Richland on Monday, 12/29

[Ryans_Brother]

I'm leaving Little Rock tomorrow morning at 7am. We're looking to get to the put-in between 10 and 10:30.

If you want to carpool or caravan, give me a call before midnight tonight: five oh one nine one too ate too three ate.

-Rick

[Cowper]

Got your text message - at this point, there is a 10% chance I will have to go to work tomorrow, but IF NOT, I will leave Conway in time to be at the put-in by 10.

What is your shuttle situation -
IF you have enough folks / cars, I might try to ride up with you from Conway Exxon.
IF you do NOT have enough, I could drive my truck up...

[RandyJ]

I'm over here fishing for another Okie or two to bring - no takers yet. Could come by way of F'ville if anyone over there's game. Holler back quick - it'll take an early start...

Randy
Tulsa

[Ryans_Brother]

Cowper,
We should be able to drive together since we're meeting Sammie Wellborn who is driving from NWA. We'll have two rigs for shuttle purposes. I'm meeting my Dad in Atkins. I'm fine driving my Taurus (the newer model that sits higher). If you have concerns about the Taurus, we could take yours.

If you want to meet in Conway, post here, call me or text me before midnight tonight.

-Rick

[RandyJ]

Last call from T-Town or NWA. Call by 11pm -
91 eight
eight 12
2596

[Ryan Center]

Well, Merry Freaking Christmas! I fell like Scrooge, because everyone got to go boating this weekend and I had to go to family gatherings all weekend. Now I find out my Brother and Dad are going to Richland tomorrow and I have to work, BAH HUM BUG!

[RandyJ]

Leaving solo from Tulsa. Should be to put-in 0930-1000 hours.

cell #
91 eight
eight 12
2596

[Cowper]

Rick,
Change in plans - with the lost paddler, I'm still going, but going to drive separate unless we hear he has been found before 8 AM. I'll still want to float with you guys, but I want some more flexibility to help drive the local roads and/or hike to help look if that is needed.

[Ryans_Brother]

ok...we'll be available to help with the search, too....leaving the rock now...rick

[Cowper]

For anyone not yet on the road - Oglesby is making an early run down the creek, probably got on shortly after sunrise. The "staging area" for NCS&R is apparently going to be the Ben Hur church - I plan to drop by there on the way to the river to see if there is anything specific we can do to help. I suspect they will have the land-based portion of the search well covered; I heard they have horses and ATV's, so they should be able to cover more ground than any of us could on foot.
Heading out...

[Renee H]

Well, Merry Freaking Christmas! I fell like Scrooge, because everyone got to go boating this weekend and I had to go to family gatherings all weekend. Now I find out my Brother and Dad are going to Richland tomorrow and I have to work, BAH HUM BUG!

You are not alone - we were in Shreveport and Houston all weekend and driving back as everyone paddled. Had to work today too so no boating

On another note, I hope the missing paddler has been found.

[canoe]

Paddler found, all is well. Dale

[Clif]

Great..... now I can gripe too. Like Renee, we were in or on the road from Lake Charles, LA instead of out in it. You are welcome everyone....typed from work.

[RandyJ]

How low can you go??? Ha ha, 18" airspace at put-in, which makes for a real bony run, but still a great day on Richland. Missing boater walked out in good condition, his lost paddle retrieved by Cowper out from under Roadblock, "Big Hand" Billy W then paddled the rest of the way with two paddles (wow), and it was a warm sunny day. After a house-full of Christmas company all weekend, it was some fine hydrotherapy!

[Ryans_Brother]

I'll start off by saying I had a great day on Richland paddling with my Dad and new & old friends.

For those of you who asked for an update...I did need stitches, but it had been too long after the injury to close the wound. When wound is open for more than 3 to 6 hours, the bacteria count in the wound gets too high. It had been more than 6 hours when I finally saw a doctor and the wound was on my hand (one of the locations most prone to infections). They just dressed it with gauze and tape and gave me perscription for antibiotics.

The nurses who prep'ed me for the doctor were suprised the injury happened in the wilderness based how clean it was. Thanks to Cowper, Cory and Billy for the first aid and using supplies out of your medical kits. Your good work did not go unnoticed by healthcare professionals.

For those of you who are wondering what happened, I cut my hand badly at the bottom of Maytag. I was going to the left of the big rock that is left of center at the very end of the rapid. I was too close to the rock, and as I was passing by it, the current pushed me into the rock. The part of the rock that touched my hand must have been very sharp, and it cut me fairly deep. We put some gauze and tape on it, and I put on my gloves and paddled the rest of the way out. It was not painful; it was more of an inconvenience than anything else.

Lessons Learned:
1. I will always wear my gloves when I'm on a Richland or similar creek, even it don't need them for warmth.
2. If I think I need stitches, I'll go immediately to the doctor...before I go home. I should have sought emergent care in Russellville or Conway so my cut would heal more quickly.