Sunday after church Grant and I decided to take a quick afternoon kayak trip. As we often do, we chose Center Creek, except this time we did a section of the river neither of us had ever floated before.

The furthest I had ever been down Center Creek was the park in Carl Junction. So this time we started there and floated down to the bridge near Smithfield, which is the last takeout point before the river flows into Kansas and merges with Spring River. I found this section of the river to be particularly enjoyable because it seemed to have an abundance of rapids compared to other sections, and there were a lot of large rock bottom areas. I also enjoyed the numerous small wet weather waterfalls along the bank… though there are several of these just upstream from my house as well.

It is also worth nothing that Grant and I have become fairly proficient at the logistics of a self-guided float trip, considering we both drive compact cars. Who would have thought a kayak can almost entirely fit in the trunk of a jetta with another one tied to the top without even taking off my bike rack!? Sweet lovin!

This weekend we organized an expedition of sorts to get our kayaks out on a new river (new to me at least). We picked Big Sugar Creek near Pineville because it’s A)close B)scenic and C)void of most of the party scene found further downstream on the Elk River. The first day we floated about 6 miles from near Powell, MO to Cyclone, MO and camped. Then the next day we floated down from camp to a low water bridge near Deep Ford, about 7ish miles. I made a nifty map for those who are interested.

One item of particular excitement for me was seeing a beaver swimming in the river right beneath us. I tried to take a pic but wasn’t quick enough. All in all it was a really great float and a very pretty river. The only issue was that the water was extremely low in some areas, but that was somewhat expected considering it’s the middle of summer, and a dry summer at that.

PS you can click on any of the images for larger versions.

Here is the rustic store at Camp Tilden where we setup tent.

Crossing over a small bridge on the way to the drop off point. I think this spot may have been where we started on the second day.

We put in below a really pretty bluff area. McDonald county is generally very scenic and rural with a lot of winding dirt roads.

Here is the first day’s group getting ready to set out!

Me playing around with a new waterproof digital camera… and almost running into a tree branch.

Poco and Jimmy borrowed mom and dad’s canoe. I really dig Missouri’s über-clear rivers.

A cool bird that flew alongside us for a bit. Made it easy to get a good pic.

Here is poco trying to reach for a rope swing. Not sure what she was going to do if she reached it. Probably get her paddle stuck and then end up tipping the canoe.

Here is the group… just rollin down the river.

Grant fishing and Matt swimming.

Notice all the small fish swimming around Grant’s lure.

Here is a cool view under the water, showing all the little fish swimming around. Kind of looked like an aquarium. I never could get any pics of video of bigger fish!

Grant caught a fish and tossed it in Poco and Jimmy’s canoe. Then Jimmy pretended to eat the fish. Then he tossed it back in the river.

Here I am with my cool straw hat and green kayak. This river had very few rapids, though it might have more if the water level was higher?

Jimmy posing on a rock as a mer-man. Hawt!

The second day Mom and Dad came and joined us. I like dragging my parents along on things like this. Their canoeing skillz were a bit rusty and they tipped numerous times but still had fun. I’m really glad they came!

A really awesome jumping rock. The second day was sunnier and much hotter.

Here is a crawdad grant caught. Looks like a small lobster to me.

Enjoying a nice lunch under a grove of willow trees.

What a great way to spend a weekend!

Another week, another post about kayaking. Sunday a few of us loaded up and floated from my house to Carl Junction… which I estimate to be about 10 miles. This was only the second time i’ve floated downstream from the farm, but once again it was very nice. It’s been über dry lately so the water was probably a good foot lower than a couple weeks ago – a bit slower, but a great float and a great day nonetheless.

I was also on a mission to trim various branches that hang into the river from recent storms… which was a good idea in theory but I should have known it wasn’t a good idea to try and trim branches while standing in a kayak that was tied to a paddle being held by a friend standing on the shore. Good thing I bought that water proof camera case.

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Here is one of my new favorite spots along the river. It’s just a ways down from the western boundary of the farm.

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Grant and Matt enjoying a sack lunch on the cool rocks.

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In this slow spot we stumbled across a cool rope swing hanging over the river. So we each had a go at it.

I have recently discovered something about my state that I like a lot. It appears I have taken the access to river ways for granted. Apparently residents of other states, such as Kansas, who enjoy floating do not have the same opportunities as we do in the Show-Me State.

Generally speaking I think Kansas is a fine state, but I am going to pick on it here just because I have been enlightened on their issues and did a bit of research to confirm what I heard. Turns out that Missouri and Kansas regulations are similar on paper… both say that if a waterway is navigable then it’s public property. The difference is that MO uses this to provide public access, and KS uses it to restrict it. In Missouri, if it is physically possible to float it then chances are you have the right to do it. Kansas has determined that only 3 rivers in the entire state are ‘navigable’ and they are the barge sized mega-rivers that I can’t imagine anyone wanting to float in. Apparently, several rivers that are routinely floated further upstream in Missouri, such as nearby Spring River or Shoal Creek have been officially designated as ‘off-limits’ in Kansas.

The act of floating in Kansas isn’t actually illegal and it’s not to say that people can’t and don’t ever float in Kansas…but it is trespassing since the state lets private individuals have total ownership of their section of the river. Additionally, landowners can, and do construct various obstacles, barriers, barbed wire fences, dams, or whatever else they feel like. Personally I think this is a terrible and selfish approach and will lead to damaged and impaired rivers that are sorely under appreciated and largely unknown to the public. I know I didn’t fully appreciate area rivers until I started experiencing them and realizing how great they actually are.

Anyways… I am glad Missouri recognizes that rivers are bigger than any one person’s property and does not allow an individual to claim ownership of it. I am glad we Missourians have the opportunity to enjoy and appreciate the state’s rivers, large and small.

I read in the Joplin Globe that someone in the Missouri legislature has submitted a bill that would ban various types of party/drinking paraphernalia including kegs, beer bongs, and mardi-gras beads on rivers in Missouri. I can’t imagine that legislation will get much traction in a state where so many people value their rights to be a redneck more than protecting natural resources like rivers. But if it did I have to admit that I would be glad. Mainly because the way I like to enjoy Missouri rivers is in total contrast to the way many Ozarkers do these days…loud, drunk, and obnoxious. This type of behavior is not allowed in city parks, state parks, or really anywhere in public, so I don’t really get why it has become acceptable to degrade a public river in such a way in the first place.

Truth be told, I honestly wouldn’t care if they banned alcohol outright because this would leave the river to those who want to actually enjoy the river itself. The rednecks and college kids can party in their trailers or frat houses to their hearts content as far as I’m concerned. Maybe a reasonable compromise where you get a maximum of say, a six pack for every 1 person on the river. It just seems unfortunate to me that the river is more about drinking than it is about the river to so many people.

Realistically I know how Missourians love their cigarettes and beer, so I think it would be unlikely to ever pass such a measure. It’s one of those things where if it hadn’t become such a mainstay for so many people, it may almost seem logical that these types of items and activities would be prohibited on rivers. But try and take it away and I’m sure rednecks will come out in droves in support of “their rights” to be irresponsible and inconsiderate. I’m just thankful that the river I most frequent does not have this problem whatsoever – probably because there are no canoe rental facilities.