Out of Towner Looking to Get on The Water

[upstate_paddler]

I was planning on driving over to NW Arkansas to visit relatives with boats loaded up and ready to go. However, I took a plane instead and now I am stuck here on this very wet weekend without any boats or anyone to paddle with.

I love creek boating and play boating and am comfortable in most class IV and some class V stuff. I am looking to meet up with someone who has extra gear for someone else and wants to show an out of towner what NW arkansas has to paddle.

I would be more than happy to return the favor whenever you all come back east and want to paddle the Green, the Smokies, or any other steep creeks in western NC or TN.

I would also love to take my father canoeing on some easy and scenic class II-III this weekend as well. Anyone have any ideas for outfitters we should look at?

Please HELP. I am itching to get out on the water. My paddling friends out east were like, "What do you mean? You are leaving this week, EVERYTHING is running!"

John

Please post a reply with your phone number and I will call you. (I will be checking this board throughout the day) Or you can call my work cell phone number at Eight-Six-Four 650-7430.

[turboturtle]

John, I know it's still quit a drive from where you are but the Cossatot River is up enough for some good paddling. Theirs a bunch of folks going to help sponsor and float with a group of first timers. The weather is looking better and with water there, it's going to be a Tupperware party fo sho!

The Tot Is just south of Mena in the western central portion of the state. I'm sure their will be some from your area going, but catching up with might prove a little more difficult. This river would be one of the best you could run while your here. if it rains some more, some of the smallies will creep back to life. If your there and it rains, some of the tots feeders become the choice of the day. There's nothing over there that would/should be over your head.

If I go to the Tot, I could bring an extra boat and gear, but I have many things that should keep me close to home. But I am a water head, so theirs no telling.
The weather ought to be right for a full moon float on the tot this weekend. that would be a feather in either of our hats.

It would be a sad thing not to paddle here, especially since its rare the tot is at its current level this time of year.
Good luck, and I will check back later to see what your plans are.

Bob

[prophet]

the Mulberry or Buffalo would be a good option on the rental float, rivers should be at maximum for rental levels this weekend. cant go wrong either place.

[upstate_paddler]

I am going to be taking my dad to the Mulberry tomorrow. Would love to sneak some stepper stuff in tomorrow afternoon, Anything around the Mulberry. Anyone headed that way?

-John

[turboturtle]

Tough call on who's whereabouts on paddling tomorrow. If you go to the Mulberry, Byrds Adventure Center is manned by one of the local decked boating aficionado's. It could be possible to stir Zen into doing a more critical creek around there if it rains some more tonight. Give em a holla at 479.667.4066. They rent canoes and run shuttles on the river and to hikers visiting the area, and so much more. It's a haven for the Rockcrawlers 4x4 club and their well known yearly competition near the end of October. Zen also fly's ultralights and now an even cooler old school cult-ish plane, which is most sweet looking.

See here: http://www.byrdsadventurecenter.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Tell em a waterhed referred you

Bob Hoffman