buffalo float Friday 7/31
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mohawklady
- ..
- Posts: 148
- Joined: Fri Nov 30, 2007 9:06 am
- Name: pam ellwood
- Location: little rock
buffalo float Friday 7/31
I will be doing a day float on Friday with some ladies from Texas. Going to go from hwy 14 to Rush, meeting at hwy 14 10AM. If anyone is interested in going and doing the shuttle with us, let me know...Pam Ellwood
Re: buffalo float Friday 7/31
Drat. 
Sure would love to come along, but am at last moving hubby to Jasper with me Friday. Enjoy.
Gerry
Sure would love to come along, but am at last moving hubby to Jasper with me Friday. Enjoy. Gerry
Re: buffalo float Friday 7/31
This was my first opportunity to use a computer since the scheduled float. I wrote my reply once and it seemed to log me out and not post, so here goes again.
The bad news is I missed the 10:00 am meeting with Pam; the good news is I got to float the Buffalo.
I left Mountain View at 8:00 am and stopped to verify my directions to get to Hwy 14. Unfortunately, the folks I asked had me heading South instead of North. I kept asking my cohorts why the rising sun was on my left. They said it was due to the winding mountain roads. OK. Quit laughing. At the time, it made sense.
I crossed the bridge and couldn't find Wild Bill's Outfitters. Stopped to ask at a small store. We were in the wrong town, on the wrong bridge, at the wrong river, on the right highway. Batesville on the White River. It would be a 2.5-3 hour drive to get to where we were supposed to be.
Mary's cell phone number I had given Pam would not get service; AJ's phone connected, but Pam's phone was turned off or out of range; Wild Bill's did not have time to go outside and deliver any messages. While they were dialing all these numbers, I was learning new skills in how to take the mountain curves without braking. Not to worry. I wasn't totally wild; only going faster trying to get back than I was coming.
Needless to say, Pam was gone by the time we got there. And, thank goodness. The entire time, I was sending her vibes to go out on the river and enjoy the day versus sitting in the parking lot waiting for us.
Once there, we rented a canoe and a kayak. Mary and AJ were nervous. As first time paddlers, they were counting on having our new friends in the boat with them. My encouragements of "You can do this" were not inspiring them to greatness.
We got dropped off at something Springs and floated down to the Bridge. An easy 3-4 hour float since we had arrived so late. The girls spun in a few circles, floated sideways once or twice, and then they got the hang of it. We had a delightful time -splashing, hooting, laughing, looking, and floating.
One good thing about doing the float late in the day is that you have the river to yourself. We saw one raft and 3 kayaks. That was it.
The bluffs were outstanding. We have a similar river feature in a different part of Texas. Where I live is called the Piney Woods region and it is very flat. The largest rock I get to see is a river pebble. Hence, every time we saw a bluff, I had to point and say Wow and paddle closer.
I was in the kayak and had a damsel fly escort all the way down the river. Every time I would stop paddling to drift awhile, 5-6 damsel flies would light on the bow. What a great opportunity to observe them up close.
Other wildlife sightings included a huge swarm of swallowtail butterflies, a hawk, and what I think was a night heron. I looked on the sandy banks for small mammal tracks, but I guess the rain had washed them away.
Due to the rain, the silt was stirred up. It made Mary and AJ think the water was dirty and they wouldn't swim. It didn't stop me from jumping in. The day was slightly overcast which kept us at a comfortable temp.
Our float was wonderful. With Pam there, it would have been fantastic.
The weather the entire week had been amazing. I was planning for upper 90's and every time we were out doors it was warm, but very comfortable.
After the float we had dinner at the restaurant at Buffalo Point State Park. The owner called around and found us a cabin to rent for the night. The next morning we watched the Buffalo River video at the Park's visitor center. It made us want to come back and spend a whole week exploring the river.
Our vacation was an Arkansas sampler -Bath House Row, Quartz Mine, Blanchard Cavern, Ozark Folk Center workshop, music on the square at Mountain View, Buffalo River float, Scenic Byway 7. As much as we loved seeing the sights, we truly enjoyed the friendly people.
I want you to know that because of your encouragement and instruction, I was confident to take myself and 2 newbies down an unknown waterway. My sincere thanks to your entire group.
A bonus. The Ranger at Buffalo Point gave me some ideas on how I can raise the conservation awareness for the section of the San Jacinto River that is in my neighborhood.
When I come back your way, I'll trust my own sense of direction and meet you on the Buffalo (on time).
---Ash
p.s. Congratulations to Richard
The bad news is I missed the 10:00 am meeting with Pam; the good news is I got to float the Buffalo.
I left Mountain View at 8:00 am and stopped to verify my directions to get to Hwy 14. Unfortunately, the folks I asked had me heading South instead of North. I kept asking my cohorts why the rising sun was on my left. They said it was due to the winding mountain roads. OK. Quit laughing. At the time, it made sense.
I crossed the bridge and couldn't find Wild Bill's Outfitters. Stopped to ask at a small store. We were in the wrong town, on the wrong bridge, at the wrong river, on the right highway. Batesville on the White River. It would be a 2.5-3 hour drive to get to where we were supposed to be.
Mary's cell phone number I had given Pam would not get service; AJ's phone connected, but Pam's phone was turned off or out of range; Wild Bill's did not have time to go outside and deliver any messages. While they were dialing all these numbers, I was learning new skills in how to take the mountain curves without braking. Not to worry. I wasn't totally wild; only going faster trying to get back than I was coming.
Needless to say, Pam was gone by the time we got there. And, thank goodness. The entire time, I was sending her vibes to go out on the river and enjoy the day versus sitting in the parking lot waiting for us.
Once there, we rented a canoe and a kayak. Mary and AJ were nervous. As first time paddlers, they were counting on having our new friends in the boat with them. My encouragements of "You can do this" were not inspiring them to greatness.
We got dropped off at something Springs and floated down to the Bridge. An easy 3-4 hour float since we had arrived so late. The girls spun in a few circles, floated sideways once or twice, and then they got the hang of it. We had a delightful time -splashing, hooting, laughing, looking, and floating.
One good thing about doing the float late in the day is that you have the river to yourself. We saw one raft and 3 kayaks. That was it.
The bluffs were outstanding. We have a similar river feature in a different part of Texas. Where I live is called the Piney Woods region and it is very flat. The largest rock I get to see is a river pebble. Hence, every time we saw a bluff, I had to point and say Wow and paddle closer.
I was in the kayak and had a damsel fly escort all the way down the river. Every time I would stop paddling to drift awhile, 5-6 damsel flies would light on the bow. What a great opportunity to observe them up close.
Other wildlife sightings included a huge swarm of swallowtail butterflies, a hawk, and what I think was a night heron. I looked on the sandy banks for small mammal tracks, but I guess the rain had washed them away.
Due to the rain, the silt was stirred up. It made Mary and AJ think the water was dirty and they wouldn't swim. It didn't stop me from jumping in. The day was slightly overcast which kept us at a comfortable temp.
Our float was wonderful. With Pam there, it would have been fantastic.
The weather the entire week had been amazing. I was planning for upper 90's and every time we were out doors it was warm, but very comfortable.
After the float we had dinner at the restaurant at Buffalo Point State Park. The owner called around and found us a cabin to rent for the night. The next morning we watched the Buffalo River video at the Park's visitor center. It made us want to come back and spend a whole week exploring the river.
Our vacation was an Arkansas sampler -Bath House Row, Quartz Mine, Blanchard Cavern, Ozark Folk Center workshop, music on the square at Mountain View, Buffalo River float, Scenic Byway 7. As much as we loved seeing the sights, we truly enjoyed the friendly people.
I want you to know that because of your encouragement and instruction, I was confident to take myself and 2 newbies down an unknown waterway. My sincere thanks to your entire group.
A bonus. The Ranger at Buffalo Point gave me some ideas on how I can raise the conservation awareness for the section of the San Jacinto River that is in my neighborhood.
When I come back your way, I'll trust my own sense of direction and meet you on the Buffalo (on time).
---Ash
p.s. Congratulations to Richard
Re: buffalo float Friday 7/31
Glad all ended well. Most Buffy trips do.
Hey, cher
where you from in texas?
signed,
used to live in lake Charles and motorcycled and jeeped all over Sam Rayburn and Toledo Bend area
Hey, cher
where you from in texas?
signed,
used to live in lake Charles and motorcycled and jeeped all over Sam Rayburn and Toledo Bend area
You sure this is on the right channel?
Re: buffalo float Friday 7/31
Ash . . . you will all have to come back. The section you floated was four miles. Spring Creek to Hwy 14 bridge. When you mentioned newbies spinning that was most likely just after Water Creek on your left. The river makes a sharp left turn at Kimball Bluff which creates an eddie that will spin you if you are not familiar with river dynamics. On a day when there is lots of traffic its fun to stop at the gravel bar on the left and watch people negotiate that left turn. Some hit the base of the cliff, others spin in the eddie and some flip as their canoe crosses the eddy line. Of course if they flip and its a gal in the front and a guy in the back, its always the girls fault. The more inexperienced the guy is, the more it becomes her fault. Its just a rule of the river.
You also need to see the river when the rain silt settles out. It takes about two days. It is crystal clear. Absolutely beautiful.
You also need to see the river when the rain silt settles out. It takes about two days. It is crystal clear. Absolutely beautiful.
We are all afflicted with Cognitive Dissonance. The greater our religious, social, financial or political affiliation, the greater the affliction. We hear what we want to hear. We believe what we want to believe. Truth becomes irrelevant.
Re: buffalo float Friday 7/31
It might take me awhile, but I would absolutely love to come back. I hadn't been anywhere for about 10 years. So. I took my whole piggy bank this year and traveled like a wild child -Costa Rica, Yellowstone NP, and the Great Girls Getaway to Arkansas.
Someday maybe I can get back to see the clear water, have Richard tell me about the geology, and have Pam teach me how to maneuver the ripples and rapids. And, give you guys a few good laughs as I learn about currents.
It was so easy with the low water. I could even paddle back up river to go back and look at things.
AJ is from Vancouver, Canada; Mary is from Willis, TX (prior Philadelphia and W. Virginia resident), and I am now in Conroe north of Houston. Mary said she felt like she was home in Virginia when we went through the hills. We all want to come back. They said the river was their favorite thing I planned for them to do.
Someday maybe I can get back to see the clear water, have Richard tell me about the geology, and have Pam teach me how to maneuver the ripples and rapids. And, give you guys a few good laughs as I learn about currents.
It was so easy with the low water. I could even paddle back up river to go back and look at things.
AJ is from Vancouver, Canada; Mary is from Willis, TX (prior Philadelphia and W. Virginia resident), and I am now in Conroe north of Houston. Mary said she felt like she was home in Virginia when we went through the hills. We all want to come back. They said the river was their favorite thing I planned for them to do.
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