Bobby McKenzie says:
I drove by Langdale Park yesterday and it was open.
![[Driveway, pavillion, streetlight, logjam, sandbar (rotated)]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2020-11-29--langdale-park-upgrade/manyrot.jpg)
Driveway, pavillion, streetlight, logjam, sandbar (rotated)VLPRA did a great job cleaning up the road back there. There wasn’t a single rut to be seen, all filled in nice and smooth the whole way. Continue reading
Expedition leader Bobby McKenzie says: “I’d like to cancel tonight’s Full Moon paddle. I’ve been monitoring the weather and it looks like there is thunderstorm movement headed our way and will hit while we are on the water. I’ve attached reports from 3 sources.”
So today’s outing is cancelled.
But no worries! The Full Cold Moon Banks Lake paddle is coming up Tuesday, December 29.
Before that, bring your boat and decorations to Banks Lake for the Winter Solstice Light Parade, Saturday, December 19!
More: For more WWALS outings and events as they are posted, see the WWALS calendar or the WWALS outings and events web page. WWALS members also get an upcoming list in the Tannin Times newsletter. Continue reading
A little rain didn’t stop us on a fun two nights of camping and two days of paddling to and from Floyd’s Island in the Okefenokee NWR. Yes, the dozen of us saw gators, cormorants, and herons on the Suwannee River, the tree canopy over the run to Floyd’s Island, and deer on the island.
Thanks to Bobby McKenzie for leading this expedition, and to Shirley Kokidko for provoking it.
![[banners, river, gator, canopy, island, deer]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2020-11-07--okefenokee-floyds-island/many.jpg)
banners, river, gator, canopy, island, deer
Also we saw Georgia River Network’s thirty paddlers coming in Sunday as we were going out, but my camera had run down by then. Here’s a picture of GRN E.D. Rena Ann Peck on the Friday before, in Moniac, GA.
Here are more pictures, also on the WWALS website.
Many paddlers posted pictures on facebook. Continue reading
The manatee swam under my boat; I was sitting still. This was on the Ichetucknee River, just above the Santa Fe River. Shirley Kokidko led us on the Redo: Ichetucknee and Sante Fe River Paddle 2020-01-20.
We’re going again January 2, 2021.
![[Manatee under boat, 14:07:12, 29.9327060, -82.8000880]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2020-01-20--ichetucknee-santa-fe-pictures/20200120_140712.jpg)
Manatee under boat, 14:07:12, 29.9327060, -82.8000880
This is just a small selection of pictures.
There are more here:
https://wwals.net/pictures/2020-01-20–ichetucknee-santa-fe-pictures
Click on any small picture to see a larger one. Continue reading
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hahira, Georgia, November 12, 2020 — Join the Mayor of Valdosta and a hundred of his closest friends for a leisurely paddle on the Withlacoochee River. Mayor Scott James says, “Over a year removed from a terrible spill into our area waterways, and right at a year of massive improvements to our infrastructure since our last ‘Mayors Paddle,’ I am again looking forward to fellowship on the river February 6.”
All elected officials present will have three minutes to speak. And you can paddle up to them and ask questions.
WWALS President Tom H. Johnson Jr. said, “This stretch of river extends from the most populous city in the Suwannee River Basin past some suburbs and many rural woods. It is important for all the upstream city and county wastewater treatment plants to keep a grip on their sewage, because many people depend on the Withlacoochee River for swimming, fishing, and boating, plus water wells nearby may be affected by anything that goes into the river. It’s a joy that publicly elected officials are involved in this activity, and that the Mayor is helping organize it.”
It was fun last year, so let’s do it again! There is plenty of room to stay six feet apart, at Troupville Boat Ramp, the lunch stop, and at Spook Bridge, and of course on the water. We are still working out how the shuttle will work.
Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman said, “Thanks again to The Langdale Company for riverside access at the mid-way lunch stop, and at the Spook Bridge takeout.”
![[Pictures from last year]](/pictures/2021-02-06--troupville-spook-mayor-paddle/many.jpg)
Pictures from last year,
2020-01-18.
Attractions include Valdosta’s famous Withlacoochee Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Outfall, which has not spilled since December 2019. Yes, we know some people in the Valdosta city government consider that not a spill, since the raw sewage never actually got into the WWTP. We hope Valdosta’s new catch basin prevents that. Most of the route is downstream from GA 133, where Valdosta has frequently gotten high E. coli results from nobody yet knows what source. The entire route is upstream of Okapilco Creek, which sometimes carries cattle manure runoff after big rains. We will once again test the water quality from the river.
When: Gather 9 AM, launch 10 AM, end 4 PM, Saturday, February 6, 2021
Put In: Troupville Boat Ramp, 19664 Valdosta Hwy, Valdosta, GA 31602: on GA 133 off I-75 exit 18. in Lowndes County.
Take Out:
Spook Bridge, west from Valdosta on US 84, left onto Ousley Road, right onto Old Quitman Highway, stop at the gate.
Thanks to The Langdale Company for access through their private property
to Spook Bridge for this outing and for water quality testing.
Bring: the usual personal flotation device, boat, paddles, food, drinking water, warm clothes, and first aid kit. Also trash pickers and trash bags: every WWALS outing is also a cleanup.
Free: This outing is free to WWALS members, and $10 (ten dollars) for non-members.
You can pay the $10 at the outing, or online:
https://wwals.net/donations/#outings
We recommend you support the work of WWALS by
becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations/#join
![[Troupville Boat Ramp (upper right) to Spook Bridge (lower left)]](/pictures/2021-02-06--troupville-spook-mayor-paddle/map-troupville-spook-bridge.jpg)
Troupville Boat Ramp (upper right) to Spook Bridge (lower left)
in the
WWALS map of the Withlacoochee and Little River Water Trail.
Reroute: Different entrance (South), different landing (Dampier’s), and upstream paddle.
First paddle of 2021, from Ichetucknee to Santa Fe Rivers.
Ichetucknee Springs State Park tells us no Ichy Nippy Dip Day for 2021, due to the virus pandemic, but the North Entrance will be open. So see you there, but keep your distance. Then WWALS will paddle downstream. We will also paddle past the notorious Sabal Trail fracked methane pipeline.
When: Gather 9:00 AM, Launch 10:30 AM, End 4:00 PM, Saturday, January 4, 2020
Put In: Ichetucknee S.P. North Entrance, 8294 SW Elim Church Rd, Fort White, FL 32038.
GPS: 29.9859, -82.7602
Take Out: Hwy 129 Boat Ramp, William Guy Lemmons Memorial Park Ramp @ 296th St. Ramp, From Branford, travel east on US 27; turn right on US 129; travel south to 296th Street; turn right and William Guy Lemons Memorial Park is on the left, in Suwannee County. 29.912717, -82.860514
Bring: the usual personal flotation device, boat paddles, food, drinking water, warm clothes, and first aid kit. Also trash pickers and trash bags: every WWALS outing is also a cleanup.
NOTE: The Ichetucknee is a non-disposable river; do not have any food or drinks in disposable packaging. All liquids and foods should be in reusable type containers. This helps keep litter out of our rivers.
Free:
Free: This outing is free to WWALS members, and $10 (ten dollars) for non-members. You can pay at the event or online.
https://wwals.net/donations/#outings
We recommend you support the work of WWALS by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations/#join
Fee: There is a $5.00 park fee.
Continue readingFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hahira, Georgia, October 29, 2020 — Everybody had a good time on a fine sunny day with the water just right. We had a few more paddlers than last year, and more vendors and sponsors, so WWALS Boomerang 2020 was a rousing success!
“The winner drove up from Tallahassee: Jackson Buttery, who finished the six-mile round trip in one hour sixteen minutes and 42 seconds. He got the $100 cash First Prize.” said Bobby McKenzie, the WWALS Boomerang mastermind.
![[Jackson Buttery winning and with First Prize]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2020-10-24--boomerang-front-videos/jackson.jpg)
Jackson Buttery winning and with First Prize
Of the racers, 10 were male and 12 were female, in 16 boats, of which 6 were tandem kayaks and 10 were solo kayaks.
The four McKenzies in one canoe (Bobby Mckenzie and his 2 young sons and 1 daughter, all from Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, in the Alapaha River watershed) did register, although they did not race, so that’s 13 male and 13 female paddlers, for 26 in all, in 17 boats.
“I would say considering the Coronavirus and the other metrics listed, the Boomerang had a stronger showing this year than last. Plus the vendors have grown and we had a fourth outfitter join us at the ramp, Madison Outdoor Adventures, along with Banks Lake Outdoors, NWXpeditions, and VSU Core. We also got more sponsors this year, adding Olympia Bend and Life Outdoors and SBMS CrossFit.”
Other winners included first, second, and third for various distances, classes (solo or tandem) and genders, as well as for upside down, backwards, and last: Continue reading
Since there are two weekend outings in the Okefenokee Swamp 7-8 November 2020, I suggested some paddlers may also want to drive by the proposed titanium mine site southeast of the Swamp. Kim Bednarek, Executive Director of Okefenokee Swamp Park, suggested we meet first at Lacy’s Kountry Store in Moniac, for lunch, talks, and discussion. She and Rena Ann Peck, Executive Director of Georgia River Network, will say a few words. Also saying a few words will be either Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman or WWALS Executive Director Gretchen Quarterman. Possibly we will have another speaker.
![[Moniac marked by green ellipse]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2020-11-06--swamp-and-mine/Moniac-marked.jpg)
Moniac marked by green ellipse
on the WWALS map of
the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail and the Okefenokee Swamp.
No doubt everybody will have plenty to discuss, considering the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers just abdicated oversight of streams near the mine site and Twin Pines Minerals says it will plow ahead yet TPM still needs five Georgia permits.
This is just a small, informal, side trip. We will only be able to see the mine site from the public highway. Yes, I did ask TPM if they would hold a tour for us, but they said they were only allowing employees and contractors on their site.
When:
Noon, Friday, 6 November 2020.
Please come early so we can start at noon.
Where:
Lacy’s Kountry Store, 389 GA-94, St George, GA 31562.
They have a wide selection of foods you can order.
Event: facebook
May I also recommend you read this book: Pinhook: Finding Wholeness in a Fragmented Land, by Janisse Ray. Continue reading
You don’t have to wait for
Saturday and the WWALS Boomerang
to bid in the online slient auction:
https://www.betterunite.com/WWALS-wwalsboomerang2020
You can bid on paintings by Julie Bowland, a day trip by NWXpeditions, a Life Outdoors archery package, a one month SBMS Crossfit membership, kayak racks, cake, bowl, pump, and more!
![[Silent Auction]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2020-10-24--boomerang/wwals-boomerang-silent-auction.jpg)
WWALS Boomerang 2020 Silent Auction
You can even buy a $30 ticket to the Boomerang through the silent auction link.
Everything about WWALS Boomerang 2020 is here:
wwals.net/pictures/2020-10-24–boomerang
-jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®
You can join this fun and work by becoming a WWALS member today!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hahira, GA, September 4, 2020 — The water’s up, and we’ve added sponsors at State Line Boat Ramp on the Withlacoochee River 9 AM this Saturday, October 24, 2020. For the WWALS Boomerang paddle race you can choose 1, 2, or 3 miles downstream into Florida, and then back up. There will be food, drink, prizes, and an online silent auction.
Tickets are on sale now, $30 online or at the event.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wwals-boomerang-paddle-race-2020-tickets-118844038719
Boomerang mastermind Bobby McKenzie says, “There is plenty of room for distancing at the boat ramp, and even more room on the water. We will have someone at the one big shoals to direct you.”
WWALS Executive Director Gretchen Quarterman said,
“Thanks to Bobby for getting Olympia Bend Shooting Range as a sponsor!
There’s no need to be shooting up our water trail signs.
And let’s not forget Life Outdoors, who are supplying two archery packages
in the online auction, along SBMS Crossfit, NWXpeditions, and others.”
https://www.betterunite.com/WWALS-wwalsboomerang2020
Bobby McKenzie added, “With Madison Outpost Adventures we now have four outfitter sponsors, adding to VSU CORE, NWXpeditions, and Banks Lake Outdoors. Thanks to Carter & Sons for cooking barbecue that WWALS will serve for purchase. Drinks will be available from Kona Ice, and we will have water dispensers. In addition to the $100 First Prize, each of the many winners will get a Boomerang tumbler!”
Canoes, kayaks, and paddle boards are welcome to register starting at 9 AM, Saturday, October 24, 2020, with the race to begin at 11 AM.
Come early if you want to help clean up at the boat ramp. We’ll give you a spiffy Georgia Rivers Alive bandana facemask.
![[Open containers of alcohol prohibited]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2020-10-16--suwannee-fl-6-sl/20201016_171908.jpg)
Open containers of alcohol prohibited
State Line Boat Ramp is at 6461 Madison Highway, Valdosta, GA 31601. If online maps misdirect you, try 6600 Madison Highway. You may also know it as Mozell Spells, or Madison Highway Boat Ramp; it’s at Horn Bridge on the Withlacoochee River, just north of the GA-FL line on Madison Highway, also known as GA 31 and Madison County CR 150.
Heading south down I-75, take Exit 11, turn west, and keep going until you see the boat ramp sign, then turn right. From Madison, Florida, head up CR 150 until you cross the river, make a U-turn, and head down to the ramp.
Everything about WWALS Boomerang 2020 is here:
wwals.net/pictures/2020-10-24–boomerang Continue reading
![[Three weather reports]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2020-11-29--cancel-full-moon-banks-lake/many.jpg)
![[Start]](/pictures/2020-01-20--ichetucknee-santa-fe-pictures/start.jpg)
![[WWALS Boomerang 2020]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2020-10-24--boomerang-front-videos/boom.jpg)
![[And they're off]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2020-10-24--boomerang-front-videos/drone-off.jpg)
![[WWALS Boomerang 2020]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2020-10-24--boomerang/WWALS-Boomerang-Flyer-2020-0001.jpg)