Canoeing the Attoyac

Labor Day in San Augustine... a day to ask what is more important? Work or play? Play today, of course! Jeff and I loaded the canoe on the trailer, checked the weather, packed some sunscreen, drinks, and life vests and decided to explore the Attoyac River near Etoile.

After leaving the launch area near the bridge, we maneuvered out of the cut into the river and began our journey. It was a calm day, the sun shone bright on our backs, and the temperature was 91 degrees. The water was brown from the recent rains. We investigated patches of lily pads that were in bloom with large beautiful yellow Water Lotus, and some had dropped their petals and left the center pod sturdy on the stalk. Further down there were Water Hyacinths, purple with a yellow eye on each petal. Once in awhile a fish would break the water or turtle slide from a log. A bird with a long neck hid under the water, until we passed. I did not see a snake or alligator, although some fellow paddlers did warn us about some ahead.

Jeff and I paddled slowly upriver, watching behind us so we would recognize which path to follow back to the boat launch area. He warned me about the dangerous mythical Kraken, a monster, that lives in the seas, rivers and bayous around us, assuring me the only way we could turn the boat over was if they suddenly appeared and attacked us. Jeff also contemplated the use of solar panels to create energy to power a motor for our canoe, considering how they would be mounted and how much power it would produce. He also wondered if an A&W Root Beer can would float on a lily pad. I daydreamed about explorers before us, like maybe the native Indians who may have used the little river for transportation or hunting. I always wondered if there were some areas of the world where no man has ever set foot, such as the little islands that get covered with water when the river rises. There were ducks and egrets all around. The highway sounds got further and further away. The only insects were the little black Whirligig Beetles moving feverishly along the top of the water.

We watched our time and decided to go a little further to see what was around the bend, and again to see what was around the next bend, and the next. Then I looked up and saw the dark clouds. A storm was brewing and after looking at the entire sky, we decided it was brewing fast and we needed to head back even faster. We paddled vigorously for about 45 minutes resting very little and battled the wind produced by the the storm a good bit of the way. I did not want to get caught in lightening or have to wait it out on an uninviting river bank. Refreshing rain began to fall on us close to the end of our journey; there was never any thunder or lightning; and thankfully, the Kraken never showed the light of day!

Thanks to Jeff, my husband, for being patient and paddling me around on a second canoe trip to the Attoyac so I could take so many pictures. And if you are wondering, we took our soda can back with us and did not leave it on the lily pad. :)