I hope I haven't overloaded my butt

[Phillip Allen]

The neighbor girls wanted to experience camping and I volunteered to take them and their boyfriends on a float trip down the Buffalo when the weather warms up. It is morphing into a rather large event with my granddaughters, the neighbor twins (16) and their 19 yo sister, her boy friend and now it seems to be growing even more. Mostly young people but I asked my daughter and her husband to come along (need chaperones I think).

[Bill R]

Good deal. Sounds like fun.

[Bruce Hooke]

A lot probably depends on the character of the kids in question. If they are trouble-makers then things could get lively. If they have a decent sense for how to behave on a camping trip (and if they all get along) then it should be fun.

I've done two trips on the Buffalo and greatly enjoyed both of them...

[Hughman]

You have been shanghied into a gigglefest. You have my sympathy. :D

[Bruce Taylor]

Ah, taking the grandneighbour's camping. May the spirit of Norm Messinger smile on your excursion!

Now, if you really want to channel the spirit of O & O Midwest you need to help the neighbour kids build their own six hours canoes.

So, what's this Buffalo like?

[Phillip Allen]

It's the Buffalo National Scenic River...about a 1 hour drive from here

http://www.nps.gov/buff

[Bruce Hooke]

Well, I'll fill in a few more details. The Buffalo is a beautiful, clear river in the Ozark Mountains (which aren't really mountains at least near the Buffalo -- more big hills). Limestone bluffs line the river in many places. You camp on sand and gravel bars along the river. IIRC, the entire river is 120 miles long and in that length you pass one small town and a handful of bridges. In high season it is, reportedly, a bit of a mob scene on the river, but I've always gone in March and pretty much had the river to myself. On a 7 day trip I think we saw one other boat. Most of the river is flatwater and class I whitewater, with an occasional class II drop, but the upper section has some more serious whitewater.

If your collection of WoodenBoat magazines goes back to issue 72, you can read about the Buffalo and a waterman who knew it well and traveled it in a John Gardiner Bateau.

[rbgarr]

Will you be scheduling the trip to coincide with Toad Suck Daze? ;)

[Phillip Allen]

Toad Suck is too far to the south to consider

[Phillip Allen]

On my last trip (two nights on the lower float) I saw my first river otters in Arkansas...they were shoutin at us to come over and play and I thought "what a strange sound to come from minks" then turned the corner and it hit me... OTTERS!

[Bruce Taylor]

Sounds like sheer delight. :)

[Mrleft8]

They otter enjoy it....