Category Archives: Outing

Videos: Troupville Nature Park and River Camp, Trash, Cleanups –Helen Tapp & Suwannee Riverkeeper @ Scott James Radio 2022-12-15

Helen Tapp was still around after Lowndes County bought land from her for a nature preserve, so I asked Scott James to get her on his radio show, in which we talked nature preserve and trash.

[Movie: Thanks --Scott James, Helen Tapp]
Movie: Thanks –Scott James, Helen Tapp

We learned a few new things: the Valdosta YMCA is working on providing Withlacoochee River access just downstream from the railroad bridge and Sugar Creek, with no boardwalk required.

And the Mayor predicts that Valdosta United Way and the City Council will each provide $2,000 towards two additional WaterGoat trash traps.

Helen Tapp discussed that recent purchase to make a nature preserve at the Little River Confluence with the Withlacoochee River. She and Suwaneee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman and Valdosta Mayor Scott James talked about eight miles of river right next to Valdosta, with chainsaw cleanups to make it more accessible down to Troupville River Camp, where the Chairman and Mayor’s Paddle will depart March 4, 2023.

These WWALS videos include the rest of the interview, after a cable provider knocked Talk 92.1 FM off the air for the morning. Including Continue reading →

Pictures: Banks Lake Full Cold Moon paddle 2022-12-07

Quite a few happy boaters, on a balmy weekday at an early start time, saw the sun set and the moon already rising, on the Banks Lake Full Cold Moon Paddle.

Thanks to Shirley Kokidko for leading it.

[Banners, Kayak Raffle Winner, Sunset, Moonrise, Banks Lake 2022-12-07]
Banners, Kayak Raffle Winner, Sunset, Moonrise, Banks Lake 2022-12-07

The next one is Friday, January 6, 2023.

Please make your boat reservations in advance. If we know more boats are wanted than the limited number at Banks Lake Outdoors, we can bring more, but not if we don’t know.

And please get there before the safety lecture. If you show up after that, we don’t like to, but we will turn you away. Gather time and paddle time are posted for each paddle outing. The safety lecture is before we paddle. Continue reading →

Video: Kayak raffle winner @ Banks Lake Full Cold Moon paddle 2022-12-07

This only ever happened once before: the WWALS kayak raffle winner was standing there at the drawing.

[Kayak Raffle Drawing]
Kayak Raffle Drawing

WWALS Executive Director Gretchen Quarterman had already transcribed the online tickets onto paper tickets like all the others. Continue reading →

Banks Lake Full Wolf Moon Paddle, 2023-01-06

Update 2023-01-11: Pictures: Banks Lake Full Wolf Moon paddle 2023-01-06

Join us for our first leisurely Sunset and Full Moon Paddle of 2023, on Banks Lake, our mini-Okefenokee just west of Lakeland, Georgia.

If you need a boat, reserve in advance! See below.

When: Gather 4:45 PM, launch 5:15 PM, moonrise 5:29 PM, sunset 5:46 PM, end 6:30 PM, Friday, January 6, 2023
You must arrive enough before the launch time to hear the safety lecture.

Put In: Banks Lake Boat Ramp, 307 Georgia 122, Lakeland, GA 31635, in Lanier County, on the Alapaha River Water Trail (ARWT).

GPS: 31.034824, -83.096725

[Banks Lake sunset, 2022-01-17 Photo: John S. Quarterman]
Banks Lake sunset, 2022-01-17 Photo: John S. Quarterman

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Allen Ramp to SRSP, Withlacoochee River, 2023-02-04

Update 2023-02-02: An hour later: Allen Ramp to SRSP, Withlacoochee River 2023-02-02.

Double Door Spring is an awesome thing to see for those who haven’t seen this part of the wild and beautiful Withlacoochee River. We will pass numerous rocky shoals requiring some skills so this outing may not be appropriate for beginners and young children. There are many other clear springs to explore.

When: Gather 8 AM, launch 9:30 AM, end 3 PM, Gather 9 AM, launch 10:30 AM, end 4 PM, Saturday, February 4, 2023

Put In: Allen Ramp, 2726 SW 64th Way Jasper, FL 32052, in Hamilton County, Florida.

GPS: 30.449167, -83.221328

Take Out: Suwannee River State Park Ramp, Left bank of the Suwannee River, upstream from Withlacoochee River Confluence, 3631 201st Path, Live Oak, FL 32060, in Suwannee County, Florida.

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. Mosquitoes can be bad at dusk so come prepared.

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/outings

Plus $5 per vehicle parking fee payable at SRSP.

We recommend you support the work of WWALS by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations

Double Door Spring, Withlacoochee River, Photo: John S. Quarterman 2019-06-01
Double Door Spring, Withlacoochee River, Photo: John S. Quarterman 2019-06-01

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Troupville at flood with dogs 2022-01-20

Me and the dogs were curious to see what the site of future Troupville Nature Park looked like at high water.

[Collage, Troupville River Park site, 2022-01-20]
Collage, Troupville River Park site, 2022-01-20

We did not make any exciting new discoveries; we just went to see how far we could go south and east at that water level. Well, we did find plenty of trash of various kinds.

The water level has been higher, but it was pretty high:

  • 14.5′ (147.3′ NAVD88) on the Folsom Bridge Gauge (Little River @ GA 122).
  • 14.16′ (124.56′ NAVD88) on the Valdosta Gauge (Withlacoochee River @ US 41 or North Valdosta Road)

Many pictures are on the WWALS website.

You can trace our path be the loop of binoculars on this Continue reading →

Pictures: Banks Lake Full Frost Moon paddle 2022-11-08

Lindsey Williams says, “Nice evening out on Banks Lake. It was just 4 of us but we have a great time.”

[Sunset, Boaters, Moonrise 2022-11-08]
Sunset, Boaters, Moonrise 2022-11-08

Thanks to Lindsey Williams for leading this one at the last minute, the Banks Lake Full Frost Moon Paddle, 2022-11-08. There was confusion about who was going to lead it, and being on a Tuesday and starting before most people were off from work, not many people showed up.

The next one is also mid-week and early, but maybe more people will come: Banks Lake Full Cold Moon Paddle, 2022-12-07.

Below are pictures of the November paddle from Lindsey’s facebook photoset.

For more WWALS outings and events, see: Continue reading →

Banks Lake Full Cold Moon Paddle, 2022-12-07

Update 2022-12-07: Pictures: Banks Lake Full Cold Moon paddle 2022-12-07.

Update 2022-12-07: Video: Kayak raffle winner @ Banks Lake Full Cold Moon paddle 2022-12-07.

Take a mid-week break on Banks Lake, with a leisurely Sunset and Full Moon Paddle.

When: Gather 4 PM, launch 4:30 PM, moonrise 5:07 PM, sunset 5:31 PM, end 6:30 PM, Wednesday, December 7, 2022

Put In: Banks Lake Boat Ramp, 307 Georgia 122, Lakeland, GA 31635, in Lanier County, on the Alapaha River Water Trail (ARWT).

GPS: 31.034824, -83.096725

[Sunset]
Sunset

Continue reading →

Tickets: Floyd’s Island Okefenokee Camping, 2022-11-19

Update 2022-11-08: Tickets for the Refuge fee:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/okefenokee-paddle-and-floyds-island-camping-tickets-464297485277?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
Because of the time change from DST to EST, the sun will set at 5:30 PM, so Shirley has moved the gather and launch times an hour earlier, to “give everyone time to get to Floyd’s and set up camp before it gets dark. Saturday we will be on the water by 9 a.m. so come early enough (8 AM) to have your boat loaded. Remember to have a bow line on your kayak to tie off at Minnie’s Shelter, the only rest stop. It may also come in handy if we have to get out and drag through low spots. If we want a campfire, it helps to carry firewood. I’ll bring some that we can divide up and everyone can carry a piece or two. Sunday will be a leisurely launch time.”

This is primitive, wilderness camping and paddling at its best.

To come on this outing be sure that you are comfortable paddling your loaded boat for 9 miles against a moderate current with only 1 stopping point to get out for a break. Minnie’s Lake platform is the 4 mile lunch stop, then 5 more miles to Floyd’s Island.

Yes, there will be alligators in the heart of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.

[Gator and kayak]
Gator and kayak

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Camp and paddle at Griffis Fish Camp + Cast Iron Cookout, Suwannee River, 2022-12-02

Join us for 2 nights of rustic camping and cooking at Griffis Fish Camp on the Suwannee River downstream from the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refugee. Camping cost is $5.00 per person per night. There is also a $2.00 launch fee for each person. We have the Red Top shelter reserved so you can pitch your tent anywhere in the area. If you need hookup for a camper, you’ll need to reserve your own spot. Bring some firewood if you can. It gets dark early & chilly in December and we’ll enjoy a campfire both nights.

When: Gather 4 PM, launch none, sunset 5:29 PM, end all day, Friday, December 2, 2022
Gather 8:45 AM, launch 9:30 AM, end allday, Saturday, December 3, 2022
Wake up 8 AM, launch whenever you like, end go home, Sunday, December 4, 2022

Put In Friday: Griffis Fish Camp, 10333 Ga Highway 177 Fargo, Georgia 31631. From Fargo, travel south on US 441 to CR 177; turn left and travel 10 miles northeast; Griffis Fish Camp is on left, in Clinch County.

GPS: 30.78246, -82.443594

Take Out Friday: camping

Put In Saturday: Stephen C. Foster State Park Ramp, 17515 GA-177, Fargo, GA 31631. From Fargo, travel south on US 441 to CR 177; turn left and travel to Stephen C. Foster State Park, in Charlton County.

GPS: 30.826833, -82.361333

Saturday we’ll launch from Stephen Foster State Park at 9:30 and paddle 7 miles back to Griffis, with a lunch stop at the Sill where we will probably have to portage over. If the water level continues to be low, be prepared to portage your kayak over low spots and deadfall. If you don’t have a Ga. State Park pass or a National Park Pass, there is a fee for parking at SFSP. Ga. State Park passes are also free to borrow from any public library.

Take Out Saturday: Griffis Fish Camp

Back at camp we’ll get the fires going and start cooking. Show us what you can do with your old cast iron! There is no menu, absolutely anything goes. Bring your own plates/bowls/utensils to help reduce waste.

Put In Sunday: Griffis Fish Camp

GPS: 30.78246, -82.443594

Sunday morning will be a leisurely packing up. There is no check out time. If there is interest (and clean pots) maybe we can cook breakfast too. Everyone is free to go back to explore the Okefenokee further before heading home.

Take Out Sunday: Go home

[Cast Iron Cookout, Suwannee River Sill, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Griffis Fish Camp Beach]
Cast Iron Cookout, Suwannee River Sill, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Griffis Fish Camp Beach

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