Canoe The Ozarks

As mentioned in previous posts, my cousin and I always plan on some kind of wintertime getaway to break the spell of “home cabin” fever.  Our winter getaway usually includes an afternoon hike and spending the night in a cabin that’s near or by a river. If it’s late winter and the temperatures are fair, […]

Dusk finally fades into darkness.  Night has fallen on the river and on all of its inhabitants.  And tonight, that includes a couple of visitors. They come well equipped to light up the darkness and celebrate the night. The kindling is kind as it sparks to flame;  the roar of fire is soon a sweet […]

After relaxing in the waters of Shanghai Spring, we feel rejuvenation and a reluctance roused by reverence as we slowly paddle away from this spellbinding spring. It’s mid afternoon and the hot August sun is still high as we squeeze in a little more fishing time and take a few breaks for swimming. This whole […]

The River Gods are still smiling as we wake up to a morning sun that invokes a certain promise of fair weather all day. I’m already jazzed to get on the river, although we don’t move that fast in the morning.  After some fire toasted bagels with chive cheese spread and some gravel bar coffee, […]

It’s August 12 and a customer is asking me a question that is very slowly penetrating my wish scheming daydreamin’ state of consciousness.  The next moment finds me abruptly cognizant and agitated that  “I’m NOT on the river anymore!” I must have been “Piney dreamin’.”  It’s a condition that has no cure nor does it […]

After lunch, we spent most of the afternoon snorkeling just above the riffles, sitting in the riffles, and taking frequent plunges in the churning pool just below the riffles. Wash me in the clear cool waters… This is a water world paradise that will energize us all afternoon.  And it’s all right here at our […]

Last September we were floating the beautiful Buffalo River when we discovered what is now one of our favorite campsites on any river. (Check my earlier post “Best Campsite on the Buffalo” under ” campsites”  on the right side/menu) We enjoyed it so much we vowed to return the next year.  Well, we kept our […]

It’s the night before the Summer Solstice and I’ve been lounging on the little deck.  The Lightning Bugs are out in force tonight and I’ve got a great seat for this amazing light show. Their lights are streaking and tracing against a dark curtain of trees that flourish along both sides of the little Ozark […]

Oh Mamma Maia, daughter of Atlas(Gr), Roman Goddess of fertility, your name lends well to my favorite page on the calendar(Maius/Latin)! This transitional month finds me still reveling in the resurrection of life along the river and excited by its unerring promise of summer.  This second wave of spring is composing the lushest and greenest […]

The commencement of spring on the river also welcomes new arrivals of many songbirds. These merry messengers have traveled a great distance to sing their spirited songs that soar from the Maker’s code. Some of the earliest arrivals include:  Woodthrush; Swallows; Indigo Buntings; Phoebes(here long before April).  And four different Warblers:  Yellow-throated; Parula; Black & […]