Kayaking - Sulphur Creek Workout 3/23/19

Sulphur Creek Workout 3/23/19                                              1 mile                1407.1 total
33:48 moving time, 1.9 avg mph, 4/3 max mph
Temp started at 30 degrees when we left the house, rose to 60 degrees

We had posted a paddle with Paddling Buds and Clarksville Kayaking friends, but had no takers.  So we decided to try Sulphur Creek.  The recent rains had raised the level of this creek to make it possible to paddle.  The depth of the Red River is about 7 feet, but the depth of Sulphur Creek where we paddled ranged from 1 foot to 3 or 4 feet.  Like last weekend, the skies were a beautiful blue and signs of spring were all around us.  As we paddled along, we saw buds and hints of green all around us.  We paddled under two bridges until we got to a spot where there were 'rapids'.  And when I say 'rapids', the water depth was probably about 2 feet, but the current was extremely strong and we just couldn't paddle past it.  There was a sandy bar here so we decided to stop for lunch, even though we had only paddled half a mile.  It was a beautiful spot for a lunch break as we could view our 'treacherous' rapids and a beautiful red Tennessee barn set in front of the gorgeous blue sky.  We noticed that the water current seemed milder across from the rapids so we tried to paddle upstream there.  Again, no luck.  So we turned our kayaks around and headed back to the Red River.  We can at least say that we have no paddled Sulphur Creek.

Our lunchtime view.

Lunch spot.

Some cool root formations.  It won't be long before these trees fall over.

The first bridge leading up Sulphur Creek.

The second iron bridge going up Sulphur Creek.

I just thought this looked cool.

Standing on the bank of Sulphur Creek, looking out towards the Red River.

Red River on the left, Sulphur Creek leading up to the right.
These are the steps leading down from Port Royal State Park.

Yummy praline snack on the way home.

Kayaking - Spring is Here - Red River 3/17/19

Spring is Here - Red River 3/17/19                                                11.3 miles        1406.1 total
2:45 minutes moving time, Average Speed 4.1mph, Max Speed 9.6 mph
Temperature in morning about 35 degrees, but rose to almost 60 degrees


The skies are blue!  The skies are blue!  We loaded up our kayaks and headed over to the Red River.  We put in at Porters Chapel TWRA Access and took out at Red River Canoe.  The river level was higher than usual at 8 feet so the water was moving quickly.  At the put-in and the take-out, there was mud covering the ramps pretty far up.  And as we paddled, we saw lots of branches and debris stuck up in the trees.  At one point, there was a child's plastic, red car dangling above the river from a branch.  It always saddens me to see so much trash lining the banks of this river, and sadly, as the season continues, the trash increases.

We've never noticed so many cave openings before.  With the foliage down, we had a better viewing.

Heron Rookery

We saw the most turtles today EVER on this river.

This tree is blocking the passage by the big gravel bar where we typically stop for lunch.   Because the river was so high today, we could go around the gravel bar, but once the water drops, this will be the only path.  Uhoh!

Entrance to Bell Witch Cave

No words.