Mulberry Clean Up Day - Saturday March 3!!!

[GN YAKN]

Mr. McElroy is still up and about. Not sure if he still drives himself but I recently saw him at the grocery store and he was still pretty spry! He was holding court with a small group of young school girls, probably telling them stories.

In recent years he has been known to offer paddlers paddling advice and been helpful to folks. If you've got time to visit with him he loves to tell stories about life in the Valley and all about the Confederate grave yards spread around the hills.

He's gettin on in years and has had numerous health challenges that have taken a toll on him. Best advice I've got is don't use the low-water bridge as an access and try to pass through his area without stopping. If you do encounter him just be nice be ready to move along.

If you catch him in a neighborly mood and you've got time to spend with an old guy it will make his day to have an audience. :myday"

edit: Just saw hfunkhouser's post. He nailed it! Spend the time if you can and make somebodies day but be prepared, he loves an audience! Kind of ironic end to an old story....considering how rough it used to be to run into Bill.

[okieboater]

Dave,

Thanks for the information. Good to know he is not stressing himself to the max.

dave reid

[Cowper]

My ability to join will probably be determined by how late I have to work Friday / Friday night. I'm still hoping I can make it.

Sounds like the refrigerator is a temptation I should avoid...

How many of you are:
1) Cleaning accesses and roads only, vs.
2) Going down the river?

[Half Ton]

This is still my fave of all creek cleanups!

I plan to hit ditches as they contain a lot of trash fro litterbugs that gets washed into streams as depicted in this podcast

http://www.uaex.edu/washington/podcast/ ... unoff.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[nathan richard]

i'd really like to float down from turner bend and clean up along the way, but i'm not sure that's a real need.

so we're just going to camp at turner bend friday night and check in with them saturday morning to see what needs to be done.

[Dr. Steve Yaney]

Randy and I are paddling. If we are claiming sections.......my favorite is Redding to TB. We are both taking Dagger 13' Catalyst for increased load capacity. I am willing to loan a 9' and 10' Dagger Approach to anyone for them to haul more trash also!

[wet 2 woody]

Looking to paddle and participate on the Mulberry clean-up...Have not paddled on the mulberry in 20yrs but I was hoping for the level to bump up a bit. The Turner Bend info (gauge level) say's 2.1 ' AW says 1.75' i realize the gauge is quite a ways downstream.... I'm curious about when does it REALLY get boney for the different sections. may come with a couple of others...perhaps one that's never been on an AR stream ...so NOT wanting to drag boats on a hiking paddle...Our chances for rain seem to be dwindling away and a 9am "check-in" might be pushing it. Any input is appreciated. If we decide to camp at TB SHOULD WE RESERVE a cap site on Friday???

Gracias!

[GN YAKN]

You might have to jump out and push over some rocks occassionally but it won't be a hike fest. If you don't have good water booties, old tennis shoes work pertty well.

I would try to do a very short section no more than 4 miles or so. Perhaps Byrd's to Redding or Turner Bend to Big Eddy or something like that.

No need to RSVP at Turner Bend, I wuldunt thank. I don't suspect their campground will fill up this weekend. But call them if you're nervouse. I"m sure they would love to hold you a spot. 479-667-3641.

Check in with Brad in the store on Saturday AM to see what sections need coverage. He logs in where people are picking so he can track what sections are picked and which ones will need more love later.

[iYak]

I think maybe they readjusted the gauge on the lower end on Tuesday: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv/?site_no=07252000" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
There is a little red asterisk on Tuesdays reading where it jumped down apparently from a measured reading (onsite re-calibration I assume).
2.1 is a good low level, shouldn't have to get out at all carrying a normal load. Now if you have a couple of people and a large dog, big cooler of beer, and you pick up a refrigerator full of gravel and a bunch of old tires, you might hit a few rocks.

[summerbee]

Hey Dave,
Where ya gonna be in the morning? I may show up and do some moutain bike riding in the afternoon.
Tammy Graham

[GN YAKN]

At this point I think our plan will be to rally around 9:00 in the morning and hit the Mill Creek access down here on the lower end. Will head North and hit Hurricane Creek, Campbell's and Milton Ford access points on the way to T Bend arriving in time to chill with everyone in the Valley of Love.

Some folks are talking about staying over Saturday night and camping. No organized activities at this point that I'm aware of but spontaneity is a good thang.

I'll probably rise early on Sunday for a hike over in northern Johnson County.

Might just throw in the bike if I've got room and maybe ride Saturday afternoon. Sounds fun. We've got a loop around John Turner creek that ends up in Cass. Has a bunch of good down hill in it!

Dave

[summerbee]

Sounds like a plan. I have a particular road I want to explore on my bike. I am not up to kick butt condition as foot surgery slowed things down a bit. I may head up to Oark/Catalpha for a meal and pie at some point.
Tammy

[kru1]

I'm in along with Liz. Bringing the canoe or trash barge. We'll hit whatever section needs to be done. Won't get to the Bend until 11. Plan on camping Saturday evening.

kru

[zthomas]

A few photos from Saturday, Big Eddy to Milton's, with KRU1, Bulldog Nelson, and others we met along the way: http://s1114.photobucket.com/albums/k52 ... %20030312/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[prophet]

thanks to all the trash pickers and Turner Bend for hosting