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| Kayak | 5.94 Miles |
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| | Kayak | 5.94 Miles | 3 Hrs 13 Mns | | 2.13 mph |
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| no partners | | I was camping at Alabama's Meaher State Park while making my way from Arizona to Florida with a big kayak on top of my car. I usually planned a day or so ahead as to where I would camp or motel, and where I would go kayaking. But I found Five Rivers Delta because I talked to a guy at the campground who was wearing a Utah t-shirt. He was walking by when I was taking my garbage to the dumpster. Of course, since he was wearing a Utah t-shirt, I had to say something to him.
I had planned to launch my kayak at the boat ramp right at the park. But Utah T-shirt Guy told me it would be better to drive across the highway and try out the special paddle-craft launch ramp at Five Rivers Delta Resource Center. He also recommended I visit the museum and gift shop there. So, the next morning I did just that. I paddled only about 6 miles because I was so busy taking photos of water birds.
That launching structure was amazing! Check out the photos.
I was a little out of my element, never having been to the Southeast, and having gotten myself there all alone, and sometimes I erred a bit on the side of (perceived) safety. It was just pure dumb luck I talked to that guy. Otherwise I would never have learned as much about "wild Alabama" as I did. This place is definitely worth a return visit.
The signs (and a T-shirt I bought) will tell you the Delta is where five rivers come together in Mobile Bay. These are the Mobile, Tenshaw, Spanish, Blakely, and Apalachee Rivers. However, if you look at a map, you'll find several other rivers feed into that delta as well.
The state and local interests have developed a system of canoe/kayak trails with land campsites and camping platforms. I didn't have time to explore--I was almost to Florida, my eventual destination. But I was told you can easily paddle for a week back up into those rivers. They are slow-moving, so you can go up or downstream.
I didn't see any alligators, but they are there! It wasn't until paddling in Florida that I saw some.
If you go:
Official info about Five Rivers Delta and Meaher State Park:
https://www.outdooralabama.com/activiti ... rce-center
https://www.alapark.com/parks/meaher-state-park
The state park is extremely convenient, has big tent campsites. There are showers, flush toilets, etc. The only drawback is that Interstate 10 (yes, OUR Interstate 10) goes by less than half a mile away across the marsh. It was one of only a few times I used my ear plugs when going to sleep. I stayed two nights. |
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There is a point of no return unremarked at the time in most lives. Graham Greene The Comedians
A clean house is a sign of a misspent life. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
