The Kayak Captain

Captain’s Blog
Star Date: 2010, October 9
Launch Pad:  Magnolia River

October is my favorite time of year, and I wasn’t about to spend this incredible fall day inside. The Adventure Twins (Laurel and Michelle), accompanied by my husband, Tim, loaded up the kayaks and headed off to explore the beautiful Magnolia River and Magnolia Springs in Magnolia Springs, Alabama.

We launched at Rock Street, an obscure launch perfectly suited for kayaks and canoes. Paddling upstream, we immediately began soaking up the beauty of this place. Fall wildflowers bloomed abundantly on the riverbanks, turtles sunned on surfaced flotsam, and mullet jumped all around. The photo safari was in full swing.

Crossing under the Highway 49 bridge, we entered Cold Hole, so called for obvious reasons. The water was crystal clear, allowing us to see the bottom five feet below. Interesting rock formations loomed from the creek bed, adding to the splendor of the springs. We continued up the creek toward the springs. Homesteads and native flora lined the banks as the river narrowed into a shallow creek.  Several trees had fallen across our paths, and we slowly guided our kayaks under them. We hit the end of our road with a tree lying just on the water’s surface. Being the daredevils that Michelle and I are, we secured our kayaks, crawled out on the tree and waded in on the other side. The chilly water numbed our feet, but we slowly made our way up the creek, braving the silt and sand that gave way under our feet. We hiked a short distance up the shallow branch.  Returning to our vessels, we meandered back to the launch pad and began planning our next adventure.

Capt. Laurel
Alabama Kayak Adventures

Adventure Twins Part II

After receiving a text earlier in the week “you want to yak Sat?” my next thought  — where will our next adventure take us. After planning to go north toward Mobile-Tensaw River Delta, at the last minute we decided to go south and paddle Magnolia River. Having only been kayaking for a few months, there are only a couple of places I have been more than once. Each location has opened my eyes to the profound beauty this area has to offer.

The Kayak Captain didn’t get to make this trip so the Adventure Twins decided it was a play day (Laurel’s husband Tim had no idea what he was getting himself into when he decided to join us). We don’t let trees get in our way and only need six inches of water to get where we want go. After paddling upstream for a short time the water became crystal clear. You could see amazing rock formations, fish, silt and underwater greenery. Things that are probably always there, but you just normally can’t see much less capture in photos. The best part was getting to what we thought would be a turning around point. After much discussing and chiding on how it was no big deal to get wet (the water was REALLY cold) we decided to exit the kayaks and take a walk to see the springs that start Magnolia River.  That was the best decision we have made so far. To see sites that most people will never view are so worth documenting and sharing. Hope you enjoy the photos and our adventures as much as we do!  — Michelle

www.mrtimages.com, www.alabamakayakadventures.com