Exposing Hogans Creek

[Noone]

Making a scene on the banks of one of the dirtiest creeks within our Downtown Jacksonville Overlay zoning districts which leads out to our St. Johns River our American Heritage River was me and the beautiful owner of Le Chat Noir a cupcake bordello and bakery the one and only MadamePK.

Cream me over. And I'm not just talking about the laced filled rancid sediments that have built up over decades in this naughty but yet inviting urban Waterway Destination in our Core Exchange District.

We met at 9 under an FDOT overpass just feet away from Hogans Creek. Her enthusiasm when she arrived had me thinking that this is going to be a Madame's Choice which is an option when picking one of the girls from her cupcake selections. No argument here. She has done triathlons and I'm thinking I'm in for the paddle of my life.

It was a beautiful morning standing on the banks and planning our trip. It was an outgoing tide and I mentioned the rookery that was heading north to our right and the nesting green heron and the two chicks that I've witnessed as well as other fellow paddlers over the weeks from an egg to almost a foot high bird that at any time will be leaving the comforts of the tree.

She has done triathlons. So feeling unleashed from my confectionery bondage we enter Hogans Creek and paddle against the current heading to the rookery. Almost immediately we spot one of the chicks fully exposed on a branch above the nest. The adults are flying away from the tree. As we get closer the chick flys from the lower branch to a higher branch. Another stepping stone in this birds development. It was cool to see. We continue on and MadamePK is commenting on all the fiddler crabs and the clams that are on the banks. We make it to the rapids of Hogans Creek and turnaround. If it was with team Skiles we would be going through LOL. Now going with the current we make our way out to the river. The shopping cart depth meter chart is a good foot below the wheels. We make our way past some of the homeless camps. Through the Maxwell House Plant under Bay St. and then into the river.

In the river we both shared a WOW! factor. MadamePK who had a successful business in Ft. Worth and listening to her comparisons and what they were allowed to do and not do brought back memories of past studies and how we just ignore recommendations. Chan Krieger,JCCI River Dance Study,OFWB, I digress.

She has done triathlons. So now we are heading out to the river and the shelter of the current dissipates as you enter the main channel to get a look at our Downtown. I mentioned the Promised 680'Downtown Public Pier and asked if you want to paddle down to it. There was no hesitancy in this Madame's voice. The tide is heading out and the current is strong. We would get halfway to the pier and stop and take pictures and then float a few 100' then start again toward the pier.  I don't know how many times that we did that but what got me was every time I'd say lets book it to the pier and she was gone. Remember as a kid racing and then you may not have been first but then you yell "hey" lets race this way. Your first again until they pass you again. We were those kids out on the river. The dolphins breaking the surface on an empty cooking sheet which is our river gave an extra vibrancy to our paddle. MadamePK may have been a 100 yards in front of me but when the dolphin broke the surface our voices were in unison sharing in the excitement.

The paddle back going with the current although easier it still has its challenges. No different than missing your exit on the interstate.

Making our way back again its a low tide and for the first time ever the shopping cart depth meter chart is showing the hand rail of the cart and its an inch below that. I almost want to compare it to Mark Woods chart that he shared with all of us in his recent column in the Times Union on tubing the Itchetucknee. It was low.

We loaded the kayaks, briefly spoke with a JSO officer that happened to be arriving and was asking about the trip. He shared his favorite kayaking spot but was thinking about doing Hogans Creek in the future. Now after working up an appetite it was off to see Robert at Robert's Eatery. I introduced Robert and he already has his palate set for one of MadamePK's  girls the Toasty Tart.

MadamePK welcome back to Jacksonville and all the best. It was so much fun to share our greatest natural asset with you.

Who's next?


   

 

[Noone]

Yesterday was the final shuttle launch for NASA less than 24 hours later was the beginning of a chapter that will continue to grow and  allow for exploration, Public Access and economic opportunity to our St. Johns River our American Heritage River in our Downtown Jacksonville Overlay Zoning District.   

The final ride of Atlantis may have had commander Christopher Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley, Mission Specialist 1 Sandy Magnus, and Mission Specialist 2 Rex Walheim but today on Hogans Creek and taking the mission to under the Hyatt parking lot were the four Amigos. Noone, Field, Capt Zissou, and PeeJayEss

The journey started with a cleanup at Hogans Creek. Field and I started at 9 and with an outgoing tide. The water clarity was excellent. We did a light cleanup and when the Capt and PeeJayEss showed up. You have to love the weakend warrior hours. It was great to see them. We made a mission decision to escalate this expedition to a new location and plan of attack. Before we embarked we all had some Fried Chicken Nuts. Mission control we are now ready.

I brought 4 kayaks and we just changed this Lite cleanup into an urban Waterway Destination Adventure with the Hyatt Parking Lot as our desired destination. We all drove over to the Jacksonville Historical Society and unloaded the kayaks. we walked by and were all looking at the still unidentified pole. I'm still going with a street car pole?

The tide was still heading out and low tide was still a few hours away. We are off and as we make our way out to the river the shopping cart depth meter chart has that Beaver mound look to it and the water level is 2" below the handle bar. The exposed sand bars are very exposed. There are two as you make your way out to the river. I would only trust the first one that you encounter. That's a future trip.

Once out at the river we are ready to make our paddle to the Hyatt. The current is steady and strong. I've encountered stronger currents at times but this was still a sporty paddle. At this point you just don't stop you keep paddling. I know for me it kicked my butt. I was so happy to make it and then just catch your breath as you are now out of the main current.

Once inside the cavernous open space of the vastness of this interesting Downtown Waterway Destination you have the opportunity to just look around and see the pockets of light that are piercing through in what can be described as a maze of concrete structures. We all paddled to the back and tapped our paddles to the back. The trip back out and once in the river we are now going with the current.

We are now going with the current and our Downtown Waterwat Destination Jungle Gym is just staring us in the face. We have options. We are just going with the flow. A shout out to one guy and he said that he had a nice 2 or 3 pound croker. Another guy fishing said he caught a little croaker. The biggest surprise and the best news is that there was a guy walking out and getting ready to fish on the Pier. Somebody Pinch Me.
Field mentions that's its because the fence is down and people are allowed to participate.

Field and I have taken the inside track and are just floating next to the bulkhead of Shipyards/Landmar. The Capt. and PeeJayEss have gone to the outside trac of the piers. We meet at an area that contained a floating debris field filled with all kinds of junk. Guys the lightbulb didn't work. We had a lot of fun playing in that waterway sandbox of debris.

The conditions for the entire paddle were great. Overcast skies and very little wind. We encountered porpoises on the way out and back. Heading back into Hogans Creek the shopping cart depth meter chart is showing a good 6" below the handlebar. These are the lowest Creek levels that I've ever seen.  Did anyone notice if the tire is still in the Mulberry Tree?

We identified a few more shopping carts that need to be removed. All in all this was one of the greatest paddles out of Hogans Creek that I've participated in. After the paddle we were all wondering how team Skile did that paddle from Dist.5 If team Skiles is involved bring your A game. The adventure to Exchange Club Island will be interesting. The perspective and the trip logistics with going with the current and against the current I know today has given all of us a moment to pause and see how everyone will have an opportunity to access, promote, preseve, and celebrate our St. Johns River our American Heritage River.

Who's next?



   

   

[Noone]

Great conditions this morning. Who wants to go and has a camera to post pictures for the new administration to see. 904-721-3321 lets Make it Happen. Special shoutout to JAXUSA and our Regional Partners. River Access will be Huge.

[Noone]

On Sunday July 17, 2011 visit a State Park and admission is free.....a PUBLIC/PRIVATE partnership.

On Sunday a man swam across the St. Johns River our American Heritage River and emerged at a county park.....a PUBLIC/PRIVATE partnership.

On Sunday an editorial by our new Mayor Alvin Brown in the Florida Times Union and his plan for the creation of the office of PUBLIC/PRIVATE Partnership.

So on Sunday I had the pleasure of embarking on a journey that should highlight the potential of the PUBLIC/PRIVATE partnership on our Waterway through our vibrant Downtown with the insightful North Miami and we are both ready to tell everyone to visit a destination known as Jacksonville's Front Porch....Southern Style.

In the spirit of the PUBLIC/PRIVATE partnership and our new Mayor Alvin Brown our trip began at the Winn Dixie Downtown and the purchase of adult beverages. PeeJayEss, I'm thinking about you man. We then went over to Washington and Beaver and with an incoming tide I showed NM this potential private launch location. Also I took the opportunity to make a few casts and we now had live bait for fishing. We then headed over to what could be a potential Public launch site and that is behind the Jacksonville Historical Society.

For the first time instead of using sit in kayaks we were using sit on tops. Both were ocean kayaks and had a few more bells and whistles then what we had used before. So with some adult beverages on ice and the cooler positioned securely behind NM we were off. We brought our fishing poles. I so much wanted to catch a fish.

We had an early start and with some overcast clouds we launched underneath the FDOT overpass and I briefly showed him the Green Heron nest in the oak tree that was a couple of hundred yards to our right. A bird flew from the tree as we approached but that was it. The two chicks that some of us had seen were now gone.

We headed out to the river and with the full moon, incoming tide, north winds, and the storm system off our coast the tides were very high. the shopping cart depth meter chart was a good 6" above the tires. In fact I had to paddle back just to point out the two wheels. We both touched our paddles to the wheels in the spirit of a great trip. The bicycle tire is still in the Mulberry tree. We continue on past the Maxwell House Plant.

Once in the river we are going with the current. There is a chop in the water and the decision to use the sit on tops is a good one. We are just floating and looking at all the potential that is around us. The wind is blowing and we finally are getting the coffee aroma from the Maxwell House plant as we are nearing the destination that should be known as Jacksonville's Front Porch.....Southern Style.

We approach the Hyatt parking lot the tide is so high that there is no way to explore that destination point. A brief shower is now greeting us. We continue on and pass by the Landing. The River taxi is leaving the Southbank and Friendship fountain is making for a panoramic backdrop.

We continue to float with the current. We are going under the railroad bridge and hear the train whistle and are now just waiting in the water for another stimulating experience to your senses that is captured from a vantage point just looking up as this massive mode of transportation is just rambling above you.

It's a bucket list activity to experience in a kayak Downtown.

After the train passes by it was now time to enter the tunnel of McCoys Creek under the Times Union.  We are still going with the incoming tide. Once we exit and enter the overgrown tree canopy the rookery is alive with birds. NM and I are really enjoying this part of the trip. With the high tide we are easily able to navigate all the way to the back where there is a pipe and there is no way to continue on. We spent a lot of time enjoying the trees and canopy. NM and I are just having so much fun.

When we finally exited the darkness of the TU and into the light of the river once again we are now continuing our journey on to Fishweir Creek Dist.14. We are still catching the end of the incoming tide. We are now floating by RAM and look at the new floating dock. We go under the Fuller Warren. We continue on towards Fishweir Creek.

We have now been on the water for hours. The tide is slowly starting to turn. The wind is still strong out of the north. Going into this trip I knew that NM had a lot of outdoor experience and had a confidence in his outdoor abilities. Heck, he brought his own seat and paddle.

We are going past the Cummer we round the bend and there is St. Vincents hospital. I don't know why but I'm thinking that Fishweir is right there. I shout out to NM :Where is the exit for Fishweir Creek? He points out to this white dot way in the distance. Great!

Conditions have changed. Not drastically but there is an elevated awareness now of the open river and the 1-2 foot continuous swells. We are now paddling against the current and these are a crossing swells I opt to hug the shore but getting to close is causing another change in the flow of the water. NM is out in the river and just enjoying the whole trip. I head back out and join him. we still have a long way to go. As we would approach a long dock if there was an opening to go under I opted for it instead of paddling around. About a 100 yards out I would start to paddle with the waves and follow it like a surfer. I never surfed but with the swells in the river I felt like I was learning fast.

Remember that commercial. Never let them see you sweat? NM every time I looked back he was right there and just gave me that inward spirit to truly embrace our time on the water and what we were capturing together. We finally made it to Fishweir (Thank God) and I can really appreciate the frustration that the residents have been experiencing for all these years with the siltation. we paddled in and I couldn't get over the size and the beauty of some of those cypress trees. Saw a snapping turtle poking his head out of the water and with the position of the sun you could see that it was probably about 12" across.

Who's next?

Anyone on the PUBLIC/PRIVATE Partnership team

Anyone with the Governors office. Any of the commissioners of FIND.

Jean Schubert

Anyone with the SJRWMD.

Anyone with the Jacksonville Waterways Commission

Any outside media outlet.

Any city council person.

Special invitation to our new Mayor Alvin Brown. Bring your sons. It would be my pleasure to share a Downtown Destination that you made happen.


 

   

[north miami]

Noone  Hogans  Creek Trifecta......rendered speech/word less............
More later


North Murami

PS

State Agency response to past Sunday Noone Hogans Creek Trifecta discovery of abandoned vessel  still at it.The Camps require back up,FWCC will next need to access  Railroad lands in the search for the craft .Jacksonville History 2011.Real world long established Urban Camps.River "Awareness". We ain't swimming across McCoys.

UWDZ established under Florida Times Union building Complez.Official

The end result will be the Envy of any Chamber of Commerce,but not just any Chamber can lay claim.

[Noone]

First you Crawl. Then you Paddle.

After my first Pub Crawl and talking to a lot of people about Hogans Creek and a combination of some plan changes I found myself this morning standing behind St. Lukes Hospital and the Casket factory showing Jerry Spinks with the Jacksonville Historical Society the abandoned welding project, railroad car light pole, or an early streetcar pole. Jerry was under the impression that it was an advertising pole for the casket factory. I'm sticking with the streetcar pole.

I was there to do more of a cleanup and to paddle the creek. Jerry and I each took some pics and hope that this structure will be properly identified. I had the hatchet out and was cleaning and expanding the base even beyond what Ricker and I had done weeks ago. Are you ready for this. There is another base below the other base. A circular base with then a square base.

It was great to see Jerry again. I told him that I was going to pile up some garbage and give Vivian Harrell with Keep Jacksonville Beautiful a call and get the pile of garbage picked up.

As for the Creek it was an incoming tide. I just wanted to paddle the creek and then call it a day. I started against the tide and headed to the Maxwell House plant. The shopping cart depth meter chart was showing the wheel a good 5" below the surface. Tire was still in the Mulberry tree. Going past one of the camps it was laundry day because the clothes line was full. Debris had again gathered and was floating in the usual spots.

The bird life was active when entering the pond of the Maxwell House plant there was a cormorant just catching and eating fish. I kept pushing him toward the mouth of the river. A plover was scouring the concrete banks. And as I was coming to the river an osprey with a fish in its talons was flying off its perch. Popped out into the river and it was a light chop. Turned around and now paddled back to Washington and Beaver. Going with the tide there are people walking and I was saying hello to the people who were standing on the bridges.

The creek was alive with activity. The herons were concentrated in the high flood grasses. What a relaxing paddle. Took it back to the FDOT underpass under Duval St. and there are some brand new survey stakes. I give up. Anybody knows whats going on?

What another fantastic trip.

Who's next?

   

[Noone]

Today making a scene,  an appearance, a difference, a splash, a mover, caring, issue driven, result oriented, shaker, active participant, and Downtown resident was tufsu1 and I exploring A Downtown Urban Waterway Destination that can be opened immediately if our elected legislative representatives truly want to market and really mean it when we say VISIT JACKSONVILLE!

We were scheduled to meet at 9 and at 9 he was there with his kayak and gear and ready to go. Thats props in my book. I love the enthusiasm. There are people that when you show a spot to there are numerous reasons and points of interest that you want to point out that can only elevate any future discussions and dialogue when a topic comes up for consideration that they are now more astute to the issue. For tufsu1 and I it was one of those trips.

It was an incoming tide and we could have easily put in at Washington and Beaver but opted to put in behind the old St. Lukes Hospital and next to the casket factory. As we were pulling in Jerry Spinks was edging the sidewalk and mowing the yard. The man is a machine. We got the kayaks out and walked by the yet unidentifiable abandoned welding project, railroad light pole, Casket factory advertising pole, or old street car trolley pole. I'm still going with the street car trolley pole.

We get the kayaks in and head with the tide up to Beaver and Washington. I point out the nest in the oak tree and a number of herons are moving out as we approach. Its a very relaxed paddle. At one point a heron drops a bomb as we were approaching a tree and just became aware of our presence.

We made our way all the way up to Washington and Beaver effortlessly. The camps although visible were empty of activity. The paddle back was still filled with floating debris everywhere. But it just seemed to not be an issue for us as we just enjoyed the peace and tranquility of this paddle on the water.

We continue on pass our entry point under the FDOT overpass and we are catching the last of the incoming tide. Still a very relaxed paddle. As we enter the Maxwell House property I point out the tire in the Mulberry tree and we paddled over the shopping cart depth meter chart and I can't say for sure that it was still there. I made the comment that we'll check it on the way back.

What was exciting about this paddle is that tufsu1 is a resident of Downtown and to share and point out the potential access points that he is not only seeing but so many others have as well.  This Urban Waterway can be opened right now.

As we are going through the Maxwell House Plant we are discussing a bunch of what ifs. tufsu1 had a bunch of good ones that could be tied into the Baseball Grounds. As we enter into the river the boat traffic is alive with activity.

On the way back as we approach the shopping cart depth meter chart it a high tide and I must admit that I didn't spend a lot of time looking for it. I'm hoping its still there then again it may have been removed. If it ever gets removed and it will someday I know it won't be by me. I know I've pulled out about 20. Anyway we continue on and its something that I know that I'll be back and at a low tide I'll be able to report for sure. Its like the baby heron's in the tree that some of us were able to share at least once.

When we get back to the launch site which is a piece of cake as you pull up on that sandy exposed beach. On a high tide its beautiful. We had done a very light cleanup and I'll always try and leave it cleaner than when we arrived. What a beautiful morning to share it with tufsu1.

Who's next?

Daniel O"Byrne
Paul Anderson
Tera Meeks
Kelly Boree
Steve Patterson
Terry Lorrince
Any Regional Partner
Anyone on the Civic Council
Any Commissioner of FIND
Anyone on the Jacksonville Waterways Commission
Any outside media outlet
Melissa Ross
David Chapman
Ron Littlepage
Neil Armingeon
Richard Nunn
Any TV station (Local or National)
Abel H- (Tell the big guy we can do Hogans, McCoy and the Pier) I hope your laughing!
Springfield-Where are You? 

     

[tufsu1]

I sure got an up close and personal view of Hogans Creek...thanks noone!

[iloveionia]

Noone:
Contact Steve Patterson at the Times Union.  He's great.  He's the one who wrote the article on mothballing and preservation sos that was on the front page recently.  If he hasn't gone already, I'd bet he'd go.  steve.patterson@jacksonville.com  Plus he would have heard you speak at the most recent council meeting as he was there.

[Noone]

It was my pleasure. Lets do it again soon.
Anybody else?
Will continue to be an awesome Downtown Urban Waterway Destination.
The world is plugged in.
Who's next?
Lets Make it Happen.

[Noone]

Nicole,
Steve Patterson is on board twice. He is ready to go and we just need to Make it Happen. Open invitation to you. I hope you will say yes on this forum. And I'll guarantee that I'll follow up with another MadamePK delight.   

[Noone]

Jacksonville!
Its Go TIME!

Its GO TIME to OPEN UP and USE THE RIVER.

Today is the first preseason game of the Jacksonville Jaguars at Everbank Field and today it was a preseason paddle to scope out, explore, experience, provide an analyst interpretation, current navigation, a visual walking of the field or in our case a paddle of the water as opposed to the grass. And assisting in this preseason to then possibly make recommendations to the coaches or the new mayor and administration was Tom Nickels an ACA American Canoe Association Level 4 Open Water Sea Kayak Instructor and a Level 3 BCU British Canoe Union instructor and me.

Tom was early and we met and put in at Hogans Creek behind the Jacksonville Historical Society. Upon arrival JSO was at the scene and I went up to share our plans with the officer and Jerry Spinks had arrived and with a wave to both we were off on another Downtown Urban Waterway Destination Adventure.

It was an outgoing tide and I pointed to the oak tree that was a real treat during the nesting season with the green heron. We checked it out on the way back. Going with the tide we went by the Shopping Cart Depth Meter chart and both wheels were a foot above the water. Man I was glad to see it. Because I didn't see it when tufsu1 and I went. The tire is still in the mulberry tree.

We make our way through the Maxwell House Plant and out into the River. Its an outgoing tide and so we are paddling against the current. To share the history and legislative domino's as to why our Downtown is the way it is creates a quagmire of answers and more questions why more people aren't being able to participate in an activity that we are having a blast doing right now.

We make our way past the Promised 680' Downtown Public Pier Dist. 4 Councilman Redman (Do Something)

The current isn't ripping as hard as it was when Field, Capt, and PeeJayEss made our way to the Hyatt parking lot but once we got there how cool was it to see this Downtown Destination. After the Hyatt on past the Landing. So many times we both felt that we had the whole river to ourselves. We did encounter one large barge being pushed by a tug and that was neat to watch from the river. Once it passed our spot in the river than the fountains of Friendship Fountain immediately provided another visual stimulation.

After the Landing and still going against the current we make it under the train tracks and are now heading under the Times Union which is McCoys Creek. The entire trip has been on a slick calm river with little wind and has made for s truly relaxed paddle. Upon entering the rookery I told Tom to just glide in and the rookery was alive with activity. There have been times when I've seen more birds but it was a captured period of time when there wasn't any other noise that you heard other than the activity that was occurring with the birds. We both felt that we captured that moment. With the low tide  fallen tree we couldn't venture back like NM and I did. In fact if I was with NM I wouldn't be writing this I'd still be out on the water (LOL.)

After exiting the cavernous darkness and emerging into the light we did a pause and a WOW and then headed over to River City Brewing. Still an outgoing tide and we made a good quick track over and once at the boat ramp we took a little break and then took it back to Hogans Creek. Going with the current we were there in no time. It was almost on cue but we reached a slack tide and upon heading into Hogans the tide had changed and when we reached the shopping cart depth meter chart one wheel was exposed and the 2ND was almost under water. We continued on all the way up to Beaver and Washington where the cleanup will take place Sat. Aug 20.

We exited where we began. It was an absolute pleasure to share this Downtown Urban Waterway Destination with a man who and I'm not going to put any words in his mouth but I believe was impressed.

Who is going to Make It Happen legislatively? 

[Noone]

Going to the Crawl. High tides in the AM. Anyone want to see one of the top 10 Urban Waterway Destinations in Jacksonville just pm me and we'll Make it Happen.

[Noone]

First you Crawl. Then you Paddle.

Today making a scene on the 2Nd most important Waterfront Public Access Point location on an Urban Waterway Destination within our Downtown Exchange Core District was me and Joe Lisska.

Joe was a participant in last weekends cleanup of Hogans Creek and the shout out post to kayak Hogans Creek  is what made it happen for us to share a unique trip that will continue to grow throughout this city and state as it relates to Public Access and Economic opportunity to our St. Johns River our American Heritage River.

Hurricane Irene is still tracking north but with a morning high tide and the obvious additional push of water into our river this was the highest tide that I've experienced.

Conditions were beautiful. Bright sunny skies and light breezes. The paddle out was relaxed and slow as we both commented on just a week ago we had left this area spotless but the floating debris was gathering again and will continue unless addressed and I believe as this city provides access and use to this waterway that it will get cleaned up.

The creek was calm and it was nice to see plenty of heron activity flying around us. As we made our way toward the river I point out all the parking that is on the southside of the creek. Joe is familiar with the potential launch site that is behind the casket company and old St. Lukes Hospital.

As we approach the shopping cart depth meter chart we don't even try to spot it. The tide is so high that you almost have to duck to get under the bridges. The tire is still in the mulberry tree. Parking lots are slightly flooded.

We make our way and go through the Maxwell House Plant. We pop out into the river and there is boat traffic just staring right at us. As we make our way back up to Washington and Beaver which was our start point are you ready for this. We see a jellyfish. The push of the water into the river is apparent.

It was a great trip and a pleasure to meet Joe.

Who's next?   

[Noone]

Anybody want to kayak Hogans Creek? PM me. We'll Make it Happen. OUR Waterways Downtown are a Destination and the opportunity to participate is ready to explode. Anyone want to join me in an ACA class the weekend of 9/17 and 18?