Recreation -- Travel -- Nature
From Bayou Bartholomew in the north to the Atchafalaya Swamp in the
south, from the Sabine River in the west to the Pearl River in the east,
Louisiana abounds with water to explore. Canoeing Louisiana is your
guidebook for paddling through a Deep South region that boasts a great
variety of waterways.
The book takes a broad focus, covering the state in a way that
anyone--local or visitor, day-floater or wilderness tripper--can enjoy.
The book especially highlights waters that are in or near public lands,
including wildlife management areas, parks, national forests and
national wildlife refuges. In Louisiana there's no shortage of options,
from easy day jaunts to semi-wilderness expeditions.
Although there is no whitewater in this bayou state, there is nature
galore--a wealth of woods, water, and wildlife. And there's considerable
variety: clear sandy streams like Tangipahoa and Whiskey Chitto; vast
swamps like Atchafalaya and Honey Island; hill-country bayous like
Bodcau and D'Arbonne; gorgeous lakes like Chicot and Bistineau; and sea
kayaking destinations such as Grand Isle and Lake Pontchartrain.
Paddlers who still want an adrenaline thrill can try finding a way
through seemingly endless cypress swamps, dodging cottonmouth snakes, or
paddling among alligators.
Author Ernest Herndon has identified more than thirty waterways which
meet criteria for good paddling. Canoeing Louisiana provides general
descriptions and specific information on where to go and what to expect.
It also discusses types of boats and gear most suited to Louisiana, as
well as techniques for camping, navigation, and fishing. And it explores
relevant facets of history, ecology, folklore, and biology since most
paddlers want to know more than just the logistics of a paddling
destination.
This is the only comprehensive guidebook about Louisiana's waterways. It
will appeal to all those who have an interest in the natural wonders of
the Bayou State.
Ernest Herndon is a staff writer and outdoors editor of the
Enterprise-Journal in McComb, Mississippi. He is also the author of
Canoeing Mississippi (University Press of Mississippi). See the
author's Web site at www.ernestherndon.com.
