On 2/5/98 22:33PM, wsteffen_at_skypoint.com wrote: >Is there any reasonable lodging in the Biloxi area-I was thinking of taking >a drive down that way later this winter if I can get away. Ive never been >there, but I read somewhere that its becoming a fairly "upscale" area. I >can sure use a dose of hard core kayaking about now, in the balmy (compared >to Lake Superior) winter waters of the Gulf. Its mostly a pipe dream right >now, but I'd like to know more about the area just in case. I'm a low-scale >guy, so if its all uppity-yuppity maybe I'll go elsewhere. This is Mississippi we're talking about! The casinos have moved into the Gulfport and Biloxi area so it's beginning to look a bit like Atlantic City, but with lots of rednecks instead of New Yorkers. All of those yahoos have to have someplace cheap to stay after they lose the family nest egg! The casino hotels and beachfront hotels can be pricey, but you can find plenty of cheap hotel/motels (and camping) everywhere. Call the local chamber of commerce in Gulfport for info. Also, didn't mention this in the last posting, but great sea kayaking can be had all along the Lousiana-Mississippi-Alabama coast line. South of Mobile (one hour east of Gulfport/Biloxi and two hours east of New Orleans) is the Gulf Shores seashore with Dauphin Island off the coast. The areas around Mobile Bay are also quite beautiful and is worth the trip alone. A ferry operates from Biloxi to Ship Island, but I dunno if they will haul a kayak-I've never tried, but cannot imagine why they would not. Once again, get a copy of "Trail Guide to the Delta Country" from the New Orleans Sierra Club for all of the pertinent numbers. If you plan on any paddling in this part of the country, this guide is absolutely indispensable. The two main shops that I would recommend for info are Adventure Travel, mentioned in the last posting-ask for Denis Dwyer, who is a very accomplished sea kayaker. Also, in Baton Rouge, there is a store called the Backpacker (504)925-2667. Ironically, this store is more oriented to paddling than backpacking (is VERY hard to backpack in the swamps). There are also a ton of slow-moving (flatwater) rivers that empty into the gulf along this stretch of the Gulf Coast that make for excellent paddling for touring kayakers. Among the more popular are the Bogue Chitto, the Wolf river, the Whiskey Chitto and others. If you want to paddle in the marshlands or swamps, the Atchafalya Basin (one hour west of New Orleans) has been featured in the "Trailside: Make Your Own Adventure" series and is available on videocassette which will give you a taste of paddling in the swamp. There is an incredible diversity of life, so if you are into wildlife, this is one of the best places in the country to paddle, IMHO. You can get complete information on all of the islands included in the Gulf Islands National Seashore at this address: Gulf Islands National Seashore 3500 Park Road Ocean Springs, Ms 39564 Weatherwise, we have very little cold weather down here. I think New Orleans has had only one or two nights of below freezing weather this whole season. I live in Houston, but my job keeps me traveling throughout this whole area and today, we have blue skies with 65 to 70 degree temps. Couldn't be better for paddling. I have to mention this WARNING: If you paddle in the swamps or marshland, make sure you have very good maps and orienteering skills. Is VERY easy to get lost back there if you get off the main trails. Guides are also available...find them by contacting the local paddling shops mentioned above. Hope this helps! ------------------------------------------------------------------- Neil Harrison-Houston, Texas email: nil_at_nol.net (_at_ _at_) web: www.nol.net/~nil/ ----------------------------ooO~(_)~Ooo---------------------------- 100% recycled electrons *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net ***************************************************************************
> From: Nil9000000_at_aol.com > > You can get complete information on all of the islands included in the > Gulf Islands National Seashore at this address: > > Gulf Islands National Seashore > 3500 Park Road > Ocean Springs, Ms 39564 They also have a website at http://www.nps.gov/guis/ Cheers Jackie http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/ _ _ _ _ _ \\ / \0/ \ / \0/ \ \\ " " `\ ,sSSs,\, )\w/( ,sSS..)/{) <<..> sSSS_v)/ \ )<*> sSS[(\_]___\ <(_/_o_o_ 'sS[_`-+---+) \----+-------+-------'---`-----\-------------') ~~~~~~~ ~~jf ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~\~ ~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ o \ o \\ o o \\ o o ` (\ o o >jf:-) o (/ o *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net ***************************************************************************
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