October 2013 Big Piney River. The Federal Government has shut down, closing the National Parks! Why is this relevant? Well, the current situation directly impacts the National Scenic Waterways, including the Current River, Jacks Fork and Eleven Point. All of these rivers are essentially closed. I've asked myself, "How can you close a river?" The river keeps running, the natural order of things continues to exist despite calling it a park or claiming we as man can open and close it. Yet. the vendors aren't allowed to shuttle vehicles and the access points along the river are closed. I wasn't willing to risk a ticket or bypass a barricade with the family so other plans were made.
We decided to venture outside our normal routine and canoe a river we haven't been on, but comes highly recommended by a friend. The Big Piney River is located north of the Current River but in the same general area. Key to our situation, it's not part of the National Scenic Waterrways. This river is spring fed like the Current so it's floatable year round. We decided on a short trip for our first outing on this river, from Six Crossings to Rich's Last Stand.
We had a late start due to the thunderstorms in the morning and arrived at Rich's at 1pm. He was a little gruff around the edges, when I asked how he wanted to complete the shuttle he just started to hop in our car. We found this a bit humorous and we're happy to report the shuttle was only 20 dollars and it was a quick ride. I have to laugh looking back because Rich pointed out a "cowboy camp" that we passed when going to the put in for our outing.
Our lazy afternoon began at 2pm, the water was clear with a greenish hue. Being spring fed it was cold, but welcomed on the 80 degree day. Bluffs stood tall over the water with porous features. Gravel bars dotted the bends in the water. We stopped at a gravel bar that had a huge tree jetting into the water. The tree lay smooth having been stripped of its bark by the water. Sophia hopped onto the tree and began pacing the length of it in cat like fashion. The evening fire and cool temps were delightful, making it easy to fall fast asleep.
Dark still surrounded us when we woke to Eerie yodels of cowboy music distorted by echoes and distance. Apparently we were close enough to the cowboy camp to hear their breakfast call. The chill in the air kept Sophia and Kelli in their sleeping bags but the first glimmer of light urged me to pursue some fish. I started the morning with a nice smallmouth. The music finally subsided and the rest of the day was full of solitude. The Big Piney River was a very nice float.
We decided to venture outside our normal routine and canoe a river we haven't been on, but comes highly recommended by a friend. The Big Piney River is located north of the Current River but in the same general area. Key to our situation, it's not part of the National Scenic Waterrways. This river is spring fed like the Current so it's floatable year round. We decided on a short trip for our first outing on this river, from Six Crossings to Rich's Last Stand.
We had a late start due to the thunderstorms in the morning and arrived at Rich's at 1pm. He was a little gruff around the edges, when I asked how he wanted to complete the shuttle he just started to hop in our car. We found this a bit humorous and we're happy to report the shuttle was only 20 dollars and it was a quick ride. I have to laugh looking back because Rich pointed out a "cowboy camp" that we passed when going to the put in for our outing.
Our lazy afternoon began at 2pm, the water was clear with a greenish hue. Being spring fed it was cold, but welcomed on the 80 degree day. Bluffs stood tall over the water with porous features. Gravel bars dotted the bends in the water. We stopped at a gravel bar that had a huge tree jetting into the water. The tree lay smooth having been stripped of its bark by the water. Sophia hopped onto the tree and began pacing the length of it in cat like fashion. The evening fire and cool temps were delightful, making it easy to fall fast asleep.
Dark still surrounded us when we woke to Eerie yodels of cowboy music distorted by echoes and distance. Apparently we were close enough to the cowboy camp to hear their breakfast call. The chill in the air kept Sophia and Kelli in their sleeping bags but the first glimmer of light urged me to pursue some fish. I started the morning with a nice smallmouth. The music finally subsided and the rest of the day was full of solitude. The Big Piney River was a very nice float.