Bayou Cane, Lake Pontchartrain, and the Tchefuncte River
Feb. 23, 1997
Hi All:
This was a great weekend. Saturday was full moon and I was invited to participate in a moonlight canoe trip. We met at Bayou Cane on Highway 22. Bayou Cane is the Eastern boundary of Fontainebleau State Park. It meanders for about two miles through the swamp and marsh before it empties into Lake Pontchartrain.
We started out at about 5:30 and reached the lake just in time to witness a magnificent sunset. The lake was smooth as glass so we paddled out a couple hundred yards, tied onto a channel marker and enjoyed the view. The sky was aflame with color.
Just about the time the sunset was finished in the west someone looked towards the east and exclaimed: "What's that fire over there?" The fire was the moon just beginning to peek over the horizon. We watched until the moon was up about 200 feet, then we untied and paddled toward it following the line of shimmering light dancing on the water. After about an hour we stopped and just sat there talking and watching the most beautiful moon I have ever seen.
We were in three solo canoes and one kayak. On the way back there was some concern that we might miss Bayou Cane but we did spot a channel marker. The paddle back through the bayou was beautiful. The open space between the trees reflected on the water guided us. An owl flew over my head at one point along the way.
Since there was another canoe trip the next day, when I got home all I had to do was shower and go to bed. No unloading. I was up early this morning, stopped at the restaurant in Robert for breakfast and met the group at the mouth of the Tchefuncte River. Today had been predicted to be a beautiful sun shiny day with no chance of rain. When I was going through Madisonville a few drops of precipitation begin to hit the windshield.
It was only a light rain and everyone put on raingear and we got the boats in the water and loaded. The plan was to paddle across the river and portage about 50 feet to a canal that parallels Lake Pontchartrain. The lake was smooth so we decided just to paddle in the lake instead of portaging. We did this for about a mile, then there was a cut and we entered the canal without having to portage.
Today there were 7 solo canoes and one kayak. One couple had just received new Bell canoes. A Wildfire for him and a Flashfire for her. This was the maiden voyage for the two new canoes. The rain continued with varying intensity. We came to another cut to the lake and a nice sand beach. Lunchtime. The rain had stopped a few minutes before and the sun came out. I took off my raingear and packed it away.
After we had finished lunch it started raining again and we decided to head back. The lake was still fairly calm even though there was a little breeze from the southwest. Some of us decided to start back in the lake. Some took the canal. It was great paddling in the lake with the wind pushing us and riding the small swells.
I heard a lot of screaming from the canal and I learned later that one of the girls while doing a bracing turn gave up the brace too soon and ended up in the water. The water was shallow so she only got her legs wet.
Never mind the rain, it was still a great trip.
Hulin Robert