On Saturday, October 14^th, a group for 17 club members, new and old friends, met at the Reelfoot State Park’s visitor center.  To begin the day, there were a few lucky ones that were able to view the solar eclipse around 11:45 am.  After everyone has arrived,  the group gathered around our host, David Haggard, a TN State Wildlife officer, Park’s Ranger and a naturalist, who briefed the group on the float plan and the route, and how to keep the group out of predicted high winds that could make paddle in open waters difficult.

We put in at the West Boat House Trailhead that took us through the marsh lands full of old cypress trees, saw grasses, duckweed, water ferns and acres of lotus leaves and a few late blooming water lilies.  The water’s surface was thick with it making paddling a challenge, but that abundance of green water growth is what makes this unique ecosystem thrive.  It is food, shelter, oxygen, and nutrients for all the living in this reservation including fish, waterfowl, eagles, birds, and land animals.  The stars of this paddle were  migrating white pelicans!

We saw flocks of ducks and pelicans, some of them just arriving  from  the north to make their stops at Reelfoot as they rested, fed, and rejuvenated.   They continue their southern flights to the Gulf shores of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi , Alabama, and Florida.   

We had cloud cover, most of the trip.  Temperatures were in the low 70’s so jackets, windbreakers, hats and gloves were the right gear to have for this trip.  Thankfully the winds stayed low while we made our way to the open waters of the northern part of the lake known as  “Long Arm”. We sighted mature adult Bald eagles (at least 3). A young eagle (plumage is speckled and head not white yet) was perched high above us on a dead cypress tree.  We tried to stay quiet and keep our distance as we passed it.  David Haggard  pointed out the different species of ducks that flew over the lake by their flight patterns, sounds and colors. We saw Teal ducks and Wood ducks.  Trees filled with Swallows flying about.  Finally, we reached the pelicans.   If you had binoculars, you could enjoy seeing them a little closer.  These were new arrivals and not used to humans in boats coming around.    We could see them slowly stretching their wings as they prepared to fly.  They flew low above the water to our delight.  We saw at least a couple of dozen there and  more will be arriving very soon.  Most of them move on; occasionally they will stay, usually due to an injury that prevents them from migrating with the group. Sadly, those that are unable to continue their journey would not survive the winters of Tennessee. Rescuing those would be a challenge since there are no pelican rescue or refuge in this area.

After packing out boats up, most of us met at The Boat House Restaurant near Samburg, TN.  For the first time we decided not to go to Boyette’s, as the Boat House was David’s new favorite.  We were not disappointed. Plenty of items on the menu to choose from, great atmosphere and the friendly and attentive staff. At the restaurant, we were joined by our trip initiator, Patty McLaughlin, her husband Barry and Dave Haggard’s father, Gerald, for a delicious meal and a fellowship.  Sadly, Patty did not join us during the paddle, but we are so thankful for her initiating this wonderful paddle.

As expected , those Northern winds started arriving just in time for us to bundle up and drive back home knowing we just experienced a fine jewel of a place and made some great memories together.