Frog run down to Rudy parking information

[okieboater]

Been a while for me to run the Frog. Hooking up with some KS boaters for a first timers run down the Frog.

Looking for feedback on where to park at the put in. Across the bridge up the hill or across the road under the overhead bridge piles from the old river right parking close to the farm entrance.

Much appreciated.

[ebell]

when you going? might want to join. the last few times i have been we did not cross the bridge to park. just pulled off in the grass on the left prior to crossing the bridge.

eric

[okieboater]

Last time I parked on that side of the bridge, the home owner came out and told us to leave the area as she thought we were blocking her drive way when they drove their stock trailer out to the road - we were some distance away from the drive way, but what the heck, not worth it to discuss. Did not want any issues so we just moved further up the hill to calm her down.

ebell, not sure of the exact time. I am going to meet them Sat at the KOA prolly around 8 to 830 set up shuttle. PM me your cell number and I will give you a call when the final plan is setup.

[Flapjack]

Uncle Dave, I think you must try to park on the left side of road if you heading east. Farmer has cut off of the right side until we can get something figured out with him. Less vehicles up top the better. Have fun! Flapjack

[okieboater]

Thanks Flap, gona to back to our old stream with some new boaters. Lots of good times there back in the squirt boat days

Okie

[MaxTexan]

Dennis likes to tell stories of the old squirt boat days, especially as you pass a particular rapid below the Railroad bridge (2nd?) that has all the surf waves. I thought I was cool getting my RPM Max to squirt on some of those lines. Then Dennis would go on about disappearing for eons in a squirt boat on that eddy line.

[GN YAKN]

How about a trip report Dave?

We paddled the Mulberry Saturday from Little Mulberry to Whoop N Holler. Nice day. Lots of changes to the river. Seems like some of the old play spots have disappeared!

Didn't realize how far out of paddling shape I've let myself get. Will have to redouble my training efforts!!!

The weather and the river were beautiful! Tons of people out in the Valley of Love boating, hiking, four-wheeling............

[okieboater]

OK, here goes.

Weather Sat was perfect. We had a couple along from KS that had never been on moving water in their kayaks, just a couple lake outings. They had a ball to say the least.

I would say the level sat was about as low as I have ever ran the Frog. Never mind we had a great time.

We stayed on the RR side of the road to unload and the farmer gentleman came down in his truck and parked outside his gate and watched us during the whole process. We waved but he did not want to talk or that is the impression we got. Ran the shuttle down to Rudy. Came back and parked my little Tacoma backed into the area under the RR bridge. He drove back to his gate and watched us again. I kinda expected to see something on my truck, but it was untouched. So, I cannot add much to the parking situation except say I would stay off the area just outside his gate.

I have have decades of fun on that run. Many of them with Dennis and Karen. I saw all the great surf and squirt sports Dennis and myself used to play in. Brought back a lot of good times. My squirt boat is still in the cedar shed. Even tho the fiberglass has shrunk to the point my butt won't fit, I just cannot get rid of it.

We missed the BBQ lady at Rudy and looks like they have torn down her building, I miss her as well and her son used to sometimes run shuttle for us Okies.

Did hit the Catfish Hole for what I consider the best eating cat fish any where and pigged out to the max. Awesome food. Went back to KOA. Had a nice camp fire. Started rain and nothing like sleeping out listening to rain beating down when you are warm and dry. Were gonna try for a short run on Lee Creek but it had not come up yet. So, we hit Cracker Barrel where their big breakfast was on special. Awesome. Just back in Tulsa and the KS group went to check out Lake Ft Smith for future trips and I suspect are back on the road north.

All in all, not the killer boating we normally want to post about. Good times bringing new folks into the sport, awesome memories of Frog trips with Mr Flapjack and better half. And, if it gets any better than Catfish Hole for supper and Cracker Barrel for Breakfast - I would like to hear about it.

Now, maybe if we get some in week rain, I can hit the Tot and see some long missed paddle buds down there.

[prophet]

dave, are you talking about the "farmer" across the bridge where we usually park? if so, no worries on him messing with your stuff, great guy.

[okieboater]

Yup, across the bridge on river right - behind the nice metal gate.

I can almost always strike up a conversation with most folks, yesterday he seemed to be sending out "don't mess with me signs" so we respectively stayed on the RR side.

I can remember seeing that space having beer cans here and there and done my share of picking them up. My thought is if he does not want to deal with folks parking there, his right and I support that. I just want to follow the rules.

That Frog run at the right water levels has been key to my WW career and lost count of the fun times there. I want to be sure we keep it open for the young un's to learn on as well.