Ghost Paddle: beautiful scenery, and a lock-through of Claiborne dam

November 7 and 8 2009.

A very interesting paddle trip on both sides of the Alabama River where we explored almost every gunkhole between our put-in above Haines Landing and our takeout at the Highway 82 Bridge below Claiborne Lock and Dam.



We used the US Army Corps of Engineer's excellent Isaac Creek Campground as a base camp for our two-day exploration of this scenic stretch of the Alabama River. Friday night registration was topped with a barbecue dinner and a ghost-hunting jaunt to Haines Mountain. 

On Saturday morning we gathered for breakfast before departing for the fall colors along the river. The sixteen miles we travelled and meandered that day were mostly downstream and in slack backwater but we did have some strong headwinds that kept us hugging the lee bank. We were wowed by the exquisite weather and the scenery at Cane Creek, Stump Lake and the backwaters of Isaac Creek. 

Camping Saturday night back at Isaac Creek included catfish, okra, sweet potatoes, fried potatoes and other southern delectables. An area band entertained us with sweet live music and we were treated to a bit of dancing with our own star and hostess Linda Vice. We lived up to our EAT BIG motto that evening, and the cameraderie among the group, which comprised folks from Tallahassee to Lousiana and from Mobile to Atlanta, was all that ASRT followers have come to expect.  

Sunday morning saw the group through Claiborne Lock and Dam, most of them for the first time through a big-time lock.