trip report, bayou meto

[jaxjack]

2 members of the senior trt of jacksonville, combined ages 146, started at west main at 1230 and floated to dupree park today. got off at 430 with 2 tires, 3 coolers and one extra large trash bag of bottle and cups. no problem getting thru. still tires and trash out there, but much better than we started 3 yrs ago. lots of ducks, deer and herons. few turtles, no snakes were seen.
jack danielson

[jonest]

Thank you.

[Cowper]

Good Job!

I'm glad to hear you're beginning to see a difference. Urban streams are especially challenging because rains bring in so much street litter. If the City leaders are serious about their water trail, maybe some day we can convince them to add grates to the storm drains.

Were you able to float it all the way through, or were there tree portages?

[jaxjack]

no portages. the trash stash from the big drift we moved to the high bank last year is still there. i had forgotten about it. several canoes or a jon boat full.
jack

[gma06001-]

This is really awesome. I didn't know anyone ever floated this section. Growing up in Gravel Ridge I used to regularly float from the 107 bridge right behind my house down to the interstate crossing. Sometimes in a jon boat, sometimes in a canoe. If you ever make it to the 107 put-in there is an awesome (fairly large) beaver pond that I used to roam on a daily basis with my coonhound back in gradeschool, which is also cool to float around on. There are some really awesome cypress trees along Bayou Meto. Thanks for helping this section of stream!

-Mitchell

[jaxjack]

i think the city of sherwood public works has started a stream team to cover their section. north pulaski high school had one, but i dont know how active they are now. highly dependent on teachers who have interest.
jack

[c8mb]

Thanks for the trip report and the clean-up. I need to get over there sometime and have a look-see.

[Cowper]

It might be a good idea to get the "trash stash" before the spring floods get a chance to scatter it. Based on the combined age of your TRT chapter, I'm guessing you're both available mid-week like me. Pick a sunny day and let me know if you'd like to hit it.

That beaver pond sounds intriging too. May have to go look and see if that is still there.

[gma06001-]

It'll still be there! May be real low after this summer but those beavers aren't going anywhere. People have been tryin to get rid of em for forever out there. Personally I love em!

[jaxjack]

cowper,
after the week end rains. best days for me are tues, thurs and fri. your jon boat and motor would help a lot. maybe saws too.
my phone 985 3670 and e mail jbdan111@aol.com
jack

[jaxjack]

cowper,
bayou crested last nite . slowly dropping. thurs should still have plenty of water. dupree landing access flooded, so need to exit at hwy 161. city has vee prow aluminum boat with motor we can borrow if you dont want to use your jon boat. they also have 3 aluminum canoes we and others could use. sun and hi 50s predicted.
jack

[Deuce]

Jack and Cowper, I'm still a working stiff so I can't do a week day unless you want to wait until the week of Christmas (could be available one day 12/26 -12/28 pending yard pass ). I could bring a sixteen foot flatback canoe and 2.5 outboard and/or a wide sixteen foot john boat with a 25.

[jaxjack]

with predicted rains, there should be water then also.
that usually means more stuff to pick up.
i am ready to go, the more the merrier!
jack

[jaxjack]

dupree park ramp open again with lower water.

[Deuce]

If you're still interested I could head to the bayou next Wednesday or Thursday.