Frosty Blue Balls Float

“Hey....you just have to get used to sleeping on a thermarest......I prefer a hard bed, so sleeping on the ground isn't a big deal for me....but if you like a soft bed, you may be in trouble.....I have trouble with my back if I don't make sure my head is on a pillow......I hope it isn't going to be too cold...I sure would like to see some snow though......”

“Boil water, pour into nalgene bottle, and put the bottle in the foot of the bags...(Yeah, I know it's an old solution but it works.....).

http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=5034A700&categoryid=3000

The heater is small but will warm the interior of the tent...

as for staying comfy, lay out all your unused clothing, coats, etc. in the floor of the tent before you place the thermarest on the floor...more insulation and more padding...”

“for some reason my normal login is not working so this is another TT name for cobbler guy. I have my new boat ordered and it should be here by the trip Wave Sport Diesel 75, citrus in collar. I am stoked to go playing in this boat.

http://www.wavesport.com/kayaks/diesel/75.php”

“hopw 2005 is a great one. since it will be starting out with a trip on the eleven point river in its first month it should be a good one.

Later.”

“I wish I had looked at my last post and edited them more hopw should have been hope and Eleven Point should have been capitalized. Hey troll both ideas good one I may have even better ones. I use a reusable heater that has to be boiled to be activated. Put in the bag warm right before bed time you would get the same effect as the nalagene bottle but with the added benefit of being able to activate them and get another burst of warmth after they have cooled off. You will find them here.
http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=2607&parent_category_rn=4500521&vcat=REI_SEARCH
I also have a slightly larger heater for the tent. It also is a coleman and can be found here:
http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=5035-700&categoryid=3000
I have a stove and a lantern both are small and work on th same fuel. So three cylinders of fuel and I have heat for some cooking, warmth and light for the entire trip. I also picked up a thick thermarest deluxe camprest mattress and a zero degree bag so I should be OK just help my boy dosen't get too cold. I just wonder if nesting two bags a 20 degree mummy inside a 35 degree sleeping bag. He will have two single use heaters in the foot of his inside bag and two reusables up around his chest that he can reach to activate. But I still wonder on how well nesting two bags together will work. I use this technique in Colorada when my boys where much younger and I put them both in single doubled 35 degree bags in 29 degree snow storm at leadville. It worked then but we were all cold in the morning. Is there any way to know how cold this setup should be rated to?”

“I have a new boat...her name is the "Drowning Witch". That story shall be told in its entirety on the 2005 MLK Float trip to the Points. So, don't worry so much about space. Dav...bring your gear too...no point being cold...plus, if someone wants to use the Bunnie, she is available.

I have a suggestion for an extra pad layer for you...go to Walmart and get one of them blue closed cell foamy things and use that under your thermarest. Works GREAT!!!

Lookin forward to seeing everbody.

Owl, you gonna join us rotten no good car campin floaters? Its a new year and I'm all better now.”

“If you've got space available CG, maybe take a fleece bag to use as the inside bag in whatever you take? You can get them for around $10 at Wally World. I know I sure like fleece... it's so much cozier (and warmer to me) than just the silky inside of the sleeping bag.”

“or was that were the story of the drowning witch comes in. I guess I have to name my boat too. I called the old one little blue but this one will be a citrus colored river tamer. We can work on it on the FBB float. I will be open to sugestions. I called today and it should be in Fayetteville in the next couple of days. Or at least it should if the weather dose not go to heck in a hand bag. I know div reads this thread so I have to give her grief: too young, dose not back pack you do not know me too well. My last serious girlfriend is 57 so there and while I have not done much backpacking lately I used to spend a great deal of time in the wichita mountains of south west oklahama and I have a very nice jansport frame back pack. I also have done a lot of bicycling in my time including a through ride of the Katy trail four years ago. In fact I was wondering if any of you would be interested in a pedal paddle trip on the mighty MO this summer? Maybe putting the boats and gear for the float at Booneville then moving cars and bikes to St. Charles then peddaling back to Boonevile and floating back to St Charles. It could make for an interesting trip. would have to find a secure place to store gear in boonevile. My last trip on Katy was car supported. We can discuss this at FBB float.

later,
Cobbler Guy”

“stik:

I may join you guys; just depends what the whitewater situation is like around here.

I'd certainly be interested in a river trip on the Buffalo if y'all ever decide to do one.

I was backpacking on the the Buffalo River trail over the past weekend. It was so warm I had to keep reminding myself it was not Spring!

CG: What boat did you get?”

“I have ordered a Wave Sport Diesel 75 its a kind of SUV of the white water boats. Nice planning hull so it can surf and play yet with enough volume to do steep creeking, if I get a notion to. I just got into paddling this year and have been paddling a Swifty 9.5, Perceptions low end recreational boat, this season. I have though had several lessons from a local paddler by the name of Terry DeMoe in a white water boat. I had bought a Wave Sport Forplay used earlier this season but it was too small, it is around a 50 gallon displacement boat and it felt really shakey for a 240 lb. paddler. My son though loved it and it was a perfect fit for him. I am hoping to get some pool time at a local indoor pool prior to our trip. If not I will take it the lake, wearing a wet suit, and do a wet exit or two. I should have read the instruction manual for becoming a proficient paddler better, I missed the chapter on mandatory membership in the polar bear club. I will though be comfortable in it by the trip. Here is a link to Wave Sports page describing my new boat:

http://www.wavesport.com/kayaks/diesel/75.php

Later,
Cobbler Guy”

“Time to let your insanity be known. We need a better count on whose going to be there. Dutch Oven Dave and maybe his better half, owl, sunday loafer and spike. Time to sign up. Stand up be counted and testify. I know your out there. But knowing Dave and stik there still will be plenty of groceries in the cooler for a suck in or two. I should know I was a suck in on the T-day trip (I did pitch in cash for groceries though). I hope this will be every bit as good as that awesome trip in November. I know that some of you are waiting to see what the weather is going to do. I will have a problem getting there myself if the weather turns really nasty. The problem is planning on how much groceries to bring. So if you are leaning towards going on this trip sign up if the weather does turn nasty and you know you can not make it post a message here saying so. Those of us bringing groceries will plan on the bigger number and there will be plenty for all. If you do not sign up then we will plan of too small of group and it could be a problem. Especially, if we get a whole lot of last minute joiners.
Later,”

“So, we are camping at Greer Fri eve....and then what.........floating Sat & Sun and then?????......be gentle..I have a 7-8 hour drive home......”

“and I quote Meet Sat morn at the meeting spot, set sail @ 9am, set camp @3 Just a short bit past Ewkers dump site is My Favorite Spot (MFS), Then on Sunday nite we can stay at Turtle Cove, another great site. and paddle out on Monday.

So if you get there friday you may be on your own. I can't make it till sat am at earliest with commitment that my son has. If he keeps aggrevating me I may just leave him in Oklahoma but Sat am is still looking like best I can do. I was thinking two days of floating with a travel day either Monday but you may be more pervasive than I can. We are less than two weeks out so a set agreed on plan needs to be worked out. Also would like to discuss the shuttle plans so that we get that worked out a little better than last time.”

“and I see where stik invited you to his house on Friday night Divinity. Maybe you can talk him into a frosty night of camping instead. Say Div did you ever get a plug for the drain on your boat? I might be able to make a copy of mine out of aluminized bronze prior to the trip. I know a machinist or two who enjoy a challenge. That is if I can get the old one out without damaging the keeper. Might be good to have to keep some very cool water out of your boat.”

“yes...Stikky did say that......I am old and forgetful.....I will leave after work on Friday and go to Stikky's, ( and I get to visit with Khatru and his mother......wooo hoooo ) and ride with him to the river...

...and why do I need a plug?...


hahahahahaahaaha......”

“if people don't sign up and only show up, then they can bring their own food.

Duhvinity...we worked out the logistics already. My house fri night and river on Sat am. silly woman.

and sunday loafer and spike are trolls. They are not invited.

Hope you can make it owl. I promise not to give you a hug.”

“So...is it too early for a weather report???

What is the average temp that time of year???”

“it was 75 degrees last week at big bend national park, and this morning in springfield, mo it was about 16 degrees. in other words..... bring warm clothing!”

“I was in Missouri last weekend and it was way warm!!!......”

“With the quickly changing weather, you need to be prepared for everything between single digit tempatures at night to possible (but unlikely) tempatures near 70 degrees during the day”

“a little snow would be nice!!!”

“You can find a weather report here. Looks like we will have plenty of water. I need to find the water level and post a link for it. But here is the link to the forecast still to far ahead to predict next weekend.

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/data/forecasts/MOZ106.php?warncounty=MOC149&city=Alton”

“Hey Dave or Stick,

Do you know what was the level when we floated in Nov.? Currently the river is at a little of four feet at the Bardley gauge. You can follow it here.

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mo/nwis/uv?07071500”

“I have that album and is where I got the name from. I will more than likely paint that onto the new boat along with other writings all in Elvish. Spells of staying and power and safe watering.”

“Cool! Enjoy the new toy!”

“I certainly will. I'm contemplating an east coast venture in May. and the Witch and Bunnie may come along to float somewhere in the east. Maybe upper delaware or pine barrens.”

“Let us know, man! It's not far...”

“All this time I thought this was about a parade float. (Stupid!!)”

“you guys are like professionals and I'm not even in your league, so, I wouldn't want to be a burden to you or slow you up.”

“cuteeee...your funny. crak me up.”

“your a guy...I take that back!”

“Div, where were you? I was in Hannibal. 60s and shirt sleeves Friday. Just plain SUPERB!!! 50s, but rainy rest of weekend. Came home to the ice storm.... ugh! hey, you could have all this ice, would that be cool, or what???”

“Ok...I will be prepared for ANYTHING!!!....

Stikky....did I miss when you said what kind of boat you purchased?????”

“i do not have a written record but the water level was probably in the typical-late-fall range of about 1.75 - 2.25 (1.75 is the lowest that it normally gets). a 4' guage reading would be a quicker float. it would probably mean wetter and colder yakers. if the guage reading gets over 6, i would really begin to scrutinize people's abilities. some of the dangers with higher water levels include floating debris, main current going through obtacles which it normally goes around, and the loss of airspace between the water and overhanging trees.”

“only pahfesanals can come on high water...hehehe..

DaVinaty, I got a Discover Scout 16'. real classy lady, and she has already been baptised.”

“You guessed it more rain only only day between now and Friday not calling for rain and that is Friday. We had better watch the gauge closely anything over 6 and we might need to look at who is going and if it is really something we should be doing. I have only been a serious river rat for less than a year but I do know that you only float when the river says so. You just got to listen to what it is saying.”

“I sound pretty negative about the trip in last post and I do not mean to be. It is only probabilities of rain and who ever knew a weather forcaster to get that right especially for an entire week. We just need to keep an eye on the gauge and be prepared for any outcome. I really hope it stays sub 6 foot. At four feet Halls Bay Shoals should be a blast. Keep your fingers crossed or what ever you do to keep the river gods smiling on us.”

“"How to Keep the River Gods Smiling", for one week prior to any river trip, on your front lawn, it is necessary to have a roaring fire with your boat in company become ripping drunk and then dance nekkid around said fire. This must happen at 10pm each and every night for 7 days leading up to the trip. If this is done, then all will be well on the day of the proposed trip.

I know this...I'll be there no matter the weather or what the guage says. I've been on her at high water, but according to Dave and Wendy, that river can get OVER the Riverton Bridge, and if that happens, I'm stayin home or backpackin. Thats a scarry amount of water...shiver me timbers!!!”

“forcast is lots of cold!!!!!!”

“They are forecasting some snow possibly on Thursday. Guess you should be careful what you ask for. Hey the news is I have my new boat and I am looking for a pool to practice some wet exits and get a feel for her. Maybe even see if I can get a roll in her prior to the trip. Not that I will need it on the E.P.”

“end of subject. LOL

I have a giant ham that I am going to disect and bring a yank big enough to feed at least 5 persons. that will be me, duhvinity, Dave, cg and son. I will bring taters and vegis. Dinner #2 can be up to someone else. I will also bring pancakes and sausage for a breakfast. breakfast #2 is up to someone else. and of course...lunch is on each person.”

“Hey...I am packed and ready to go!!!!!




well...not quite.......actually not at all.......but I am thinking about it......”

“anymore. Maybe I'm a snob, maybe I'm just a trained pahfesanel, maybe I'm a butt head. But too much ado about a weekend gig. see ya there.”

“sheesh......”

“please semd me an e-mail at lvok@cox.net I need to contact you both I will send you an e-mail with my home phone. Or you can just send me your phone number. Dave I have tried calling you a couple of times and will try once more tonight.

Later,”

“see message dated 1/7

it looks like the level will be in my favorite zone....high enough to run with minimal use of a paddle, fewer rocks to avoid, but not so high to bring debris down the river.... a sweet float

I hope it starts snowing as soon as we get to the put-in......”

“you've got mail. Your welcome to call me now...


and Dave, what are you still doing at work???”

“In a message I sent to Div this afternoon I sent the following info and in an effort to get everybody on the same page here it is:

The more I think about this the more I know this is a bad idea for me and my son. I went on a trip a few years ago where it was cold but much warmer than we will see this weekend, and I got very cold, and very uncomfortable. I was miserable and it was one of the worst camping experiences in my life. I am probably being a chicken #&%!$ but I just don’t want to have a bad experience on this trip. I struggled with this a lot last night getting very little sleep in the process. I also have some other issues that I don’t wish to get into at this time but they also complicate the decision to make this trip. I was supposed to bring an Italian dish for supper one night and I was also going to bring the stuff for a cobbler. You should talk to stik and work out a replacement for this supper I know he is bringing one dinner and I was providing another. Knowing those two there probably will be enough food for an army but that is what I would suggest bringing. I know I will miss out on a good float with a great group of people. Take care and have fun try to stay warm.

sorry about the inconvienence I will call stik and Dave tonight to let them know what is going on as soon as possible.”

“Sorry to hear you are not going......getting wet in this cold is not a good idea!!!!...I plan on staying dry....LOL......”