Eleven Point River FLOAT Trip Report

“The Eleven Point Float Trip actually started in Spring Field, Missouri, Kennett, Missouri, and Sherwood, Arkansas. At least that is where the floaters set out from for this "eating" adventure. The floaters were Stikmon, Dutch Oven Dave, Paddlin Patty, Aaron and Mozark. We met up Saturday morning and hit the River at Greer's Landing. Floated about ten miles down this crystal clear "spring fed" river. DOD who is nearly a legend on the river showed us historical sites that we would have missed without his knowledge of the area. The river meanders through the Mark Twin National Forest and skirts the Irish Wilderness in Southern Missouri. In the 1800's it was extensively logged to build St. Louis and other cities in Missouri. Hence the large number of waterwheel powered mills along the river.

Enough about the river for now. Did I mention this was a "Float err Eating Trip"? Well you don't get a nickname like Dutch Oven Dave without some good reason. DOD doesn't just cook in a Dutch oven he cooks in several Dutch Ovens at a time. I knew Saturday evening was going to be special when Dave started looking for a place to set up camp very early in the afternoon. Imagine homemade baked beans, homestyle seasoned ham, Paddlin Patties special cole slaw, hot corn bread followed up with an excellent pineapple upside down cake. There is definitely a trick flipping those cakes. Refer to photos to be posted soon.
Geez, I slept with a full tummy after that feast. (I think I LIKE floatin. Why didn't I buy a canoe years ago?)

The next morning was a continuation of the eating frenzy. Dave started us off with cinnamon rolls. Yum, I scarfed down a huge one and then started packing the canoe then wait a minute Dave wasn't cleaning the Dutch Oven he was applying his secret ingredient to both Dutch ovens. REAL cow butter! Sausages started sizzlin, white gravel homemade bisuits and oh my god Dave had prepared thess 2 lb tators while he slept then night before and turned them into hash browns then scrambled some eggs. Geez this was a three hour feeding frenzy. Yep almost as long as that sentence. Man I had to head for the hammock between courses. One thing is for sure, Aaron didn't go home and say he was starved by his old man again.

Back to the float trip. Dave led us on another little side hike up to a incredible spring which had powered an old mill in the 1800(s). There is still a dam and water wheels parts lying around that make for nice photos. The spring well let's just say brought the little boys out of us one more time and Stikmon has photos to prove it! Brrr that water was cold but refreshing. Definitely the highlight of the trip.

Lunch? Sorry nothing to tell because that breakfast held us over for hoursssss.

Nice Float trip and a special thanks to Dave and Patty for the great food.


Now Stikmon where are the photos? People will think I just made this stuff up if you don't back me up with photos.

Moz”

“The truth to the tale has already been told...more food than ya can eat...crystal clear river...icy cold spring pools to jump in...gnarly "S" curves to navigate, all led to a great 2 day float!!! Thanks to Mozark and Aaron "The Extinguisher", for joining this outing...

There will be a repeat performance of this event on the Buffalo National River on 4th of July weekend.

Photos of this trip will be uploaded tonight...I was just too dang tired last night when I got home.”

“LUCKY DAWGS! hope to joinya next time....”

“Hope you guys aren't the a$$holes who throw their empties in the river, or leave a pile of ashes on a beach, or throw trash around.”

“i know these a$$holes personally and i'd be willing to bet they picked up other people's trash.....ashes on the beach never bothered me, they are natural and wash away....”

“Well SOMEBODY is doing it. I've seen it on two Ozark rivers so far this summer.”

“i know mutt...i can't imagine the mentality of someone going to a beautiful place...because it's beautiful...and then trashing it and making it ugly...amazing...

what rivers do you float? maybe we could hook up sometime...”

“Exactly. I've floated the Niangua and Current in May and June. I doubt I'll have the chance to do another until this fall. But I've done Jack's fork and 11 point as well. The Current and Jack's fork are my favorites.”

“i've been hearing alot of good things about the current lately...i'll have to check that out sometime...never heard of the other 2....

maybe you could join us for the lower buffalo at the end of the summer...”

“Mutt,

I don't know whether to laugh at your initial posting or be aggravated!

You wouldn't be the one that left the broken wine bottle at the 1st of three fire rings along a 25 foot stretch on a sand bar now would ya? Naw, your a trailtalker what was I thinking.

By the way, we are the ones that actually extinquished our fire and dug out the nonburnablessssss. Oh yeah, Dave hauled out a pile of someone else's beer cans. Shall I continue and make everyone think the 11 point is one big mess?

Actually, it was very clean considering the typical condition of some of the most heavily used rivers in the area.

Hey Stikmon do you think you could give me a little tan in those photos? I would hate for people to think their monitors are burning out on them when they view them.”

“your initial description of us is an offense!!! I won't even bother with any type rhetorical comeback...those that I have hiked/canoed with know what type of person I am, and as for those that I travel with...well I wouldn't want to be with any others!!!

As for the Current and Niangua, Jacks Fork...all party rivers and I wouldn't want to be on them when the weather is fine and the people are nasty...I'll stick with the 11 Points and the Buffalo...you can have the others.

Mozark...takes all kinds...and no, I can't give you a tan...I don't know how to do that...so warning to you all...its not your monitor.,..Its Mozark true color...white!!! hehehehe...try takin off that shirt and pant set up everyonce in a while, and you'll stop bein a white boy....LOL.”

“As for the Current and Niangua, Jacks Fork...all party rivers and I wouldn't want to be on them when the weather is fine and the people are nasty...I'll stick with the 11 Points and the Buffalo...you can have the others

LOL. Amateur. Go during the week and/or off season. Also, putting in higher up helps (ONSR rivers).”

“I WORK!!! and as for being an amateur...hush up! I lost that status many miles and much gear ago...fool yes...amateur, no...LOL

come out and play on the Buffalo on the 4th...gonna be quite a time...maybe we;ll even let you carry the trash out.”

“Thanks Stikmon”

“good pics stikkyhead”