Eagle's Nest which is in an open water area, we chose instead to paddle up Moore Bayou towards (and under) Hwy 165. The Eagles very obligingly flew up the bayou to circle over our heads. The wind kept the gators from sunning as well but deer, ducks and numerous other birds were spotted. Moore Bayou is relatively narrow and sheltered by tall trees, so it was the perfect trip for the day.

[Karla]

Those are great pictures, the color is excellent. May have to paddle there sometime.

Karla