By Charlie and Rhoda Transue, Highlands Chapter
The long tradition of the Ozark Society Buffalo River float continued this year with a float during the first week of June. The float occurred in the midst of an unusually rainy spring that began in the middle of April and had not quite relented when we started our float. One word would describe this year’s float, and that word was “luck” because the float occurred between river rises and floaters only had to bear two morning showers.
The float began at Carver with the arrival of a varied mix of watercraft that included rafts, canoes, kayaks, and a dory. The license plates reflected Ozark Society members from the heart of the Ozarks and beyond from Louisiana in the south, Indiana and Iowa in the north, and Texas and Oklahoma in the west. Once trip leader Stewart Noland arrived on the gravel, the logistics operation began. The large group of 32 was divided into two groups, and equipment and provisions were divided between them. Once the watercraft were loaded, the shuttle to Dillard’s ferry at Highway 14 was made on a Wild Bill’s school bus with padded seats and seat belts.
The 58-mile float commenced with a short float from Carver to Copper Bluff downstream of Mt. Hersey. The two groups made camp on their respective adjacent gravel bars. The first business after landing on the gravel bar across from the bluff was completing the group tasks of erecting the tarp, setting up the kitchen, and placing the groover. Dinner was a group effort from its making to its cleanup. As happened each evening, a Dutch oven dessert delivery was made from Group 2 to Group 1. On Monday evening, the Dutch oven was filled with delicious lemon bars. Desserts on following nights included brownies, pecan pie, pineapple upside down cake, and oatmeal cake.
Breakfast was another group effort with English muffins and oatmeal alternating with pancakes every other day. After breakfast, the camp was broken down and the day’s float began. Lunches were simple affairs with lunch makings set out on tables by each group.
Tuesday’s camp was made at Jamison Bluff a couple of river miles below Woolum; Wednesday’s camp was made at Arnold Bluff above Arnold Island; Thursday’s camp was made just below Ezell Hollow after finding the idyllic gravel bar at Red Bluff already filled; and our last camp on Friday night was made at Spring Creek Bluff, whose shape is that of hill instead of the usual flattop.
On the float to Thursday’s camp, lunch was enjoyed on the Gilbert gravel bar where ice was obtained at the historic Gilbert General Store. Floaters recalled their childhoods with purchases of ice cream bars and sodas. The departure from the Ezell Hollow camp on Friday morning was delayed by a morning shower during which the groups huddled under tarps and enjoyed conversations. Skies cleared by Friday afternoon, and a lovely last camp was made across from Spring Creek Bluff. On Saturday morning, thunderstorms were forming to the west, and a dash was made to the take-out at Highway 14 after breaking camp early. The thunderstorm caught us before reaching the take-out, and one tremendous clap of thunder made the crescendo of the storm.
Leading down to the gravel bar below the Highway 14 bridge, the road was muddy, slick, and eroded, making driving and walking a challenge. Again, group effort made the loading of boats and gear an enjoyable and quick task.
Driving home to Tulsa, we observed the Illinois River out of its banks east of Siloam Springs. Those western storms contributed to a rise on the Buffalo that traveled downstream. With lucky timing, the Ozark Society missed a river rise by only a day. Quoting trip organizer Stewart Noland, “I’ll take the luck.” With luck and camaraderie, the Ozark Society Buffalo River float tradition continues.