The Lower Mississippi River Water Trail
Rivergator Appendix XII:
Sources
Books:
Historic Names and Places on the Lower Mississippi River
1977, Mississippi River Commission
by Marion Bragg
Canoeing Mississippi
2001, University Press of Mississippi
by Ernest Herndon
Canoeing Louisiana
2003, University Press of Mississippi
by Ernest Herndon
Rising Tide: The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and How it Changed America
1997, Simon & Schuster
by John M. Barry
The Narrative of the Expedition of Hernando de Soto
by the Gentleman of Elva
Translated by Buckingham Smith
Canoeing Mississippi
2001, University Press of Mississippi
by Ernest Herndon
Offering lively currents, big woods, abundant wildlife, and plenty of solitude, the great number and variety of Mississippi’s waterways debunk the stereotype of muddy, stagnant sloughs harboring clouds of mosquitoes and swarms of snakes.
Outsiders-and even some native Mississippi paddlers-may not be acquainted with the pleasurable surprises of the Delta’s lazy, slow-moving rivers or with the sandy streams of southwest Mississippi, the rock-walled creeks in the northeast, the blackwater brooks of the southeast, the gem-clear streams of the Gulf Coast, or central Mississippi’s lustrous, meandering Pearl River and its sparkling tributaries and ox-bow lakes.
This handy, instructive book showcasing them all is for armchair travelers as well as for paddlers planning an excursion. It includes history, folklore, geology, wildlife, ecology, fishing techniques, plus some rousing adventure stories. Focused on the Mississippi environment, it provides information on boats, paddle strokes, gear, camping, and navigation. Streams are described and charted, and at the end of each description quick references of essential facts are provided for those planning a float.
Mississippi boasts well over 2000 miles of waterways, which range from tiny creeks and bayous to the mighty Mississippi River itself, not to mention vast swamps and countless lakes, many of which are profiled in this book.
Although these waters are relished by those who bond with the out-of-doors, the ominous problems of erosion, litter, pollution, channelization, crowds, and lawsuits are of great significance. Canoeing Mississippi helps awaken the public to sensible use and preservation of this wonderful natural resource.
Ernest Herndon is a staff writer and outdoors editor of the Enterprise-Journal in McComb, Mississippi. He is also the author of Canoeing Louisiana (University Press of Mississippi). See the author’s Web site at www.ernestherndon.com.
Canoeing Louisiana
2003, University Press of Mississippi
by Ernest Herndon
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.
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