Trinity River Canoe Trip

[trolleygirl]

I'm wanting to organize a Trinity River Canoe Trip for a Sunday in October and I was looking at either the 21st or the 28th. If anyone is interested, please let me know- this would be a guided trip with Trinity River Expeditions and the cost would be $35 per person and includes canoes and life vests and transportation back to the put-in site. The weather will be fine and the river will be perfect for it at that time. If you think you want to go, send me a PM and let me know your preferred date and we'll go from there. It should be fun and a great way to see the Trinity River project and get a feel of how all this "stuff" will shape our river....

[dfwcre8tive]

I'll be there. I've been wanting to do this for some time now.

[aceplace]

Sounds like it'll be a good time, TG. I'm in. Either of those two dates are good for me.

Ace

[RobertB]

Obligatory linkage:
http://canoedallas.com/

Awesome site with more information than you ever expected about the long-ignored river without which Dallas and Fort Worth wouldn't exist.

[trolleygirl]

Okay guys, I'm looking at Sunday, October 21. If you're in, send me a PM and I'll get you the details like time, location, etc., once I get everything finalized.

[CityLove]

Aw, nuts. I'm out that day. Guess we'll have to check it out on our own some time.

[Scot]

28th would be better, Cowboys bye week :D
Just trying to get my wife to come along, really!

[trolleygirl]

I don't care about sports. So too bad, so sad for anyone planning their lives around that....

Miss C.....what is your problem? Why can't you come? I miss you...

[CityLove]

I have to work...rehearsal for our concert on the 23rd.

[trolleygirl]

Okay guys. Throw in for October 21. I need to start to try to confirm a head count for Trinity River Expeditions. I will work something out with them too regarding the cost. It's $35 per person. I can either pay TE the total (if he requires that, he may not) and get y'all to pay me back when we meet, or hopefully we all just pay TE on the 21st. Will keep y'all posted, but I'm fine with either way. Just confirm to me that you've still got 10/21 penciled in on your calendars. If I remember correctly, we all met at ~ 10 am at Crow Lake Park, did a brief orientation and signed waivers of liability and we were off. We stopped just south of Downtown and had lunch and then resumed. We made frequent stops for various points of interest. We ended at south Loop 12 and the van drove us back to our cars at Crow Lake Park. The whole thing from start to finish lasted ~ five hours.

[jsoto3]

Count me and my wife in. I am inviting some friends. What is the latest date by which you must know attendance?

[trolleygirl]

Count me and my wife in. I am inviting some friends. What is the latest date by which you must know attendance?

Will tell you tomorrow, but I want to keep it under 20 and I think we're okay on that.

I CAN'T WAIT! This sounds like way fun!!!

[Scot]

My wife and I are 99% in. It will be her first time in a canoe :tropical:

[aceplace]

I'm definitely in for the 21st, TG, and looking forward to it.

It might be better for us to just pay the fee when we arrive.

[trolleygirl]

Okay....let me count.

So far I've got aceplace, njjeppson, scot + wife, halzo3, josoto + wife and ?, me and my s/o. I think I also have one or two other friends coming.

josoto, how many other friends do you anticipate?

I am going to send in a deposit for eight people confirmed and I'll take care of the balance if more than eight show up. What I need from y'all is to bring a check (or cash) to me on the day of or you won't get to go.

Sound fair?

[Halz3000]

Fair. Thank you.

[aceplace]

Sure, I'll be there with the cash.

[CTroyMathis]

Sounds like a great time you all.

I'd love to see some snapshots of the fantastic voyage and whatnot, if you are able to swing that into the fold.

Oh, and I wish you all fair winds and following seas. : )

[trolleygirl]

Okay then, we are looking at meeting at Crow Lake Park (Sylvan boat launch at 9:30am. This trip will take approx 4 - 5 hours on the water, depending on the temporary I-45 bridge (for the TRP, it's low and we will most likely have to get out and go around it and then get back in ).

Bring- definitely water and closed-toed shoes that you don't mind getting dirty- there will likely be some mud when we take out. This IS nature. Bring sunscreen and a hat because the channelized part of the river offers ZERO shade. Also, bring a light lunch or some good snacks- we'll pull off and have an opportunity to eat.

I just got a report this morning that there in an interesting skeleton- either a cow or a buffalo, but since it's too far in the silt close to the water to realistically be a cow (yes there are a few cows down there), that it's likely a buffalo skeleton. That would be cool; I can't wait to see it.

So, meet me down there at 9:30am and don't forget to bring a check for me- it's $35 per person.

Confirmed so far:

aceplace
njjepson
scot + wife
jsoto + wife + 1 friend
halz
me + my s/o

Please let me know if you want to go, want to bring someone else, or if you can't make it!

[jdwillis]

I just got a report this morning that there in an interesting skeleton- either a cow or a buffalo, but since it's too far in the silt close to the water to realistically be a cow (yes there are a few cows down there), that it's likely a buffalo skeleton. That would be cool; I can't wait to see it.


Take and post pictures of all the interesting, cool, or unusual things you see!

[RobertB]

I just got a report this morning that there in an interesting skeleton- either a cow or a buffalo, but since it's too far in the silt close to the water to realistically be a cow (yes there are a few cows down there), that it's likely a buffalo skeleton. That would be cool; I can't wait to see it.
Why would a buffalo be more likely than a cow? The Trinity's branches go way out into the country, so I could see a cow washing down from quite a ways out -- not to mention that there's some ag-exemption land as the river passes through Grand Prairie.

On the other hand, the river's flooding was the biggest reason behind the demise of the drive-through exotic animal park... supposedly some of the exotic animals were lost in the floods. So it might be *much* more interesting than a cow!

[trolleygirl]

Okay then it's an old bovine skeleton of some sort. Either way, it's pretty darn old.

[dfwcre8tive]

I'm bringing a friend with me... so add 1 more if you can.

[trolleygirl]

njjeppson + friend
scot + wife
jsoto + wife + 2 friends
aceplace
halz3000
me + my s/o + 5 of her friends

I think that will put us at capacity. See you all down at the Sylvan Boat launch (Crow Lake Park) Sunday no later than 10am.

[Scot]

We're still on, looking forward to it.

[aceplace]

I'm a gittin reddy... gonna have a good ol time... see y'all there.

[trolleygirl]

HOORAY!!!!! Someone else please bring a camera and take good piccies to post! My battery died and Crity's is....well it's a digital camera and I don't know that it's guality is all that great.

PS- I was down at the Rochester Park lakes today and saw a pelican and lots of other cool waterfowl. This will be a great trip.

See y'all soon!!!!!

[Scot]

first post from returning warrior... Very good trip, well worth the time for anyone, more later

[jsoto3]

What a grueling 7 hour trip! A beer and a shower later, I think I will survive. Thanks to Casey (Trolleygirl) for organizing this trip! Thanks to Scot for lending me the cap. And thanks to Tony (Aceplace) for giving my crew a ride back to the Sylvan launch.

The river seemed more littered than previous times I have canoed it, I guess from the flooding a while back.

Nevertheless, I think a good time was had by all, especially Scot! ;)

Our noble guide Charles (third pic) was a hoot as usual.

Here are some pics:

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/9803/dscn2102nr5.th.jpg (http://img152.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn2102nr5.jpg) http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/277/dscn2104kc2.th.jpg (http://img152.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn2104kc2.jpg) http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/3982/dscn2108pb7.th.jpg (http://img152.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn2108pb7.jpg) http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/2599/dscn2109rm7.th.jpg (http://img152.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn2109rm7.jpg) http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/3515/dscn2115vt1.th.jpg (http://img152.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn2115vt1.jpg) http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/2000/dscn2116wp8.th.jpg (http://img152.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn2116wp8.jpg) http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/8899/dscn2119ov1.th.jpg (http://img152.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn2119ov1.jpg) http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/117/dscn2123et8.th.jpg (http://img152.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn2123et8.jpg) http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/4020/dscn2130nd5.th.jpg (http://img152.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn2130nd5.jpg)

[dfwcre8tive]

My arms will be sore tomorrow...

[dfwcre8tive]

The Dallas Floodway is mostly straight and open (passing under the historic bridges and with views of the skyline). The side channels are the drains from pumps outside of the levees.

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/4610/dsc01334yn9.jpg

http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/9141/dsc01338cl2.jpg

This is what happens to trees and other debris in the flooway when the rains come.

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/5859/dsc01339zv8.jpg

Some areas of the channel in the floodway have trees along the banks.

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/1279/dsc01330vr8.jpg

After crossing under the DART bridge you leave the floodway and enter the Great Trinity Forest which meanders through the large trees. There are natural springs on the banks of the river and lots of wildlife.

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/278/dsc01345dp5.jpg

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/4487/dsc01347oz3.jpg

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/8883/dsc01349mk5.jpg

[jsoto3]

My arms will be sore tomorrow...
Because we covered just shy of 10 miles, against the 25mph winds much of the way?
http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/2338/dfwuftrinitycanoetripmaqs9.th.jpg (http://img156.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dfwuftrinitycanoetripmaqs9.jpg)

[Scot]

Good pics everyone. My CF card is probably dried out by now, but I'll give it until the morning just to be sure.
Best picture I missed was the dart train crossing the rail bridge with a couple boats in front of us on the river. I heard it coming and could have made the shot, but was busy with paddling or something.

Definitely sore tomorrow, I think it would have been a "good sore" if not for the unscheduled swimming trip and immediate 100% adrenaline dump when stuck on the log/pipeline.

[trolleygirl]

I love, LOVE the fact that someone in this group capsized and it WASN'T ME! (my s/o had bets on us!)

Yes it was a tough row and took a little longer on the river than normal. I have never pushed so hard against wind in a canoe- we had 25 - 30 mph headwinds and they pushed our boats like little paper toys. A lot of us got sideways and backwards because of the struggle to fight against the wind. Suffice it to say, it was HARD, y'all. Then after we went under the I-45 bridge, we had an extended break, at least 30 minutes, where we all drank wine and took our clothes off. Good times, good times.

Then somebody's boat capsized just at the Buckeye Trail overlook (too bad there weren't any hikers on the Buckeye, how fun would THAT have been???), and the canoe got stuck on something, and that was a little difficult to wriggle out of so we all to wait an extra hour or so until that problem was solved. Of course it always adds to time when the drunk girl was the only one helping the sogyy-bottom couple dump half the Trinity River out of their canoe......

Unfortunately, Charles' van choked and he couldn't take us all back Crow Lake Park. Fortunately, trolleygirl saved the day by dropping her car off at the take-out site that morning. You know, just in case. So, I ferried a few drivers back and we all raced back to pick up the rest of the crew. You really get a feel of just how far you actually went when you have to drive back to the put-in site.

I had a great time, I liked getting to talk with you all and get to know you. Holly (Halz3000) is my new best friend...love her, lover her and hope we can hang out some more. I suppose my highlight of the day was the last couple miles of the trip and my s/o and I were dragging back to wait for Charles who was far enough behind us that we couldn't see him, so we got a little quiet time alone to ourselves.....she decided that I needed some music so she serenaded me with a medley of Beatles, Willie Nelson and the "aria" from the Bugs Bunny cartoon where they did all the operas ("oh Bwunhilda, you awe so wovewey/Yes I know it, I can't help it..."). So vewy womantic, that one.

Actually she told me that this was a good way to spend a Sunday and thanked me for thinking of it. I know so many people who have lived in Dallas for years and don't know what there is in this City to actually do. I explained to Tony (Aceplace) that I have a love/hate relationship with this town. Part of the love comes when I can open up new horizons to people who have never experienced some of the things that make this city truly unique. Yeah I know it's an urban forest and a mostly brown river. But it's a healthy forest, we can learn lessons by the varying history of humans trying to tame the river and live near it and build bridges across it over the span of Dallas' life. The water quality in the Trinity is actually not that bad and in spite of the abundance of "Trinity flowers" (bits of trash bags that decorate the lower branches of the trees), the ecosystem seems intact- we saw a beaver and it was HUGE, like a small child- or maybe it ate a small child- so the wildlife in the corridor ain't struggling any.

I just wish there were more groups on the river doing this more. I think pf places where people seem to be more in touch with their city's natural amenities and I just wish that we could see four or five different groups every Saturday and Sunday out canoing the river. And then I think of all the comments that I have read here and on other forums where people have said that they want to leave Dallas because there's "nothing" to do here. There's plenty to do here.

So, that's my recap. I will post piccies later this afternoon.

[tamtagon]

Actually she told me that this was a good way to spend a Sunday and thanked me for thinking of it.

I can not believe you guys missed the Cowboys game.

[trolleygirl]

I can not believe you guys missed the Cowboys game.

Well, she told me tee-off time (kick off? tip off? Is this a round ball or a pointy ball?) was at like 3:15 or something and I told her that we would be done by around 3-ish anyway. So I tricked her. Then when we were driving back to the Crow Lake Park to get the cars, Tony and Holly both mentioned that they hate football. I told my s/o that she was in the wrong car to be trying to get sympathy for missing the game.

[Halz3000]

Had THE WORST time sleeping last night. I kept dreaming I was still on the Trinity, zigging to one side of the river and zagging back to the other (which really made that 7-hour tour more like 15). Tiffany and I coined this new, and very technical, canoe procedure as “The Zipper.” We highly recommend it when there’s a strong headwind.

Our guide, Charles, had the most comforting laugh I’ve ever heard, even when it followed a statement along the lines of, if you fall out of our canoe and are injured, no emergency rescue team can some save you. Needless to say, Charles made an excellent rescue mission to save the capsized couple.

I had THE FUNNIEST beaver sighting and it had nothing to do with a certain restaurant in Houston that was being discussed between Casey, her “S/O “aka Christy, and others. And, I now have a tan that would rival any midwestern farmer. Just an added bright spot on this cold and rainy day today.

I was startled to see how far we had gone. No wonder I am sore (SORE x SORE!!) today. Doesn’t matter though, the day was too funny, too interesting, and too cool. Such a fun group of people. Casey, you were awesome, so glad to meet you and everyone else from the board there. Your next mission, if you choose to accept it, is to arrange and outing to the Great Trinity Forrest…you’ve heard of it?


And, you heard right, I do hate football.
But I love me some Rex Sox.
GO BOSTON!!!!

[aceplace]

Ah boy, what a day we had... paddling on a lazy river against the wind, navigating hazards, seeing many birds and animals, yhe camaraderie and kinship, it was all a wonderful experience.

Many thanks to njjeppson, my canoe partner. Since he was an experienced canoer, we elected him captain of our two man boat, and he made sure I kept from making too many mistakes, like oversteering the boat.

About that break at the I45 crossing... no, I didn't take my clothes off. Actually the girls in the party found a good site to congregate, and when the boys arrived, we were told that it was for "girls only". Actually, they had to take care of some female business. Afterwards though, they threw it open to the male side, and we had a good old chat session, lunch break and a rest.

Had an interesting chat with Casie (Trolleygirl) about affairs in Dallas... she talked about how hard it was to bring good things about in this town, with public officials who give lip service to good ideas, but never do anything about them. It's really frustrating to those who really care about making the city better, but TG is a good soldier and never gives up. Even if she gets tired. Go girl! Don't give up on us.

Actually, if Angela Hunt wanted to get a good video to defeat the toll road, the I45 crossing is a good place for it. It is an idyllic spot with a small cove forking off from the river, and pleasant, non-steep banks to sit on... but a very ugly and noisy freeway bridge, loud noises and constant whirring spoiling the peace and ambience of the setting.

Even the problem with Charles' van couldn't dampen our spirits. Christie, Halz and I drove back to the starting point with Casie, picked up our cars and returned to the pickup point to get the rest of the party. I was able to fit Jsoto, Mrs Jsoto and two of their friends in the Jeep Liberty, and back we went.

By the way, many thanks to Charles. He is an excellent tour guide and outfitter, and if there's anything he DOESN't know about the Trinity River, I'd be surprised. The way he supervised each boat through the rapids, it's only due to his skill that only one boat went over. He took good care of us, and we owe him our thanks.

[Scot]

Pics came out pretty good for 8/10 of the trip, strange...

Early in the trip, Commerce bridge:
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee59/MetropolisScot/DSCN7666.jpg

Viaduct bridge:
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee59/MetropolisScot/DSCN7668.jpg

The crew and downtown view:
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee59/MetropolisScot/DSCN7670.jpg

Guide Charles:
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee59/MetropolisScot/DSCN7671.jpg

Always check Carfax:
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee59/MetropolisScot/DSCN7687.jpg

I think this was the turntable bridge (mechanism on the left side). I think the skeleton was supposed to be between here and the next bridge you see in the distance.
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee59/MetropolisScot/DSCN7688.jpg

Oldest bridge still in use in this area of the Trinity, 1904 IIRC:
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee59/MetropolisScot/DSCN7693.jpg

Crew after passing the 1904 trestle:
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee59/MetropolisScot/DSCN7697.jpg

Another old trestle. Just around the corner is Ye Olde Pipeline of Doom.
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee59/MetropolisScot/DSCN7708.jpg

[trolleygirl]

Okay so pics of the peeps, the proposed tollroad (hahaha), the drunk girl with her beloved champagne, the capsize and the motley crew.............oh and my hot, hot s/o (heh heh heh)

Um...okay I can't seem to get this right and I just took my weekly meds so I'm going to try to look at tis tomorrow if I feel allright.....

Well I don;t know how to post pics. What's the secret?

[RobertB]

Not much detail at the moment, but the DMN reports 1 dead, 1 rescued when canoe overturns in Trinity River in southern Dallas (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/071908dnmetboat.6a205a57.html). Hope it's nobody we know!

[dfwcre8tive]

Does anyone want to plan a trip for the Spring?

[incrediculous]

Let me know when, I might try to schedule a Dallas trip at the same time.