The Bluff City Canoe Club (BCCC) celebrated fall in the Ozarks in October once again as we have for over 30 years by paddling, camping, hiking and exploring the area around Eminence, Missouri. Padders and friends began arriving Monday and continued throughout the week. Those who were there hunkered down during a rainy-day mid-week were rewarded with the best rainbows and higher water for paddling and playing on the river. The forested hills with bluffs surrounding many of the riverbanks are always breathtaking with the fall colors just beginning to change.
Pop up groups emerged and explored the sites on foot, vehicle or boat in the Mark Twain National Forest, with folks paddling various sections of the Current and the Jack’s Fork of the Current River. It was great to watch the trail riders on horseback during river crossings, absorb the beautiful red reflection of the Alley Springs Mill on the blue spring, and smell the fresh air in the area with the most natural springs in the world.
But it wasn’t all nature – Eminence serves the best ice cream, Mexican food and other delicious treats making it fun to take a break from camp cooking and enjoy friends and refuel. A wonderful special event this year was when some fellow campers performed their favorite country and bluegrass songs by the light of the fire for over an hour – the Banjo player was in his 90s and didn’t miss a beat! Thanks to the Landers for making that magic happen, and John Adams for building the best firelight for visibility and warmth.
I was thrilled to paddle the Current River (Pulltite to Round Springs) on both Friday and Saturday. Friday had 11 boaters and Saturday there were 15 paddlers, 14 boats. Thanks to Jimmy Burkeen for introducing a stop along the river to hike to Pulltite cabin at the head of Pulltite Spring, the 13th largest spring in Missouri and accessible only by water. Not long after that, we found a pair of otters one day, and family of three the next—remarkably, they some of the largest river otters we had ever seen! Birds were abundant including great blue herons, belted kingfishers, pileated woodpeckers, and an eagle or two for a highlight. The bluffs are always spectacular, and it was fun to paddle through a cavern on the Current taking in the cool air and fresh spring water.
I’m already looking forward to next year’s adventure in the area with Bluff City Canoe Club members. I hope you can join us too.