We met at the park below the second dam below DeGray Lake 10:30 and unloaded, ran the shuttle, prepped and got on the water at 11:34 AM. Flow was good because of releases from the dam.
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| Kent and Sam ready to go |
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Sam at the Put-in |
It was overcast when we started out, and we headed downriver into the spring green and the clean, clear water. We paddled downstream and ate lunch on the go.
Kent shortly after launch (cotton shirt over PFD for evaporation – it works)
Sam as we approached the confluence of the Caddo and Ouachita Rivers
We entered the Ouachita River at exactly the 5-mile mark at 1:10 PM.
Sam on the Oachita
We saw sandpipers, great blue heron, kingfishers, cardinals, a bald eagle and two types of turtles.
Our unnamed Take-out
As we approached the takeout, Sam asked me if I thought it was going to be okay, and I responded that it looked like it would be doable as long as you weren’t concerned about snakes. As we were scouting the little game trail at the take-out, Sam surprised a huge king snake.
Our take-out from the top
A quick reverse shuttle, boat and gear transfer, and we were done – on our way home by about 3:00.
