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Where we will be paddling and what the area is like: There is a choice of wetland destinations to the west and north of New Orleans. Among the choices are LaBranche Wetlands near the Bonnet Carre Spillway, the Manchac Wetlands north of Laplace, and the Big Branch National Wildlife Refuge around Lacombe.
Where to meet: All paddlers are to meet at the launch site. Directions will be sent when individuals sign up for the paddle.
When to meet: Meeting time set individually for each trip. This will give us several hours of daylight before sunset. The outings usually last from five to six hours from meeting time until return to New Orleans.
What to bring: Lunch and drink. Dress for the forecasted weather but bring something warm to wear in case the night air is cool. Wear footwear that can get wet since paddlers may need to step out of the canoe. Also bring raingear - poncho or a rainsuit. Finally bring a flashlight and a can of insect repellant for each canoe.
What is the schedule for the evening: From the launch, we will explore the wetlands that have been chosen for the evening. The route may take us through swamps or marshes via a web of canals, bayous, and ponds. At sunset, we will pause both to watch the sunset and to eat our lunches. We will probably eat in our canoes since that gives us the best view of the sunset and any wildlife activity.
Once it is dark, we will resume our paddle by the light of the moon. The lead and sweep canoes will have small lights for identification. Often we pause for a few long minutes to just listen for the sounds of the night. The frogs can be in a frenzy of chirps, bleats and croaks. There may well be other sounds that are unidentified. But what is of most interest is whether any alligators are present. Using spotlights, we look for the red eyes of the alligator. Often we are successful in seeing one or more.
The fee for the guide service and the use of the canoes and the paddling accessories is $35 for one or $65 for two. There is a $10 credit per paddler if paddlers furnish their own canoe. A child as a passenger is $5.