Great fun was had on the annual Jack’s Fork of the Current River trip with Bluff City Canoe Club Members! This trip has been running about 50 years – I’m just the current trip leader and won’t be the last. It has grown into a week long trip for many. Exploring the Mark Twain National Forest and surrounding area by kayak, canoe, swimming, foot, and automobile is par for course. This year caving, dirt roading, fording swollen creek beds, and box turtle rescuing was added to the list.
The weather can and usually is all over the map and this year was no exception. From hot sunny days, to cool foggy mornings and an out-of-the blue rain shower Friday morning ⎼ we enjoyed it all. I always sleep so well in the crisp outdoor air. Eye candy abounds with the changing colors of the leaves as fall moves through the surrounding area of hills and bluffs.
While in recent years we’ve counted 60 around the annual Saturday potluck at Ed and Peggy Landers camp, due to COVID 19 our numbers were lower and spread out. Thanks to John Adams, the fires remained warming and fun, though we drifted in and out to accommodate both a desire to catch up and a need to remain distant given the times.
Paddling throughout the week for those around included Bay Creek to Alley Springs and Pulltite to Round Spring on the Jack’s Fork, as well as a section of the Current River putting in at Two Rivers (the confluence of the Jack’s Fork and the Current Rivers).
Paddling on Saturday with new and familiar boaters is always an annual highlight. 17 boats put on the river with 18 paddlers and a dog on his surfboard. Spirits were high. Weather was great. Only AJ braved the cool spring-fed river for a planned swim at lunch. Others unexpectedly swam and got right back in the saddle to try it again. Kudos to the many new BCCC members who hoped on board and paddled this beautiful river for the first time. New paddle friends include Greg Bainer, Denise Clifft, Sue Cosmini, Jimmy and Tonya Hoskins, Susan Redmond and Mary Jackson’s dog Edee. Thanks for being good sports, all!
The one thing I’ve learned about visiting this area this time of year is that I always want to spend more time there. I hope to extend my stay next year to take in more of what Eminence Missouri in October has to offer. I look forward to seeing you there!