Buffalo trip March 6th, 2011 Sunday thru maybe Wed 3/9

[Eric Esche]

Here's the deal - I promised to look after the son of a friend of mine, who I raft guided with back in the 70's, when the kids come over to run the Buffalo. They are coming Sunday.

They are 21 and have done the Buffalo once before in 2009. We are meeting at Buffalo River Canoes on HW 7 at 9AM Sunday and we will run shuttle from Erbie with Mary and I, to either Pruitt or Hasty as they may campout and Mary and I will not. So 7.6 miles or 14.4 miles, to be decided Sunday morning. Rain Friday and Saturday is predicted to drop about one inch on the upper Buffalo, but up to 1.75 inches on the middle to lower Buffalo, so Monday through Wednesday will be played by ear depending on water levels day by day. We are not doing Ponca to Kyles, as I do not think their Honda can do the road after the rain.

The boys also want to possibly get in some hiking, so they may not paddle every day. I am planning on getting a motel room, as is Mary and her dog Chloe. I have a list of pet friendly motels and cabins in Jasper and around St.Joe and have called to check on room availability Sunday through Wednesday, and will have a list of others if anyone likes that idea. If the boys camp out on a gravelbar, we will go to the next take out and meet them the next morning with supplies like ice, food, fluids. I am loaning them most of my spare river gear (paddles, seat pads, etc) and river clothing, dry bags, barrels, etc.

What I'm trying to say is that this will be a VERY loosely planned, see what each day brings trip, but if anyone else is paddleing the Buffalo the first part of next week and wants to run shuttle with us, I will have a 4 canoe trailer and can take two, possibly 3 more on top of my dark grey Pathfinder. The boys have a 4WD Honda of some type with racks, so we can be fairly independent, but the more the merrier. The boys say they want to camp out, but with the possibilities of more rain, I am encouraging them to use NPS campsites to allow them more flexibility in getting away from the river, and to allow them the possibility of coming into town for food, ice and maybe to stay in the same motels/cabins I am planning on using.

Eric Esche Cell phone 479-721-9101 if you can reach me when there is coverage
House 479-986-8567 until about 6AM Sunday morning

[plaidpants]

Eric it seems every time you get on the river there is something that keeps me from getting on with you. My wife being in the hospital is keeping me from going this time but before this season is out I will be on with you.

I do know the season ends on the season finaleat midnight and starts again one second after midnight. So we have a lot of time.

It would be good to see you again friend.

[Jaytee]

Eric, we have a cabin 10 min from Pruitt (off Hwy 7). Do you need a place to stay? We could give you the lockbox code. Truly, we are always happy for folks to use it.

We might be able to join you for the Sunday stretch, but since we are staying in Fayetteville for the weekend might also favor the shorter drive to the Mulberry. Sunday forecast in encouraging.

[Eric Esche]

I am still planning on trying to go to the Buffalo Sunday to run some section, but previous plans are now out the window, as the two boys I was supposed to be hosting had to back out.

Anyone interested in doing a shuttle and running the Buffalo Sunday, and or Monday, give me a call on my cell 479-721-9101

Thanks, Eric Esche

[Eric Esche]

Phone calls have once more changed our plans and direction. Mary, Stephan, and I are going sea kayaking tomorrow on Beaver Lake in the Lost Bridge/Indian creek area, leaving my house around 9-9:30AM to drive over there via HW 62 and HW127.

Hope everyone gets on the water somewhere.

Eric