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 […]

The wild and wonderful Eleven Point River rolls through the forested hills of the Mark Twain National Forest in the southern part of the Missouri Ozarks. Back in 1968, Congress designated 44 miles of the Eleven Point(Thomasville, MO to Hwy 142 bridge) as part of the “National Wild and Scenic River System.”  It truly is […]

Our first night campsite might be the best one I have ever experienced on any Ozark River.  It was beautifully elevated above the river like a little plateau. And it offered a wonderful, commanding view down stream. We had picturesque bluffs to our left. And on the front side, we had our campsite aimed toward […]

Floating from Gilbert to Buffalo Point(approx. 20 miles) turned out to be a very scenic stretch of the river. Rocky bluffs and wooded slopes were a constant companion as they hemmed our way down stream.  The contours of hills and hollers fold into each other endlessly as I gaze still farther down stream.  I almost […]