Yesterday was my wife and I's anniversary. One of our first trips together was a kayak tour through the bayou in Louisiana. I feel in love with her and kayaking on that trip. I couldn't think of a more fitting way to spend the day than on the river with my beautiful wife.
We decided to try out the Jack Fork River. It is about 3 hours from our house so it was quite a haul. We decided to go with an outfitter to rent out kayaks due to distance and not having to transport ours that distance. We used Harvey's Alley Springs Canoe Rental. We were able to register online and check in process was fairly easy. The price was affordable and the little store was clean. We got there around 1015 and they had us on the water by 1030. We were very pleased with their service.
We put in at Alley Springs. The river is spring feed and very cool. The outside temperature was about 70 degrees when we started so it was perfect day to be out. The water is also crystal clear. Being a Monday we had the river to ourselves.
The first 5 miles of this trip I was struck by how remote the area is. There are no roads, vehicle noises, or houses. The sounds of nature are all that can be heard and it's amazing. I like to do mindfulness meditation and being on the river in a spot like this really helps me focus on the here and now. All other concerns or issues I am having go out of my head and I am purely focused on reading the river and observing/listening to nature. It is very therapeutic.
The first 5 or 6 miles of this trip the river was moving pretty good. We were averaging about an 18 minute mile with minimal paddling. The river changed speeds and depths throughout this section and it was a very enjoyable paddle.
Around mile 6 we started passing the campgrounds. The remoteness slowly dwindled area and gave way to riverside cabins. Our goal was the Eminence bridge as we had to hit it by 130 pm in order to complete the 15 mile trip before the outfitter closed. We made it with time to spare and decided to take our lunch in the kayaks.
This trip for me was a tale of two rivers. Before the bridge the water was fast moving and the area was remote. After the bridge the current really slowed down. It required quite a bit more paddling than the first section. There were some very cool rock formations and caves throughout this second section of the trip.
I am not sure what it is about confluences but the water really seems to slow down a few miles before rivers meet up. The last 4-5 miles of this trip reminded me of the Bourbeuse and Meramec confluence, slow and required a lot of paddling. At one point I turned to Lea and commented that this was the longest 3 miles we had ever kayaked. The nice scenery made up for the slower water.
We met our outfitter right after the confluence of the Jack Fork and Current. They were there waiting for us which was a nice surprise after a 15 mile paddle. A short ride back to our car and our day on the river was done.
Overall we liked the Jack Fork. It's hard to beat the crystal clear, cold water. Also the remoteness of most of the sections was a great way to plug into nature. Being that it was "off-season" and a Monday we had the river to ourselves. However, with all the outfitters and cabins along the way I imagine this section gets pretty busy during the summer months. The last section kind of dragged but overall it was enjoyable . It was a great way celebrate our anniversary and any day on the water beats a day in the office.
Our goal is to float all rivers and streams listed in the paddlers guide. What should we do next? Here is our progress to date:
South Fabius
Lamine River
Platte River
Salt River and Tributaries
Grand River and East Fork Tributary
Missouri River
Sac River
Bear Creek
Cedar Creek
Pomme de Terre River
Niangua River
Moreau River and Tributaries
Small Tributaries of the Osage
Gasconade River and Tributary
Osage Fork of the Gasconade
Big Piney River
Meramec River X
Bourbeuse River. X
Big River X
Courtois Creek. X
Huzzah Creek. X
Spring River
Center Creek
Shoal Creek
Elk River
Big Sugar Creek
Little Sugar Creek
Indian River
James River and Tributaries
Roaring River
Flat Creek
Bull Creek
Swan Creek
Beaver Creek
North Fork of the White River
Bryant Creek
Current River
Jacks Fork River X
Eleven Point X
Black River. X
St. Francis River
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