There were a few versions of this trip, with some participants camping their way up Texas and Arkansas earlier and camping an extra day on the way home. Christy is going to tell that story. The official trip started at the Daisy Queen in Marshall, AR – about 15 minutes from the Tyler Bend Campsite and river access.
We talked about the river conditions at various points and probability of rain, and decided to stay with Plan B, starting at Tyler Bend where we were camping, and taking out at Rush Landing.
Christy, Amy, Duane and Sam enjoying the morning fire
RIVER DAY ONE:
We broke camp and ran the shuttle, and Ken bought a couple of pizzas on our way back through Marshall to the put-in. They were delicious.
Another tough put-in - L to R: Sam, Ken, Christy, and Amy prepping their kayaks
Conditions were perfect when we got on the water about 1:20. The scenery we were passing was beautiful and often dramatic with the many bluffs along the margins of the river.
Christy passing under a bluff
Amy drifting past a large formation
Christy, Ken, and Amy contemplating the big ledge
About a third of Sam, plus Christy, Ken, and Amy
Sam in the shade
Ken playing chicken with the rocks near shore
Our first camp on the river was very spread out
Amy posing to show how difficult the river access was at this camp
RIVER DAY TWO:
Lunch at North Maumee
Back in the saddle after a short break
Christy enjoying the ride
One of the 20 mature bald eagles we saw – this one was going for Amy (photo by Ken McCormick)
Buffalo Point (?)
The camping chairs we brought did not work perfectly in the deep gravel.
RIVER DAY THREE:
Ken, Sam, and Christy having coffee in the morning mist
Leaving another great campsite
Amy in front of a dramatic rock formation
Sam in front of the same dramatic rock formation
Christy and Amy drifting
Sam and Ken drifting
The Take-Out at Rush Landing
Late Lunch after shuttle at Daisy Queen
During the three days we spend on the river we saw belted kingfishers, sandpipers, a momma duck with 5 ducklings, 2 juvenile bald eagles, 20 mature bald eagles, black vultures, hawks, a few GBH, and turtles. The nights were chilly and the days were perfect.
Please see photo album here