Spring River Trip Report

“MrsChili36 and I departed Memphis at 8:30 PM on Friday and after stopping at her place for necessities, we arrived at Many Islands Camp at midnight. After driving through the camp, we ultimately located a camp spot about 50 yards from the Spring River and immediately set out to set up the tent. I had used my headlamp in Illinois and had put in new batteries before that trip. Knowing I only used it for less than an hour (intermittent), I did not worry about checking it and thus, as soon as I turned it on to pitch the tent, found out that a lightening bug gave up more light than the lamp. No problem, I had another so I put it on to find out it was as good as two lightening bugs. Oh well, it was a clear night and there wasn’t much to putting up a tent anyway. About the time I got through getting camp together, I found the spare batteries.

After downing a couple of cold brewskies MrsChili36 and I hit the sack (no innuendo) anticipating meeting Moz, Mather and Lizard the next morning and floating the upper Spring River. The next morning we were up at dawn, had pancakes and sausage, a couple cups of coffee, and went to the store to meet Moz who promptly arrived with his new kayak at 9AM. After greeting Mozark, Mather and Lizard, we shuttled up to Dam #3 where MrsChili and I launched in our rented canoe and waited for Moz and Lizard. (Mather was doing homework involving differential equations for the day).

The first mile was rather uneventful with the four of us floating along having a nice chat. By this time it was after 10, and determining that the 11 o’clock beer rule was not in effect, I had a cold one and MrsChili decided that she wanted one also. Things went well the first two or three miles and we managed to take every rapid in fine order. I must point out that Lizard can really paddle because at this point I don’t think Mozark had even got his paddle wet.

MrsChili36 has considerable experience with a canoe and we were working pretty well as a team. At some point, however, oh say about 6 beers later, I did happen to notice that the front of the canoe had a definite wobble in it as we approached rapids. I began to give MrsChili more instructions on which side she needed to be paddling and soon discovered if she just held on, I could get us through. Well, we managed very effectively until the first stop.

The can man had set up shop and having 10 or so empties, we decided we needed to stop and support his enterprise. Coincidentally with this decision, MrsChili decided it was time for a bio break and as soon as I guided the canoe into the bank she stands up and steps out without notifying the driver she was disembarking the vessel. Needless to say she landed in 2 inches of water and I was upside down, under the canoe in about 4 feet of water. The good folks in the other 20 canoes at this point found great humor in it all. Oh well, it was getting warm and a good dunk wasn’t too bad so after they helped me roll the canoe and get everything back in and secured, MrsChili comes traipsing out of the woods with a smile and a “sorry honey”. Off we went. For the next half a mile everyone on the River remarked at how quickly my poly shirt dried.

Well, it didn’t take long to accumulate some more cans and the wobble in the front became more pronounced. As expected, we got wet a couple of times as we went and on the third occasion, MrsChili made some new friends (they were really cool people from Memphis) and we spent a half hour on a gravel bar (appropriate) next to a rapid drinking beer and conversing with our new found friends watching every second canoe go over in the rapid. It was really pretty good entertainment, but when we began to run low on beer, I made a command decision to move on. At this point we only had about 2 miles to finish up and so off we went with Mozark and Lizard in the lead. (Moz was able to make better time at this point, and I tend to believe the complete abstinence from adult beverages might have contributed to this on his part). However, it wasn’t too bad until we approached a rapid where I had seen Moz and Lizard enter ahead of us. Just as we entered the current, I saw Moz and Lizard up near the bank bailing water and thought they were going over. I took corrective action, cut to the left, Mrs Chili cut to the right and off we went grinding over the rocks until someone pulled the banged up MrsChili from the water and took the swamped canoe over to the bank. She was a trooper and didn’t whine although she bumped her ribs and knee pretty hard. After a short rest, we decided to wrap it up. MrsChili was a little gun-shy at this point and at the next rapid, told me to let her out on the bank and she would walk around and meet me on the other side. Spring Oak Campground was at this point and so she gets out, I float another 50 yards down, pull in and wait for MrsChili. Thinking maybe she was on a bio break I didn’t worry the first 10 minutes but then got out, and made my search. After 40 minutes with no MrsChili in sight I determined the only thing left was to hit the water, catch Mozark, get to Many Islands, get my keys from Mather (who was insuring them against loss) and drive back to Many Islands.

After getting there and helping Mozark get his kayak out of the water and on the rack, I went up to our campsite in the event Mrs Chili had managed to get back some other means other than by boat. Sure enough, there she was, conked out in the tent, snoozing away. I later found out she got to the road, saw someone headed out the road toward Many Islands, hitched a ride and left me to get back on my own. According to her, she “mis-communicated” LMAO. Mather, Mozark and Lizard wanted to say goodbye to her, but she was out like a light.

Well, we are alive and well but I have decided MrsChili36 might be limited to four mile trips in the future.

It was great to meet Mather and Lizard and to see Mozark again. All in all, it was a great day, weather was perfect and MrsChili provided considerable entertainment along the way. We will do it again.

Oh, and MrsChili is a little red this morning. Something about being out in the sun all day in a swim suit without sun block. Being from Lower Alabama and having grown up in the warm sun of the Gulf of Mexico, I did have to point out that “I told her so”.”

“Sounds like a good time. Thanks for the report!!”

“Oh good. The newbie got a sunburn.

We can start recommending alternate names now.

Sounds like fun, chili! Except for the part where she went back to camp without telling you, and then passed out. But hey, that can be fun too.


You did take pics of her in that state, right? Oh wait, you're not married yet. Guess that answers my question, lol.....”

“actually mozark took one where MrsChili looks "very happy"”

“hahahahahahaha!”

“sounds like a good time...Glad you all made it out alive...and in relatively good health. Sunburn excleded of course...”

“Good trip report Chili36!

The float trip was lots of fun and I'm ready to hit the Spring River again in say in late August or early September. The river will be less crowded. Plus it may be one of the few rivers in Arkansas with sufficient water in it to float. So Chili36, MrsChili36, Stratdewd, Jgiles, Arky, backpacking Paul, Katru(bring Stikmon), Stalker, Prowler....be ready! I may even return again in July but will be with a group of teenagers so I'll warn you before hand so you can avoid the Spring River that weekend.LOL

I can't figure out why I was so tired Sunday when Lizard did all of the paddling.LOL I just heard from Mather and apparently it caught up with Lizard who is sleeping in this morning (Monday).

Strat it is a fun river for kids especially the upper end from Dam Site 3 to Spring Oaks. The camp ground at Springs Oaks is also very nice with the necessary facilities.

Later, Moz”

“Chili-maybe instead of limiting the mileage you should limit the beers. Sheesh.”

“Good point, tb.”

“Good report Chili. Maybe I can make the next trip. I need a trip to the creek very badly. I hope the headache after all that sun & fun wasn't too bad.”

“Great pics!

Mrschili looks amazingly like my wife's best friend in those pics, lol...”

“Better than looking like your best friends wife I suppose!”

“MrsChili thought she was standing straight in one of those pictures where she is tilted to her left. Then again, she thought she was sitting perfectly still in the canoe also.

;-)

BTW, she cannot get out past the firewall to see the pics, so she is going to go nuts wondering what they look like.”

“I think you guys had more fun than I did! Imagine me with my bottom lip poked out....”

“LOL mather. It was a fun trip. You have to make the next one. MrsChili just checked in to work. You will get her version in a few minutes, LOL.”

“This oughta be good. I await her report with bated breath, lol...”

“Yes I want to here her side of the story. Probably like you chased a bikini clad honey over a water fall and completely forgot about her. Then she had to walk 10 miles (uphill) with 2 broken ribs back to camp! LOLLLLL”

“...where she passed out from internal blood loss, and all you could do was try to prod her awake so you could say goodbye to your buddies.

This could get good.”

“At least I got the canoe back to where it was supposed to be.”

“Yeah, not making it back with a canoe on time would be almost as bad as being late with a DVD at Blockbuster Video!

Okay, Dawn we are waiting for your side of the story!!! Take two aspirins and start typing..”

“I cant believe you chili. PAYBACKS are hell!! It was a great trip!! Cant lie, its all true. Ready to do it again.”

“Red Dawn...lol.....”

“Funny thing. She hasn't as much as mentioned taking a drink since Saturday afternoon. LOL.

She did cook supper last night and bring me a plate to work today. I still think she is a keeper.”

“LMAO @ bitpusher. I think you have something there because she is candycane red today.”

“Now that it is settled when is the next SR float?”

“Not funny you guys I am HURTING”

“First weekend in August would be good, moz.”

“Solarcaine, anyone?”

“Yep, Red Dawn it is!”

“I have solarcaine”

“My wife get badly sunburned recently (forgot to put sunblock on her legs) and Solarcaine helped, but didn't completely take the sting away. My brother suggested another anesthetic cream, but my wife found out it was prescription only. Can't remember the name.”

“Oops, that should be "got". Damn tenses.”

“I will fight for mrschili36. I will not give that name up!!!!!!!!!”

“But darlin, don't you think MrsRedDawnChili36 is a little lengthy for the trail?”

“Chili, next time, when she asks you to put sunblock on her back, use one of those sunblock sticks and write something funny, like "Red Dawn" on her back.

Women love that.”

“not funny”

“OK, OK, I'll stop...”

“LMAO bitpusher. That just about guaranteed she will never ask me to apply sunblock.”

“The whole thing is reminding me of one of my old girlfriends, who had a bikini that was a red and white stripe pattern. Naturally, the white stripes let more sun through than the red stripes, so yes, you guessed it, she had light tan stripes on her behind.

Ah, those were the days...”

“did I see all the PICS?”

“Yes darlin, I sent all of them to you.”

“Trust is a wonderful thing...”

“What, no votes for "LobsterGirl"? <G>”

“candycane, Red Dawn, LobsterGirl my my how many names can I have”

“This TrailTalk; you can have as many as you want, LOL... One for each day of the week and three spares for Sunday afternoon.”

“LMAO @ tilt. No $h!t. Doesn't everyone have three or four names here?”

“then serious remedy is called for...use white vinegar and swab it on with a cotton ball...it INSTANTLY takes the pain away...and it will stay away for quite some time.

It isn't the most pleasant cure, but it is the only one that works, guaranteed!!!.

Think I'll pass on the spring till all the "bennies" are gone.

or I'll take a midweek and go run it when all the "bennies" are not present.

Sounds like you all had a fun time.”

“thanks for the thought. I cant believe you didnt show up I am hurt deepley....crying here.”