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Hi gang, Rick Ostler from Used Pontoon Boats bringing you news and views from the boating industry. Here is an interesting article by Anne Shumaker on the opening of the Alabama Scenic River Trail. CEDAR BLUFF - "Angels were watching over us" was a comment heard from several participants in Sunday's opening of the Alabama Scenic River Trail.
Alabama Scenic River Trail
Barely two hours before the Chamber of Commerce boats were to begin their trip from Riverside Campground to the Georgia border, high winds prevailed and dark, threatening clouds roamed the skies. Elected officials, Chamber representatives, boat pilots and trail supporters scanned the skies and tuned to weather radar and radio broadcasts. Just minutes before the scheduled departure time, winds shifted the clouds eastward and blue skies appeared. Event sponsors were pleased to be able to call for a "go."
The 45-minute ride took the "welcoming party" along scenic sections of Weiss Lake - as well as some sights the county is trying to have cleaned. The trip provided time for several discussions among county leaders to gather ideas for possible solutions to pollution problems.
Alabama Scenic River Trail - nation's longest one-state river trail
As the Chamber's three pontoon boats approached the Alabama/Georgia line, passengers could see in the distance kayaks and canoes moving at a fast paddle. A bright red starting-line ribbon was quickly stretched between two of the Chamber's pontoon boats. Applause erupted as the canoes and kayaks slipped across the state line to open the Alabama Scenic River Trail. The 631-mile trail is the nation's longest one-state river trail.
In one of the canoes was Fred Couch, the "father" of the River Trail project. An expert canoeist, kayaker and instructor, Couch promoted his idea for a trail in 2006. He convinced officials with the Alabama Department of Tourism and Travel that such a trail would bring tourists and money to the state. He even had a printer friend develop a sample brochure/map about the trail.
Couch showed the proposed publication to the Tourism Department and within a few days received a call saying that the state would publish the brochure.
Kayaking on the Coosa River Channel of Weiss Lake
In one of the kayaks was Richard Grove, a paddling enthusiast who made the Rome, Ga., to Mobile trip in 2006. Other paddlers launching from the lock and dam in Rome and skimming the waters into Alabama hailed from Atlanta, Childersburg, Hoover and Anniston. All waved and shouted "Thanks for being part of our welcoming party" as they continued their trip down the Coosa River Channel of Weiss Lake.
The Alabama Scenic River Trail travels seven rivers, including the Coosa, Alabama and Mobile, several creeks and the delta. Well-marked trails around five dams on the Coosa assist trail paddlers in portaging their boats. Farther south, trail users may take advantage of locks to pass additional dams. Numerous historic sites dot the trail, with many of the locations not visible from major highways.
Alabama Scenic River Grand opening June 6
The grand opening of the Alabama Scenic River Trail will be at the Riverwalk in Montgomery on June 6, beginning at 11 a.m. There will be no admission charge for spectators or trail paddlers. The public is invited to attend. Musical entertainment and refreshments will be available.
Economists estimate the trail will generate more than $50 million to the state each year as paddling enthusiasts take advantage of the ASRT.
Shortly after the welcoming party returned to the campground pier, clouds began to re-form and winds greatly increased. Slightly more than an hour later, torrential rains caused a flash flood and electrical power surges. One of the event promoters said, in relief, "We must have been just supposed to have this kickoff today. The weather lifted just long enough for us to complete the ceremony."
Additional information about the ASRT may be obtained from the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce (927-8455 or www.cccoc@tds.net) or from the PaddleAlabama Web site.
Thanks to Anne Shumaker, Times Correspondent, www.gadsdentimes.com
Used Pontoon Boats, By Rick Ostler
Pontoon Enclosures-North American Waterway
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Showing posts with label Kayaks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kayaks. Show all posts
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Used Pontoon Boats - Waterway Clean Up
Sponsored by Seized Boat Auctions
Hi gang, Rick Ostler here from North American Waterway bringing you Used Pontoon Boats along with news and views from the boating industry. DUNNELLON — Jack Dennis piloted his 18-foot pontoon boat up the Rainbow River on a recent Saturday, watching for rocks, shallow areas and tubers bobbing in the cool water.
Rainbow River Patrol Waterway Clean Up
While folks on the boat were looking for trash on the waterway, it was hard to keep their eyes off the hundreds of fish swimming along the sandy bottom, numerous birds along the shore and a mischievous otter that surfaced to peek at the boat before darting back into the rippling current.
Trash in and along the river is a big problem, even if you don't immediately see it, said Jerry Rogers, coordinator of Rainbow River Conservation's annual Rainbow River clean-up. That is why Rogers would like as many volunteers as possible to meet at Rio Vista Park on May 17 to help with the clean-up.
Kayaks and Canoes for Waterway Clean Up
"You have to take your kayak or canoe and get in close to the shore to find trash," Rogers said. He said water bottles and soda cans tend to get caught in grass along the banks. He pointed out a bikini top draped over a Rio Vista Park sign. He picked it up earlier and put it there, he said, hoping the owner might come back for it.
"I found two pairs of shoes the other day set out right here beside the road," Rogers said. "Now wouldn't you think that people would miss their shoes?" In other years, volunteers have found T-shirts, towels, abandoned floats and inner tubes, lottery tickets and even false teeth, Rogers said.
Waterway Spring Clean-up
"The rules, regulations and enforcement have helped keep trash levels down a tremendous amount over the last years," Rogers said. "But there's still trash that gets blown into the river off of boats, or thrown into the river. We pick up a fair amount of trash each year during our spring clean-up, usually about a trailer full."
Over the years that Rainbow River Conservation has sponsored the event, groups such as area Scouts and high school students have lent a hand. About 140 people came out to help last year, Rogers said. "We will have the Marion County Sheriff's underwater recovery team," Rogers said, which lends the community a hand while practicing skills for their own operations.
Jet Boat owners no wake zone
While pollution from trash is a grave concern on the popular, fragile river, there are other issues. "I'd say the worst problem is getting people to adhere to the no-wake, idle speed," said Dennis, also a member of Rainbow River Conservation. "I hate to say this, but it's the fishermen with the big jet boats. They'll raise their prop up to try to keep from scarring (on the shallow bottom), and it throws a gigantic wake."
In 2006, Dennis endorsed forming the Rainbow River Patrol, a volunteer group supported by the Marion County Sheriff's Office. Members get training and must pass a test. With the mix of sometimes thousands of tubers out for a day on the river and people wanting to use boats in the same space, the river patrol is a welcome presence, Rogers said. "We use a sheriff's patrol boat and go out on weekends," Rogers said. "We wear shirts that say who we are, and talk to people in boats who may not be aware of things they can't do."
Kayak Group Cleans Up
The group regularly picks up debris, and people who live along the river are constantly policing it, Rogers said. "We have a kayak group that cleans up on a regular basis. If they go out on the river and see something, I know for a fact they pick it up."
Rainbow Springs is a first-magnitude spring ranked fourth in Florida for volume of discharge. It produces 400 to 600 gallons of water each day that disperses throughout its 5.7-mile length, according to Rainbow River Conservation officials. The 220-member group formed in 1962. They began sponsoring the annual river clean-up in 1980. While picking up somebody else's trash isn't the most pleasant task, organizers make it fun by awarding prizes for most trash, most unusual item, and largest item.
And, there's food. "After the clean-up, my wife and I will do a cookout for everybody who has taken part," Rogers said. "We do this every year. We'll have hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans and cold drinks."
Thanks to LORA E. IDE, Ocala.com for this.
Used Pontoon Boats, By Rick Ostler
Pontoon Enclosures-North American Waterway
Be sure to check out this weeks latest Pontoon Boat Videos
Also we value your comments, if you can add more info in regards to this article please do so. Thanks............Rick
Hi gang, Rick Ostler here from North American Waterway bringing you Used Pontoon Boats along with news and views from the boating industry. DUNNELLON — Jack Dennis piloted his 18-foot pontoon boat up the Rainbow River on a recent Saturday, watching for rocks, shallow areas and tubers bobbing in the cool water.
Rainbow River Patrol Waterway Clean Up
While folks on the boat were looking for trash on the waterway, it was hard to keep their eyes off the hundreds of fish swimming along the sandy bottom, numerous birds along the shore and a mischievous otter that surfaced to peek at the boat before darting back into the rippling current.
Trash in and along the river is a big problem, even if you don't immediately see it, said Jerry Rogers, coordinator of Rainbow River Conservation's annual Rainbow River clean-up. That is why Rogers would like as many volunteers as possible to meet at Rio Vista Park on May 17 to help with the clean-up.
Kayaks and Canoes for Waterway Clean Up
"You have to take your kayak or canoe and get in close to the shore to find trash," Rogers said. He said water bottles and soda cans tend to get caught in grass along the banks. He pointed out a bikini top draped over a Rio Vista Park sign. He picked it up earlier and put it there, he said, hoping the owner might come back for it.
"I found two pairs of shoes the other day set out right here beside the road," Rogers said. "Now wouldn't you think that people would miss their shoes?" In other years, volunteers have found T-shirts, towels, abandoned floats and inner tubes, lottery tickets and even false teeth, Rogers said.
Waterway Spring Clean-up
"The rules, regulations and enforcement have helped keep trash levels down a tremendous amount over the last years," Rogers said. "But there's still trash that gets blown into the river off of boats, or thrown into the river. We pick up a fair amount of trash each year during our spring clean-up, usually about a trailer full."
Over the years that Rainbow River Conservation has sponsored the event, groups such as area Scouts and high school students have lent a hand. About 140 people came out to help last year, Rogers said. "We will have the Marion County Sheriff's underwater recovery team," Rogers said, which lends the community a hand while practicing skills for their own operations.
Jet Boat owners no wake zone
While pollution from trash is a grave concern on the popular, fragile river, there are other issues. "I'd say the worst problem is getting people to adhere to the no-wake, idle speed," said Dennis, also a member of Rainbow River Conservation. "I hate to say this, but it's the fishermen with the big jet boats. They'll raise their prop up to try to keep from scarring (on the shallow bottom), and it throws a gigantic wake."
In 2006, Dennis endorsed forming the Rainbow River Patrol, a volunteer group supported by the Marion County Sheriff's Office. Members get training and must pass a test. With the mix of sometimes thousands of tubers out for a day on the river and people wanting to use boats in the same space, the river patrol is a welcome presence, Rogers said. "We use a sheriff's patrol boat and go out on weekends," Rogers said. "We wear shirts that say who we are, and talk to people in boats who may not be aware of things they can't do."
Kayak Group Cleans Up
The group regularly picks up debris, and people who live along the river are constantly policing it, Rogers said. "We have a kayak group that cleans up on a regular basis. If they go out on the river and see something, I know for a fact they pick it up."
Rainbow Springs is a first-magnitude spring ranked fourth in Florida for volume of discharge. It produces 400 to 600 gallons of water each day that disperses throughout its 5.7-mile length, according to Rainbow River Conservation officials. The 220-member group formed in 1962. They began sponsoring the annual river clean-up in 1980. While picking up somebody else's trash isn't the most pleasant task, organizers make it fun by awarding prizes for most trash, most unusual item, and largest item.
And, there's food. "After the clean-up, my wife and I will do a cookout for everybody who has taken part," Rogers said. "We do this every year. We'll have hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans and cold drinks."
Thanks to LORA E. IDE, Ocala.com for this.
Used Pontoon Boats, By Rick Ostler
Pontoon Enclosures-North American Waterway
Be sure to check out this weeks latest Pontoon Boat Videos
Also we value your comments, if you can add more info in regards to this article please do so. Thanks............Rick
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