YOU JUST POPPED THE TOP ON A SIX-PACK OF WHOOP-ASS
~
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Final Details
Jim, Jim and Vernon are either leaving late tonight or first thing tomorrow. If they leave early in the morning the plan is just to have everybody head up the interstate and we'll reach each other by cell phone and find a place to meet.
Rob is still arriving late tomorrow and we are going to leave a canoe at Turner's Mill for him. Although there is no camping allowed at the put-in itself, our goal is to find a gravel bar as quickly as possible. There is a Float Camp less than a mile downstream ("Stinking Pond") and we have agreed that under no circumstances will we go farther than the Float Camp since Rob will be paddling in the dark and we know we can camp there for sure.
Rob will be equipped with an RRCC-procured mega-spotlight for his midnight ride. One if by land, 5,000,000 candlepower if by sea. He could gig a blind frog with that thing.
We have given up trying to reguluate tents. You can save space by pairing up with someone or just bring your own. Either way, make your own arrangements.
Ever since the Great Utensil Crisis of 2007 we have been gradually acquiring tableware but have never had proper drinking vessels. We've been getting by with aluminum cans and styrofoam cups. Now, as a reward for your participation in both the swamp attempt and the cold weather alternate river, all Fall 2010 attendees will get official RRCC-issued authentic tin cups. Hand-made by a tinsmith in Bell Buckle and ribbed for her pleasure.
So that's it, nothing more to say before we go. Can't wait to pull the trailer across the Ohio and the mighty Mississippi over those huge double bridges in Cairo.
OHIO RIVER
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
That's where Huckleberry Finn and Jim were trying to get on their raft - because if they made it to Cairo Jim would be a free man. We weren't the first ones to have some good times on the river.
Rob is still arriving late tomorrow and we are going to leave a canoe at Turner's Mill for him. Although there is no camping allowed at the put-in itself, our goal is to find a gravel bar as quickly as possible. There is a Float Camp less than a mile downstream ("Stinking Pond") and we have agreed that under no circumstances will we go farther than the Float Camp since Rob will be paddling in the dark and we know we can camp there for sure.
Rob will be equipped with an RRCC-procured mega-spotlight for his midnight ride. One if by land, 5,000,000 candlepower if by sea. He could gig a blind frog with that thing.
We have given up trying to reguluate tents. You can save space by pairing up with someone or just bring your own. Either way, make your own arrangements.
Ever since the Great Utensil Crisis of 2007 we have been gradually acquiring tableware but have never had proper drinking vessels. We've been getting by with aluminum cans and styrofoam cups. Now, as a reward for your participation in both the swamp attempt and the cold weather alternate river, all Fall 2010 attendees will get official RRCC-issued authentic tin cups. Hand-made by a tinsmith in Bell Buckle and ribbed for her pleasure.
So that's it, nothing more to say before we go. Can't wait to pull the trailer across the Ohio and the mighty Mississippi over those huge double bridges in Cairo.
OHIO RIVER
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
That's where Huckleberry Finn and Jim were trying to get on their raft - because if they made it to Cairo Jim would be a free man. We weren't the first ones to have some good times on the river.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Field & Stream
Apparently Saturday is opening day for deer season in the Show Me State. Everyone should wear a little bright orange, even if it means shoplifting some UT paraphenalia at the Mapco when you're getting your BYOB. The orange letters on the camo Busch cans don't count.
Shots, far back from the river . . . Deer season, and
a Saturday, which would likely make for hell on the hills
. . . I guessed that not even the normal quota of whisky-head sports would probably shoot a boat for a buck, but decided to wear a bandana if I went rambling ashore.
Goodbye to a River, p. 96.
~
You should also know that most of the Ozark streams are pretty heavily patrolled by wildlife officers on normal weekends, so they may be out in force for opening day. For those of you who are fishing, you better get a license. You can buy one and print it out on-line. Go to http://mdc.mo.gov/fishing and choose Code 018 "Daily Fishing" when asked. It's only $7 per day and worth it because the Eleven Point is an elite smallmouth stream and rates as a "Blue Ribbon" trout stream below Greer Springs because of the cold water.
Eleven Point fishing links:
http://www.missouriscenicrivers.com/Elevenpointriver.html
Near the Oakes crossing where the old road between Weatherford and Palo Pinto used to hit the river, the water's surface was much as I remembered the surface of the classic Test, in the south-English chalk country, from once when I stood there on a bridge watching the big, incredibly uniform trout at their feeding stations over the gravel. Smooth, with little swirls forming everywhere and drifting downstream to disappear, a dry-fly man's reverie . . . The Brazos runs wide there, with a large-gravel bottom about a foot and a half down like the Test's, and that was why they were alike. I wished it might also have held such trout, and in memory of not having been able to fish those rigidly owned foreign waters, I began to cast a little golden spoon with the spinning rod as I drifted.
Goodbye to a River, pp. 102-03.
~
Shots, far back from the river . . . Deer season, and
a Saturday, which would likely make for hell on the hills
. . . I guessed that not even the normal quota of whisky-head sports would probably shoot a boat for a buck, but decided to wear a bandana if I went rambling ashore.
Goodbye to a River, p. 96.
~
You should also know that most of the Ozark streams are pretty heavily patrolled by wildlife officers on normal weekends, so they may be out in force for opening day. For those of you who are fishing, you better get a license. You can buy one and print it out on-line. Go to http://mdc.mo.gov/fishing and choose Code 018 "Daily Fishing" when asked. It's only $7 per day and worth it because the Eleven Point is an elite smallmouth stream and rates as a "Blue Ribbon" trout stream below Greer Springs because of the cold water.
Eleven Point fishing links:
http://ozarkanglers.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=29&Itemid=72
http://family-outdoors.com/Eleven-Point-River-Smallmouth.html
http://moscenicrivers.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=fishing3&action=display&thread=77http://www.missouriscenicrivers.com/Elevenpointriver.html
Near the Oakes crossing where the old road between Weatherford and Palo Pinto used to hit the river, the water's surface was much as I remembered the surface of the classic Test, in the south-English chalk country, from once when I stood there on a bridge watching the big, incredibly uniform trout at their feeding stations over the gravel. Smooth, with little swirls forming everywhere and drifting downstream to disappear, a dry-fly man's reverie . . . The Brazos runs wide there, with a large-gravel bottom about a foot and a half down like the Test's, and that was why they were alike. I wished it might also have held such trout, and in memory of not having been able to fish those rigidly owned foreign waters, I began to cast a little golden spoon with the spinning rod as I drifted.
Goodbye to a River, pp. 102-03.
~
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
Eleven Point Turn
Maybe this will help on the last part of the drive. You can hit fullscreen or you can just print it out like a regular document. If nothing else, the topo contours of the river valley should get you fired up for the trip!
Eleven Point Roads
Eleven Point Roads
Monday, November 08, 2010
Conference Call
If you did not dial in you were nominated, seconded and elected for firewood gathering, K.P., latrine entrenchment, guitar re-stringing and cooler re-icing.
There are 8 confirmed members for this trip. Jim M. and the other Jim M. and Vernon are leaving Thursday. Sands will be coming up from his lakehouse in Arkansas. Rob is arriving late on Friday. That means leaving Nashville with the trailer Friday morning are the three stooges Skip, Josh and Kirly. We will leave Friday at 6:00 am. That's early but it's only 7-o'clock under the old Daylight Savings Time and it's going to be worth it to get some daylight on the river the first day. Regardless of where you are coming from, the plan is to meet at the put-in at 1:00 pm. Friday afternoon.
The put-in is called "Turner's Mill North" which is one of the public access points on the Eleven Point River. The closest town is Alton, Missouri, but the river is east of Alton so those of us coming from Tennessee will hit the country roads before reaching Alton. If you can get "Riverton, Missouri" on your GPS, that is our take-out and would be even closer. Here are the maps and directions:
Tennessee-to-Missouri:
Take I-24 West to Paducah about 135 miles
Get off I-24 at Kentucky EXIT 4 onto Hwy 60 West
Take Hwy 60 west about 115 miles all the way to Poplar Bluff, Missouri which is tricky and involves the following: crossing the Mississippi River into Illinois, driving all of 5 minutes across the State of Illinois and into Missouri, following I-57 a short way (but still on Hwy 60), then continuing into Poplar Bluff, Missouri (still on Hwy 60)
In Poplar Bluff, turn south on Hwy 67 and go about 10 miles to Hwy 160
Take Hwy 160 west about 45 miles to the Eleven Point River in Riverton, Missouri
You are now at the river, but the Hwy 160 bridge in Riverton, Missouri is our take-out. About 6.5 miles before you get there you will pass Hwy J which is the way to the put-in. There are no landmarks, but if you see it you can turn right onto Hwy J before Riverton and save yourself 15 minutes. Otherwise, from Riverton see below:
To get to the put-in from Riverton, Missouri do the following:
Turn around. Retrace your route (i.e. go east) for 6.5 miles back up Hwy 160
Turn LEFT (north) off of Hwy 160 onto Hwy J (may also be called County Road J)
Go 7.5 miles north on Hwy J
Turn LEFT on County Rd. 164
Go 3.8 miles on County Rd. 164
Turn LEFT on County Rd. 158
Go 3.1 miles on County Rd. 158
Turn LEFT on County Rd. 3152 (I know it sounds like you're going in circles)
Go 0.9 miles on County Rd. 3152
Turn LEFT (it's true) on Forest Road 3190
Go 2.6 miles on Forest Road 3190 to Turner's Mill North Boat Ramp.
That's the put-in. We will meet there at 1:00 on Friday. Note that there is also a "Turner's Mill SOUTH Boat Ramp" on the other side of the river. You won't get there by accident, it's fifty feet away but an hour's drive by car. Just wanted you to know another one exists to avoid any confusion or in case you stop and ask for directions.
The other things we decided are:
1. Definitely BYOB. That includes beer and brown liquor;
2. BYO Ready-rolls too;
3. Jim M. will bring both his canoe and the other Jim M.'s canoe on his truck. Chris will bring his own. We will bring canoes for Vernon, Kirk, Rob and Skip. Josh, drop yours off this week if you can;
4. Guitars are covered. Rob is bringing two and Chris is bringing one. Kirk: do not bring a guitar;
5. Jim M.: we still need to figure out Saturday lunch, and bring your big dining fly if you still have it;
6. Our float time on Sunday is short - about 90 minutes. Everyone on this trip has personal experience with RRCC Sunday departures so do your own estimate of ETA for the return. But allow time in your calculation for the shuttle, a six hour drive to Nashville, and a long lunch stop at Lambert's Cafe for some throwed rolls. It can be a long wait for Sunday lunch but we're going right through Sikeston and we have to do it.
There are 8 confirmed members for this trip. Jim M. and the other Jim M. and Vernon are leaving Thursday. Sands will be coming up from his lakehouse in Arkansas. Rob is arriving late on Friday. That means leaving Nashville with the trailer Friday morning are the three stooges Skip, Josh and Kirly. We will leave Friday at 6:00 am. That's early but it's only 7-o'clock under the old Daylight Savings Time and it's going to be worth it to get some daylight on the river the first day. Regardless of where you are coming from, the plan is to meet at the put-in at 1:00 pm. Friday afternoon.
The put-in is called "Turner's Mill North" which is one of the public access points on the Eleven Point River. The closest town is Alton, Missouri, but the river is east of Alton so those of us coming from Tennessee will hit the country roads before reaching Alton. If you can get "Riverton, Missouri" on your GPS, that is our take-out and would be even closer. Here are the maps and directions:
Tennessee-to-Missouri:
Take I-24 West to Paducah about 135 miles
Get off I-24 at Kentucky EXIT 4 onto Hwy 60 West
Take Hwy 60 west about 115 miles all the way to Poplar Bluff, Missouri which is tricky and involves the following: crossing the Mississippi River into Illinois, driving all of 5 minutes across the State of Illinois and into Missouri, following I-57 a short way (but still on Hwy 60), then continuing into Poplar Bluff, Missouri (still on Hwy 60)
In Poplar Bluff, turn south on Hwy 67 and go about 10 miles to Hwy 160
Take Hwy 160 west about 45 miles to the Eleven Point River in Riverton, Missouri
You are now at the river, but the Hwy 160 bridge in Riverton, Missouri is our take-out. About 6.5 miles before you get there you will pass Hwy J which is the way to the put-in. There are no landmarks, but if you see it you can turn right onto Hwy J before Riverton and save yourself 15 minutes. Otherwise, from Riverton see below:
To get to the put-in from Riverton, Missouri do the following:
Turn around. Retrace your route (i.e. go east) for 6.5 miles back up Hwy 160
Turn LEFT (north) off of Hwy 160 onto Hwy J (may also be called County Road J)
Go 7.5 miles north on Hwy J
Turn LEFT on County Rd. 164
Go 3.8 miles on County Rd. 164
Turn LEFT on County Rd. 158
Go 3.1 miles on County Rd. 158
Turn LEFT on County Rd. 3152 (I know it sounds like you're going in circles)
Go 0.9 miles on County Rd. 3152
Turn LEFT (it's true) on Forest Road 3190
Go 2.6 miles on Forest Road 3190 to Turner's Mill North Boat Ramp.
That's the put-in. We will meet there at 1:00 on Friday. Note that there is also a "Turner's Mill SOUTH Boat Ramp" on the other side of the river. You won't get there by accident, it's fifty feet away but an hour's drive by car. Just wanted you to know another one exists to avoid any confusion or in case you stop and ask for directions.
The other things we decided are:
1. Definitely BYOB. That includes beer and brown liquor;
2. BYO Ready-rolls too;
3. Jim M. will bring both his canoe and the other Jim M.'s canoe on his truck. Chris will bring his own. We will bring canoes for Vernon, Kirk, Rob and Skip. Josh, drop yours off this week if you can;
4. Guitars are covered. Rob is bringing two and Chris is bringing one. Kirk: do not bring a guitar;
5. Jim M.: we still need to figure out Saturday lunch, and bring your big dining fly if you still have it;
6. Our float time on Sunday is short - about 90 minutes. Everyone on this trip has personal experience with RRCC Sunday departures so do your own estimate of ETA for the return. But allow time in your calculation for the shuttle, a six hour drive to Nashville, and a long lunch stop at Lambert's Cafe for some throwed rolls. It can be a long wait for Sunday lunch but we're going right through Sikeston and we have to do it.
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