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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
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