Monday, June 2, 2008

Charles Allen and his canoes love Dallas’s Trinity River

By Scott Guthrie

www.canoedallas.com

Egrets on Trinity River

DALLAS — Charles Allen, 51, is a veteran, a former 7-11 employee and has spent some time studying plants - but now he just hangs around the Trinity River.

Hold on though; don't jump to conclusions. Allen isn't walking parking lot-to-parking lot jiggling every car door handle. Instead, Allen started his own company, Trinity River Expeditions, giving guided canoe and kayak tours of the Trinity River.

"I've only got one rule one my canoe trips, and that's to make sure I come back alive," Allen said.

So far, so good. Allen has been casually cruising the Trinity River for 30 years now. Only 12 of those years have been recreational though. Trinity River Expeditions has been around for 18 years. And in anticipation of National Trails Day this weekend on June 7, you too should take time to visit the often bad-mouthed Trinity River.

Yes, the Trinity River has a bad reputation. In fact, after I went out on the river with Allen, many of my co-workers jokingly asked me if I saw any dead bodies. I didn't. Instead, the Trinity River offered an escape from the everyday congestion and urban life Dallas offers.

Allen rents canoes for $50 a piece. That price includes paddles and life jackets. However, that price doesn't include him. A guided tour will cost you 45 bucks a person. For first-timers, having Allen accompany you is the way to go.

As stated earlier, Allen has spent 30 years on the Trinity River. Whether canoeing or kayaking, Allen can stimulate your mind by providing a wealth of facts about the river.

Allen knows all the trees, fish and birds that call the Trinity River home and he has no problem pointing them out.

On my canoe trip Allen pointed out various types of snakes, Great Egrets, herons, Garfish and bass. After spending over half his life on the river, he sure knows what he is talking about and has a true passion for preserving the river.

Allen effortlessly guided our canoe from one side of the river to the other to point out different types of plants and to allow me to get a better look at a group of turtles and fish. He even stopped our canoe at one point to cut down and dispose of a homemade fish trap that was hanging from a tree branch.

The moral of the story is as enticing as that 47-inch plasma TV is, detach your hand from the remote and go spend some quality time outdoors.

In a world where we tend to tune out whatever is going on around us, a trip on the Trinity River will bring you back to a world many thought was only real in a Disney movie.

"Instead of tuning out, you can tune in. Out here you can look for miles without seeing a gate or fence. It's simply nature," Allen said.

Allen took me on the Elm Fork section of the river. This section is sandwiched between the L.B. Houston Nature Area, which is the oldest dedicated nature preserve in Dallas and spans for more than 400 acres, and Irving. I must admit, there was little current making the trip easy for any person, no matter what gender, age or nature experience - and the scenery was beautiful.

Granted we are talking about the Trinity River not the Amazon, a copy machine, muffler and shopping cart will appear here and there on the riverbank. There are also a few sections of the river that look like high school kids tried to have a party and left their $10.99 handle of Heaven Hill vodka behind when they bolted after seeing headlights in the distance.

Trust me though, despite these few blemishes on the banks, this is a truly wonderful trip and one any person can enjoy.

"Unlike a walking trail, you can bring a cooler and set it in the canoe and everyone can sit down and enjoy. Imagine trying to walk ten miles with a senior citizen and a cooler," Allen said.

Although you can load grandma up in the canoe, don't think you are Poseidon and can do whatever you please.

"Be careful but don't be afraid. We live in an environment made by humans for humans. This is aquatic. Give the river respect, you are dealing with a force of nature," Allen said.

However, that force of nature really seems to pose no immediate harm, at least on the Elm Fork section of the Trinity River. Allen and I floated for three hours with very little paddling. Pack a sandwich, some potato chips and load up the van and take time out of your hectic life to sit back and enjoy nature.

Just a reminder, National Trails Day is this Saturday, June 7, and the Trinity River, according to Allen, is really the last true section of wilderness in Dallas. Allen offers one more piece of advice though.

"If you really want to explore the river give me a call. I can take you on a section of the river that goes right past downtown, or I can take you to the most secluded parts of the river," Allen said.

Conclusion: get out and explore nature and see a bird besides the one that the guy you just cut off on the highway is giving you.

Related stories

• Attack Dallas by land, air and sea (July 11, 2008)
• River Legacy Park to open a section of the Trinity River to canoeists (June 8, 2008)

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• Kids / Family
• Parks and Trails
• Other Summer Sports