BAYOU DES ARC TRIP SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 2012

[CAPTAIN ALEVE]

We are guessing that Bayou Des Arc will be runnable still on Saturday. The radar shows about 4 inches of rain fell on it last night. Planning to paddle 6 miles of this fast moving Class II-II+ creek near Romance. If the water is too low for the top 2 miles, we will paddle the lower 4. It's been at least 10 years since I paddled there; there was one or two willow jungles that we walked. There's a few nice rapids that are pretty straight shots, a lot of narrow sections where maneuvering around trees will be required, and about a mile of lake to paddle just before the take-out. As best I recall the gradient is about 40 feet per mile and there is some nice scenery.

Three or four going so far. Meet us at the Exxon on Hwy. 65 north of I-40 in Conway (next to the Market Place restaurant) at 9:00 a.m. or be at the post office in Romance at 9:30 (we'll look for paddlers as we pass by) or at the Lake Barnett parking lot after that and wait for us. Should be a fun trip.

I'll check back here after 7:30 p.m. tonight and also in the a.m. This is going to be my first outing since my back has started behaving again.

Captain Aleve, alias Mike Coogan

[Cerealcity]

Have they finished the Bridge on Romance Rd. I am in Beebe and am excited about getting to paddle the creek. I paddle lake Barnett fairly often and paddle back to the creek . I will be at the post office in Romance to meet up with you. Tim

[CAPTAIN ALEVE]

Haven't been in the area recently and didn't know about the new bridge. Progress! Don't give up on us if we are late getting by the post office.

Captain Aleve, alias Mike Coogan

[CAPTAIN ALEVE]

Tim, let me have your cell # so I can let you know if the plans change.

Are you paddling a whitewater boat?

Captain Aleve, alias Mike Coogan

[Chester]

Exxon at 0900

[Cerealcity]

my cell is 50one 2eighty eight 3316 see you. Tim

[Chester]

Great day on two sections of Bayou Des Arc, primo water level, wildlife, and video a humming. Afterwards, it was fajitas and margaritas!
The new bridge is not finished.

[CAPTAIN ALEVE]

Tim,

I think you made the right decision to head to the Cadron rather than try to wiggle your long, straight boat through this tight creek. It demanded a lot of maneuvering (pretty well wore me out), but it wasn't intimidating. It's a great Class II-II+ trip with good scenery. I'm working on the video and will get a copy to you later or post the highlights on Youtube.

Captain Aleve, alias Mike Coogan