This weekend Grant and I kayaked the Mulberry River, a stream that has been on my to-do list for a long time. The Mulberry is a bit different than most of the streams I’m used to…water isn’t as clear as many of the teal blue streams in Missouri, but it was a lot more like a true mountain stream, with long stretches of whitewater and kind of a chalky green color. The scenery was also a bit different, the rocks were sandstone and there were a lot of Beech and Sweetgum trees.
It was a chilly morning, cold enough that we had to scrape ice off my windshield, but that didn’t deter us. The relatively wild water makes equipment like a wetsuit and a kayak skirt pretty much a necessity. Definitely a first for me!
Not long into the float we stopped at this spot and discovered how difficult it is to go to the bathroom while wearing a wetsuit.
Whitewater like this was pretty common, splashing water up over my face and completely submerging my kayak. Luckily my skirt kept my kayak from filling up with water every time I hit a large wave.
Not all of the river was fast. There were still some places to slow down, relax and enjoy the pines on the hills.
Grant showing his mad skills, navigating around some boulders.
A pretty spot with some rapids and pines.
Later in the day we passed this steep hillside covered with beech trees and lots of cool rocks and cave looking formations.
Close to the end there was a very long fast stretch. No large kayak swamping waves, but just some good fast runs.
It’s a longer drive than the nearby gems like Big Sugar and Indian Creeks, but closer than the Current or the other rivers in that part of Missouri. Definitely a fun day and worth the drive!
