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TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS

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WATER TRAIL SPOTLIGHT

Bayou Teche

St. Mary Parish, Louisiana

Bayou Teche

Trail Highlights

Our favorite thing about this trail is its rich cultural significance. The 135-mile trail runs through the heart of Acadiana and was the Mississippi River’s main course when it developed a delta about 2,800 to 4,500 years ago. Two major Native American tribes, the Chitimacha and the Attakapas, lived along the banks of the Teche for thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans. Bayou Teche was the primary means of transportation during the Acadian migration, and saw fighting on its waters in 1862 during the American Civil War.  Bayou Teche was added to the National Water Trail System in 2015 as the 17th water trail in the country and the first in Louisiana.

While on the water, keep an eye out for great live oaks draped in Spanish moss that provide evidence of where small Acadian plantations once operated. Birdwatchers will see wood ducks, herons, kingfishers, and warblers along the entire stretch of Bayou Teche, and paddlers who bring their fishing poles can fish for catfish, sac-au-lait (crappie), and bream (blue gill). Each town along the Teche offers its own personality and experiences that include architecture, agriculture, foodways, music, and arts.
Each year, The Teche Project hosts a Shake Your Trail Feather Festival to paddle the bayou and enjoy a cultural and musical celebration. Bayou Teche access points can be found at https://www.techeproject.org/bayou-teche-paddle-trail/dock-locations/.
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PaddleTheGulfPaddleTheGulf@PaddleTheGulf·
28 Jul

Paddle the Gulf has a new trail highlighted, check it out! https://paddlethegulf.org/basics/trail-highlights/

Also look for new events on the calendar, https://paddlethegulf.org/calendar/

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PaddleTheGulfPaddleTheGulf@PaddleTheGulf·
19 May

Check this out! New events have been added to our calendar, https://paddlethegulf.org/calendar/

Add your own event or your favorite trail. Submit requests through our website, https://paddlethegulf.org/

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PaddleTheGulfPaddleTheGulf@PaddleTheGulf·
19 Jan

Paddle the Gulf has a new trail highlight on our webpage, https://paddlethegulf.org/basics/trail-highlights/

While on the webpage, be sure and check out the events calendar. New events have been added for February and March, including one for the trail highlight on March 27.

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PaddleTheGulfPaddleTheGulf@PaddleTheGulf·
4 Jan

Smithsonian Magazine recognized Paddle the Gulf as one of 24 ways to turn outdoor passions into citizen science. Get outside in the new year for some fresh air and new adventures! #paddlethegulf #adventurewithapurpose #paddlingadventures

http://ow.ly/7tSM50CZLZG

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PaddleTheGulfPaddleTheGulf@PaddleTheGulf·
16 Dec

3 minute brain break! Explore the cypress swamps of Louisiana with our partners @cwppra in Lake Fausse Pointe State Park. #paddlethegulf #adventurewithapurpose #paddlingadventures #CWPPRAat30

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QKSBjx5fLI&t=63s

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