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In June, Troop 221 loaded up 25 scouts and 17 adults and headed to the Buffalo National River in Northwestern Arkansas. This was our 2nd attempt at what has become an outstanding Troop 221 Tradition. We had so much fun last year that our group grew from 18 to 42. Click the image to see the whole gallery.
I have to start the trip report with a huge thanks to Mr. Kosofsky. Taking 42 folks, mostly rookies, on a 3 day 25-mile canoe trip is a humongous undertaking. In the end, the group was successful because we had vision, set goals, practiced and were prepared. None of those things happen without outstanding leadership; thanks Mr. K; you rock!
Trip Report:
After a month of canoe instruction and a canoe qualifying campout, we sat out to tackle our second 25 mile stretch of the Buffalo National River. We met Tuesday evening to load the trailer, including nearly 1,000 lbs of water. Wednesday afternoon we met in the parking lot and we loaded up the food and hit the road. We drove about 5 hours to DeGray Lake in Arkadelphia, AR. We arrived around 8:00 pm, visited with the ranger for awhile, and made camp. After a cracker barrel, a few showers and hundreds of lightning bugs, we went to bed.
Thursday started with a 6:00 am reveille, a quick breakfast and a few final adjustments to our trailer full of gear. We arrived at Buffalo River Outfitter's in Silver Hill, AR around 11:00 am. We shuffled cars, bought a few last minute items, rented 21 canoes & loaded the bus to head to the river. We arrived at Mt. Hersey, unloaded the trailer, ate lunch and started loading gear into our canoes. Mr. Beckman took the group thru a Safety Afloat refresher and then we were off. We got about 5 minutes downriver before we had our first encounter with rocks and swift currents. After a pretty quick rescue, the rest of the canoes were safely guided thru and away we went. Some folks fished, a few paddled and we arrived at the gravel bar across from Skull Bluff around 6:45 pm.
Mr. Cleckler & Mr. Gray had a fire going pretty quickly and the 5 patrols prepared dinner. By the time we finished dinner and KP, it was pretty late and the group was exhausted. We had to bail on our first night's campfire program and hit the rack. It was a long day but also a day full of accomplishments.
Friday started with a 5:30 am reveille. Mr. Buercklin got an early morning photo of our bugler. This was our 3rd campout with a bugler and to hear reveille and taps ringing out over the water and off of the high rock bluffs - it's SO awesome! The first of our 21 canoes took off around 8:20 am. Friday was all about the fishing contest and the first fish was hauled in at 8:38 am. There were dozens and dozens of fish caught on Friday. Brandon caught 10 to claim the "Most Fish" trophy and Justin caught a 13" Smallmouth Bass to claim the "Biggest Fish" trophy. All in all, we had a great day on the water: we shot quite a few rapids and only had a half dozen or so capsized canoes. Aside from a long day on the water, our largest challenge was a bee sting about 45 minutes from camp (resulting in 2 epi-pen injections & 75 mg of Benadryl for Mrs. Stagich). She went to bed early but thankfully made a full recovery... Mr. Green taught the boys how to clean and filet a fish and Mr. Buercklin showed them how to cook it on hot rocks.
Since we were on schedule Friday, we had a great campfire program with Tall Tales and a couple Ozark Mountain songs. Our campfire was one of the more scenic campfires that we've experienced in some time. You'll see photos of a few of the boys sitting on a bucket telling their tall tales. It was a great way to end an amazing day.
Saturday started bright and early. We took a group photo in our BRCT 2011 t-shirts and hit the water around 8:15 am. We had an uneventful float to our destination at the Hwy 65 bridge. The first group arrived around 11:00 and started the arduous process of unloading and reloading gear into the trailer. We arrived at the outfitters around noon, had a quick lunch and hit the road for the Sylamore Creek Campground (and showers).
All 42 of us managed to run thru the 3 or 4 showers at the camp and we headed off to dinner at Jo-Jo's Catfish Wharf. Dinner was great; Mr. Martinez jumped in to help the waitstaff while Ms. Conway handed out awards for the Fishing and Tall Tale contests. After dinner, the boys went right to the playground and got on board the merry go round. Fortunately, everyone survived the "wheel of hurl" and we were able to head downtown for some folk music and ice cream. Our music experience was ok this year; not as impactful as last year but we'll try again next summer. The group enjoyed some ice cream and we headed back to camp for our final evening.
Sunday we slept in (6:30 am) and after another quick breakfast, the boys packed the trailer so we could head home. We circled up for Roses, Buds and Thorns and left for Plano.
We arrived in Plano around 6:00 pm. We were exhausted but we got our money's worth and have lots of stories to tell. I just can't say enough about our Troop and the amazing scouts and adults in it. For the planning, the preparation, the execution, the transportation, the photography, the adventure and the leadership; I am amazed, humbled and SO thankful to be a part of such a fine group. Let's do it again next June!
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