Sunday on Bayou Nezpique in Louisana
Dec. 18th, 2012
by Christy Long
2.5 feet, USGS 08012000
Air temperature 55 degrees
Launched from Highway 97 (Evangeline Highway)
Photos Christy Long
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Map of Bayou Nezpique |
Bayou Nezpique is close
to Jennings, Louisiana, on I-10 (exit 65). From I-10 take Highway 97 North. The
launch is about one mile from I-10. The gauge is sixty river miles to the north
in Basile, LA.
I have driven over
this bayou at least three times a year (some years, more often) for the last
fifty-five years and when I started paddling I realized it would be an
interesting adventure. Brent (my brother) bought a new kayak in September and
he too, thought about paddling the Bayou Nezpique. We had each scouted the crossing
on different occasions to see if the river was accessible, there would be legal
parking, and if it would be reasonably safe. We agreed that the river was accessible
from both sides, had decent parking, and our vehicles would be as safe as any
parked on the side of the road.
Steve (my husband)
and I were visiting my parents in Basile the weekend of December 17 and 18 and
decided to take our kayaks on the chance we could work in a couple of hours of
paddling.
After our visit, Steve
and I met Brent at the launch site on Sunday morning. It was a still, cold, and
sunny day, perfect paddling weather. Steve and I were bundled-up and Brent was
in his usual attire of t-shirt and jeans. He did have a sweatshirt but did not
wear it. Crazy guy.
We paddled
upstream (north) for about an hour. Along the way, we saw a beehive, many small
birds, and about eight duck blinds. The duck blinds might have had something to
do with the complete absence of big birds. No
egrets, herons, or ducks flying ahead of us as we have experienced on other
rivers and bayous.
If you take this trip avoid the hunting season and wear bright clothing. All my
relatives are Cajuns and I know they will eat anything.
Short Wikipedia summary of Bayou Nezpique:
"Bayou Nezpique (pronounced
“neh-PEE-kay” translated to “tattooed nose bayou”) is a small river
located in the Mermentau basin of south Louisiana. The bayou is 70 miles long
and is navigable by small shallow-draft boats for 23 miles of lower course.
Attakapas Indians inhabited this area at one time."
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Christy sliding into Bayou
Nezpique for the first time
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White honey comb
protruding from tree
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Brent and Christy. The
shadow from the tree
is somewhat like the
river,
straight and
curvy at the same time.
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Christy in T-Canyon
Prijon Kayak (note
duck blind in tree)
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Christy, Brent, Steve (bubble
trail shows where I slide into
place just
befor the timer
clicks the picture)
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Small bird feeding from
wisteria seed pod
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Beauty in the bayou.
Duringa rainy season
the water level is above
the knees of the
cypress trees
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Duck blind, this blind
was not camouflaged
like most of them
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Guard chair,
it kept me away
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Another pretty view. There
is a blind coved with moss
in the center of the
picture at the bank
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Steve (in his new boat)
and I were bundled-up
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View of the launch site
parking area. The parking
area had deer and fish
carcasses scattered around
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| The author, Christy Long
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