Canoe The Ozarks

Moving through a lively riffle… It’s about 5pm when we pull into a favorite campsite that we’ll call home for the next few days.  Little did we know that our first night here would be one of the most memorable nights on the river. With only the slightest chance of rain in the forecast, we […]

The highway J exit comes into view and my heart rate is ampin’ as I’m rampin’ up this favorite EXIT to another world. Take me to the river…wash me in the waters, of the Big Piney River… As mentioned in a previous post, I have already canceled three float trips this year due to a […]

It’s sixteen days past the summer solstice before I finally hear the first song of a Cicada.  And up until about a week ago, my backyard had been mostly devoid of my favorite or any kind of insect sounds. Last year, the demon drought, this year, the wettest spring I can remember in quite some […]

When the Bluebells drip Swallowtails And the sun peeks through the trees You understand the Bottomlands become Fairylands Sorcery in seclusion just above the river So conjure the time for this April portal call This temporal beauty transforms, Delivers ___________________________________________________________________________ Or better yet, find a little creek that wanders back into the woods.  Park your […]

Under a large flat rock in an Ozark stream Dwells an ancient aquatic sentinel With a Gaia messenger scheme Calling all good earthly stewards Protect these precious waters Please the fish, the frog, the turtle and the toad Let the mystery of this peculiar amphibian, continue to unfold _________________________________________________________ He goes by many names:  Snot […]

Floating in September has blossomed into one of my favorite times to be on the river. The greens of summer still linger while there’s a surprising display of colors from a cast of late bloomers that are flourishing in brilliance all along the river- just before the fall. Yet the crisper hints of autumn are […]

The mercury is pushing 99 as we put in on the Piney some time before one. We’re slathered up in sunblock, tee shirts on, and keeping the water bottles close as we embark upon the hottest summer float trip – ever. And despite the demon drought, this lower section of the Big Piney River will […]

The heartland of America is facing the worst drought since 1956 and it’s only getting worse.  And here in my home state of Missouri(at the moment aptly named; from the French word Misere, meaning “misery), most or all counties experienced the hottest and driest July in history.   The creeks are dry.  Ponds have evaporated.  […]

It’s early afternoon as we arrive at our put in site at Baptist Camp access by the new bridge.  There’s a small yet striking little bluff that overlooks a good sized pool that’s just a little upstream from the bridge.  This place has all the attributes of a favorite local swimming destination.  And sure enough, […]

It’s April 5th and I’m a little wary of the weather forecast for a scheduled float trip on the Big Piney, April 9 – 11.  The daytime temps are seasonally ideal in the 65 to 70 range; but the night time temps are going to plunge to a possible low of 36. Ooooowie!  That’s a […]