Current River
August 1999


 Phil and Tim

In August we decided to take a little vacation. Our orioginal plan was to canoe the Buffallo River in Arkansas. After we arrived in Arkansas we discovered, that the river was basically stagnet. Weeks worth of drought and 100 degree heat had dired up the river. So we changed our plans and took a 5 day float on the Current River.

Joining us on the expedition was Michelle and Tim King. Our niece and nephew (Bob and Barb's kids). Tim flew in from Ohio for the trip, and Michelle hadn't started her job after graduation, so they were game for the outing.

We started the trip in Vanburen, Missouri. We rented canoes, bought supplies, and the outfitter bused up the river to Acker's Ferry. The first day we floated from Ackers to Pulltite campground. We were able to buy a limited amount of additional supplies and ice at Pulltite.

This is Michelle - showing off.


The second day we floated just past Round Springs, and camped on a gravel bar. On our scond night, we had a visit from some neighborhood racoons. The weather was great. When you got a little to hot, you just jumped in the river to cool off.

The third day we floated about 3-4 miles past Two Rivers Campground. At Two Rivers we were able to get more supplies and ice, we also snagged some ice cream bars.

This is Tim King demonstrating a skill he learned at the University of Illinois.

The third night we were at a campsite just below Two Rivers. It was a very pretty but primitive site. But the most interesting part was our neighbors - a couple of rural Missouri's finest. They like two kinds of music, country and western. It appeared that the didn't want us to stop at first, but hey we were tired.

They definately were a couple of good old boys, who were dissappointed to learn that the south had lost the war. Well, Uncle Phil went over and visited a little bit and the next thing you knew we had a couple of friends. They shared some food with us and gave us some extra ice for the next day. Ice on the river is like gold.

The campsite was great. It was a cool night and the gentle gurgling of the river made sleeping easy.

This is a picture of Michelle and Claudia, shampooing their hair in the river. Cute huh. . .

The fourth day was a long one, but we took time out to swim and have fun.

This is Scott and Phil jumping off a big rock.

The only problem on the trip was some pesky horse flies. Paul summed it up this way. I am pro shade and anti horse fly.

Our last night was spent, on another gravel bar. Michelle really did a great job, this was her first camping out experience and she was a real trooper.

Our fifth day was a short one. Claudia had planned perfectly. We arrived back at the outfitter's around lunch time. We had a minor problem with Michelle's car, but was able to get it fixed with a new battery terminal. We loaded up and drove to Big Springs Park (5 miles). There we enjoyed a nice lunch, with no horse flies!!

Paul, considers dunking Michelle and Claudia.

Return to Phil's front page.