The Buffalo River Chapter

Of THE OZARK SOCIETY

P.O. Box 105 Gilbert AR 72636 [email protected]

December/January 2008 Volume: 11 number: 6

Sept-“TheDec 2014 challenge goes on. There are other lands and rivers, other wilderness areas to save Volume:and share 17 Number:with 3 all. I challenge you to step forward to protect and care for the wild places you love best.” -Neil

The challenge goes on. There are other lands and rivers, Upon hearing about the death of longtime Ozark Society other wilderness areas, to save and to share with all. I member and friend Mary Virginia Ferguson on May 8th, it challenge you to step forward to protect and care for the was decided by the BRC to include a donation in her wild places you love best.” – Dr. Neil Compton memory as well. Her son John sent a lovely thank you note; here is an excerpt, “ One of Mom’s great loves was the education of our youth with meaningful programs. Buffalo River Reflections This program certainly fits that criteria.” May Mary by Laura Timby Virginia’s love of birds and nature live on in the hearts of our youth.

So much has happened on the Buffalo since our last The following is a thank you letter from one of this years newsletter went out in the spring. In case you are sponsored campers. wondering, computer issues and family travels prevented Thank you for my scholarship to be in this the July issue of Buffalo River Ramblings from going to camp. My favorite thing to do here is swimming and press. Hopefully this issue will fill that void. learning geology. Thank you, Wyatt Kellams All through June and July timely showers and moderate Short but sweet-it definitely warms the heart! temperatures had kept the river’s flow at a pretty decent level. Concessionaires and private boaters alike finally The BRC will be hosting this years Ozark Society had a good floating season! The last few weeks, as General Meeting at Buffalo Point (more information summer waned and temperatures soared, it had gotten follows under Meetings in this newsletter). Anyone pretty dry up here in Buffalo River Country. Just last interested in helping out should contact me~it would be night an intense storm cell passed through and this greatly appreciated. morning here in Gilbert we registered over 2 inches of rain—Hurray! Hopefully fall has arrived with the promise of cooler weather and more rain to come. A New Suit by Farrel Couch

At the BRC meeting this past May it was decided that the How could a good idea have gone so wrong, I thought as chapter would once again make a donation in memory of the sweat began to bead on my forehead. Weeks before our former BRC member and dear friend Gene Cutrell to during a cave trip into a wet cave, I had seen others with the Halberg Ecology Camp to sponsor a young camper. wet suits on and thought, I need one of those. How easy it Graciously the Ozark Society Foundation agreed to match would be just to slip into a waterproof trim fitting wet suit our contribution. His wife BJ wrote, “I cannot tell you and not have to be in sagging wet clothes. Not only during how much it means to me and my family to have Gene cave trips, but I might just want to take up canoeing or remembered in such a wonderful way. Gene always kayaking and I surly would need one of those for that. So wanted to be a teacher. I think that is why he loved the it was with great expectation that I kept my eye out for a ecology camp so much.” wet suit.

1 Well I found out that a wet suit is not an inexpensive Diamond Cave by Rick Hughes item, a good one could cost several hundred dollars. So when my wife and I found one at a local flea market for a This summer we had a nice outing to an old commercial reasonable price, I thought I had hit the jackpot. But not cave near Jasper. Our guide Kirby lives in the area. His knowing what size I needed or even how wet suits were family opened the cave in the 1930's and operated it for sized, left me in a rather odd predicament. So we got it many years before selling it. Kirby started working there from the rack and I held it front of me where the wife at a young age, following in the rear to turn off the lights could tell if it was my size. It looks like it would fit just that his father turned on at the front of the tour group. He right, she exclaimed, why don’t you go try it on. There’s a later worked for many years as a tour guide himself. He dressing room right over there. brought his dog, Sweetie, who is quite a caver although he did have to be rescued twice We were joined by some old Well the dressing room she had referred to was only a caving buddies, Mike from Lavaca who first took me into dressing room in the simplest sense, four plywood sheets this cave and Richard from Benton and Farrel who nailed together with a small door attached to the front. It brought several friends with him from NW . was warm weather and the flea market was in a large metal building with no air conditioning, so I knew the The tour starts at some large log structures that are dressing room would be even more stifling than it was out impressive for their craftsmanship and zigzags up the hill here in the booth. But I really wanted to see if the suit fit to the entrance. Once the door was unlocked we and I would be in there only a few minutes. So after descended concrete steps (I'm not sure how were made in entering the dressing room it was with great haste that I such a tight steep space) to the cave. The passages and removed my clothing, as I knew that I had to be down to rooms are well decorated with features large and small my skivvies in order to try it on. The legs went on fine though they did become much more impressive after a and looked like it was the right length, it was a bit tight long duck walk near the end with columns and flowstone but it’s supposed to be. I next wiggled it up my body almost filling the passage. The low handrails made the toward my shoulders put my left arm in and then up over duck walk easier. In places the water dripping onto my shoulder, boy it sure is tight and all the sweat I was handrails and fencing had built up into some nice producing made it a bit more difficult to manage. Alright decorations showing how long these had been in place. just one more shoulder and I’m in then all I need to do is We returned the way we came, and then out into the zip it up and show my wife and make my decision bright sunshine. For some a stop at the Ozark Cafe in whether to buy or not. This is where it all went wrong, as Jasper finished a nice trip. I tried to get it over my other shoulder, I couldn’t quite get it to the top of my shoulder. I wiggled and strained but TRAILBUILDERS TO CLOSE A VITAL LINK it just wouldn’t go, so I guess it isn’t my size after all. Ok well I know I need a larger one than this, time to take it by Ken Smith off. This fall, volunteers need to build one of the most isolated Well I didn’t know that sweat made such great glue. As I stretches of the Buffalo River Trail's extension from struggled and thrashed around in the small room, I knew Highway 65 to Highway 14. This piece of the trail isn't other people must have thought something very odd was very long - less than a mile. But it's up a rocky hillside, going on in there. My wife came to the door concerned, and requires driving several miles from the volunteers' asking, “are you ok in there?” “No!” I exclaimed camp at South Maumee to a jumping-off point, then frantically as I made another turn trying to get myself free walking about two miles to the work area east of Little from this manmade constrictor. “Come out here and I’ll Rocky Creek, and then returning to camp after work by help you get it off,” she said. “No, I’m not setting foot out the same route. Much hiking, but a necessarily short there without my clothes on; you come in here and help.” workday. Fortunately the route for both driving and “I don’t think we will both fit in there,” she said, “unless hiking is very interesting. the door is open.” After a couple more passes with no results, I relented to have her give me some assistance. The Camp at South Maumee is to be open from October She opened the door slightly and giggled at my 13 until November 14, which includes the weekends of predicament, “need some help,” she quipped. After she Oct 18-19, Oct. 25-26, Nov. 1-2, and Nov. 8-9. pulled the suit from my shoulders I was able to escape Volunteer workers are welcome to "drop in" any time. from the clutches of the beast and return it to the rack. I Our camp will have a well equipped, tent-sheltered camp must have perspired a gallon of sweat during my frantic kitchen, and picnic tables, grills, mowed tent sites, and a fight to free myself. Funny thing, after that I realized I modern vault toilet. Cooking/drinking water will come didn’t need a wet suit that bad after all. from a neighbor connected to the Morning Star public water system. There will be no charge for camping.

2 So volunteers need only to bring their own tent, bedding, would feel so at home in Arkansas...one of the most food, ice chest, stove, cook pot, eating utensils, and enjoyable and rewarding experiences of my life." daypack. To connect with those leaving for work each SUN: "...the Buffalo River Park...is the most natural place morning, it's best to arrive the evening before. The that I have visited in my life. I've learned, more or less, provides tools for building trail. about the rural area in the books and movies, but I've Our campsite - at the river and facing an impressive bluff never got a chance to learn about it personally. The - is at the end of a 7-mile (3 paved, 4 gravel) road to rainbow I saw today is the longest one that I've seen in my South Maumee from Highway 27 at Morning Star, 6 life!" miles east of Marshall. MINLI: "Thank you very much to give us and people all around the world a chance to see the beauty of Buffalo Questions? Contact Ken Smith, 479-466-7994, National River and get close to the nature! (PS: Sorry for [email protected]. But note that Ken will be my broken English!)" at South Maumee beginning October 13, without phone KAITLIN (Crew Leader): "...an incredible week, filled service. He'll frequently contact the Tyler Bend Visitor with goofiness and hard work and kindnesses..." Center, 870-439-2502, where the person on duty (8:30 - HANNAH: "This trip was life-changing. I have been so 4:30) can give him your important message. blessed to be able to call this place home for a week." XINYI: "City born. City grown. I had never had an LIFE-CHANGING: 14 STUDENTS ENCOUNTER experience like this, sitting down on the large piece of THE BUFFALO RIVER by Ken Smith grass, watching so many stars. Such a wonderful experience that I can never forget!" Spring vacation in 2014, one week in March. Fourteen CARLY: "...you have changed my life..." University of Illinois students had selected an Alternative ANGELA: "I and the rest of our group will pay it forward Spring Break. "Go Somewhere - Do Something," it said one day." on their A.S.B. tee shirts. Instead of going beach-partying And later, from the organizer for Alternative Breaks at the they'd chosen to help build the Buffalo River Hiking University of Illinois: "...every single person on this Trail. Spring's trip gave it rave reviews."

Five guys and nine girls. Diverse origins. Two Chinese- TRAIL VOLUNTEERS HEAD TOWARD HOMESTRETCH Americans, three Chinese from China. A student from India. Two Americans named Joseph, but having From mid-February to May 1, more than 100 volunteers forebears from opposite ends of Euro-Asia--Joey Lund together created 19,300 feet (3.66 miles) of the Buffalo with grandparents from Norway, Joe Chang with his from River Hiking Trail. Officially that's a piece of the Buffalo China. River/Ozark Highlands Trail Extension from US 65 to Highway 14. (Actually the Extension's 28 miles could Digging and raking, on rocky hillsides downriver from well be called the Volunteers' Trail, because Volunteers Highway 65, the students gave us nearly three thousand have been the predominant builders. That was especially feet of new trail. They didn't have much money for evident this spring. food...PB&J sandwiches, spaghetti. But Arkansas hospitality made it OK. Monday and Tuesday, Kim Little Extra effort, heartwarming generosity! The 3.66 miles from the University of Central Arkansas was in camp to built this spring far surpassed the average 2.5 miles for feed four of her students and she let the Illinois kids each entire year during the first eight years of the 28-mile devour her plentiful surplus. Wednesday, National Park project. And encouraging! Now only 22,400 feet (4.24 Service people came with a big pot of stew. Thursday, miles) remain to complete the volunteers' project. With Ozark Society members Laura and David Timby, and good fortune and hard work, we can open 4.24 miles by Friday, Janet and Alan Nye, gave the students festive the end of next year. dinners at their homes in Gilbert. More than 100 volunteers! They raked leaves, dug dirt, All week, O.S. member Richard McFadden from Conway broke rock, prepared meals, loaned equipment, donated provided his tents, sleeping bags and pads and other gear. food and cash. Thanks! to each of them. He negotiated price discounts for seeing Blanchard As they were able, they came and worked any time from Springs Caverns, and for hearty breakfasts at Ferguson's one day to several weeks. They included 11 Russellville, restaurant up the hill from the River. AR, high school students; 12 students from the UofA at Fayetteville; 4 from UCA at Conway; and 14 from the Nearing departure, the students wrote us notes-- University of Illinois. KATIE: "I learned how to build a trail, and how generous everyone in Arkansas can be. How beautiful Arkansas is!" Sixteen members of the Ozark Society's Highlands JOEY: "I felt the magic of the , and the warmth of Chapter came one Saturday, and many individual O.S. the people who live there. Who could have guessed that I members at other times. (Thanks! to each of you who 3 came. Special thanks to Richard McFadden, who helped working; I walked to within about 60 feet before it flew, so many ways he has a new title: Facilitator. And to O.S. showing its horn-colored beak, the identifying white at members Laura and David Timby and Janet and Alan base of tail feathers, along with the white patch on Nye, who provided festive dinners for the semi-starved underside of each wing—at base of primary feathers— Illinois students.) Two trail-savvy helpers from the obvious, once the eagle took flight . . . Most winters, I’m American Hiking Society and several newcomers, first- fortunate to see one or two “goldies” somewhere on timers who worked a day or more. Twenty two Alumni, Buffalo River. experienced "graduates" of previous work weeks, came 01/09/09 -- Built 30 yards trail thru a tangle of poison ivy and helped for times varying from two days to several roots -- hand-pulled those “sleeping beauties!” weeks. Altogether the Alumni--retired folks, often 65 or 01/12/09 -- 33 yards of side-hill digging, with only a half- older--likely built the most footage of trail. grown armadillo for entertainment! 01/14/09 -- Another 33 yards -- (worked 5 hours at rate of One other volunteer, retired National Park Service career 20 feet of trail completed/hour… about average, if not employee Jim Liles, working by himself, rivaled the working on steep or hard-rock terrain). … A Bald Eagle Alumni for trail footage. While Jim began his 3,900 feet whistled to me at quitting time. (0.74 mile, downriver from the Alumni) a month or two 01/17/09 -- With temperature down to lower ‘teens, found before spring, we count it as footage for the spring season. upper half-foot of ground frozen . . . slow-going: worked Also take note: Jim built his trail at age 76, then 77. 6 hours and “roughed-out” only 25 yards of trail. EXCERPTS FROM A TRAIL BUILDERS DIARY-2009 01/21/09 -- Finished the trail roughed-out on 01/17 and by Jim Liles completed 24 additional yards. . . A Bald Eagle called Editor’s note: This is a follow-up to previous "Excerpts several times from the river, intermittently, through the from a Trail-Builder's Diary." . . . Printed at the rate of 3 quiet afternoon. per year, if run "quarterly & continuously”, “these 01/23/09 -- Worked 5 hours, building 23 yards of trail. "excerpts" should be concluded about the time the BRT is 01/26/09 -- Worked only 3 hours, before freezing/sleet completed! began to fall; quit “early,” after 13 yards built.

After the 2008 summer mountaineering in the Colorado Comes the great ice siege, with freezing rain coating Rockies, I returned to the Ozarks in time for the beautiful everything exposed with layer-upon-layer of ice. . . trees fall colors, and a great 3-day solo river trip, Rush to the and tree limbs starting to come down. . . The electricity White River, hiking up Lafoon Creek, Cabin Creek road, went out at our house at 8:30 a.m. on 01/27 and was not and the “Old Ore Road”– back to my truck at Rush . . .. restored until the late afternoon of 02/07 /09 (in time for Then, after spending much of November in the Carolinas, my 72nd birthday.) . . . At the peak of the power outages, followed by winter fire-wood gathering, I finally returned 111,000 Entergy customers were reported without power to working on the Buffalo River Trail, well after Ken across northern Arkansas. For almost two weeks, Suzie & Smith and his volunteer groups had concluded their fall I cooked on a Coleman gas stove, pumped well water trail-work. with my portable generator, and managed to keep the 12/17/08 -- Tried to drive to the trail off South Maumee house at about 50 degrees, with a fire going in our big Road, but that access too icy, so I settled for a winter hike fireplace. along the built Buffalo River Trail, Dillard’s Ferry to Kimball Bluff-top— good country, in any season! (And a For the remaining 3 weeks of February, we worked at special day tomorrow, with Suzie’s last day of her NPS cleaning up the mess of downed limbs and trees, at our career—spanning 30 years, as historian/cultural resources “Bald Jesse Farm” -- 16 big brush piles, which I specialist, !) eventually burned. Damage was even worse at our 45- 12/28/08 – Finally began the winter season of trail acre property off the Toney Bend road, bordering the building, after driving to the proposed trail crossing of park. Our once-beautiful “azalea branch” was an unholy South Maumee Road. Working east (down-river.) I mess of tangled down-fall; our “co-champion” sarvis tree enjoyed a great view of the Buffalo, flowing below, about was shattered, and most of the miles of trail I’d built (on 600 feet away and 400 ft. lower than the level of the trail. our land, over the past 8 years) was blocked with fallen After building 20 yards of trail, I was visited at day’s end trees -- a demoralizing scene. by a pair of Bald Eagles. . (Keep hoping those winter residents become full-time ones.) 02/24/09 -- Returned to the trail project down-river from 01/01/2009 -- Opened the New Year by building 30 yards the S. Maumee Rd., after driving the 33 miles of ice- of trail (off south Maumee Rd., working down-river, to ravaged countryside en route. Found the ice-downed trees link up with trail already built up (west) from Spring along the trail route had been cleared (by an NPS Creek by Ken Smith and volunteer groups. emergency crew.) I worked 4 ½ hrs, finishing the 13 01/05/09 -- 44 yards of trail built, over fairly level terrain yards roughed-out the day the ice began (01/26), and 01/07/09 -- 46 yards built . . . A fine sub-adult Golden scratched out another 10 yards. Also spent more than a Eagle flew in and perched about 80’ from where I was hour with pick, filling a trail-side crater from which a big 4 white oak had been up-rooted by the ice-storm . . . In just as it surfaced, below Jackpot Bluff … Now that’s the compensation: two flocks of snow geese flew over -- way to enjoy the river: after a walk along the Buffalo about 100 birds each, flying high, north-bound from the River Trail, end the day with a nice little canoe run on a delta, keeping pace with the receding southern limit of the full-flowing river -- and a fish story, with no fish to clean! continental ice sheet. 02/27/09 -- Finished the 10 yards roughed out 02/24, and The ensuing 5-month “Rocky Mountain summer completed another 15 yards of trail. interlude” was followed by revisiting some of the 03/03/09 -- Back on the trail -- grubbed out poison ivy Hawaiian Islands, 9/22 -10/16, with most of our stay roots for about 100 yards, and 25 yards of trail “roughed “house-sitting” for a cousin of Suzie’s, on Kauai, the out,” working in soil wet from recent snow. . . First “Garden-Isle.”… I can now claim having spent time on wildflowers of spring appearing: bloodroot. every island & major atoll in the Hawaiian Archipelago, 03/06/09 -- Finished the 25 trail yards roughed-out 03/03, sprinkled over 1700 miles, from Kure at its western end to and completed another 20 yards on steep hillside. . . . the “Big Island.” In 1961, while navigator on a U.S Navy Weather warm for early March -- into low 80’s all ship, I was responsible for operations landing/extracting afternoon. scientists & technicians onto/from those uninhabited 03/20/09 -- First day of spring! Finished 20 yards; then islands, in support of a project to precision-map them and walked the flagged trail route eastward to its intersection to install nuclear test detection devices on some of them with a running creek, and its 30 - 40’ waterfall over the (part of the establishment of more than a hundred such St. Peter sandstone bluff, atop which Ken had routed the stations around the world, in anticipation of the nuclear trail -- Very nice scene, despite the many trees & limbs test ban treaty President Kennedy negotiated with Russia downed by ice 2 months ago. and Great Britain in 1963.). . . . How many more such 04/04/09 -- Much ice-storm damage clean-up work treaties will need to be struck, I wonder, for humanity to remaining to be done at our “Bald Jesse Farm,” as well as forestall nuclear Armageddon on our ever more crowded the Bear Hollow 45 acres; but planned one last trail work and contentious planet? day of Spring, to finish the 20 yards remaining on my season’s “commitment.” . . . So, I walked down the 11/04/09 -- Celebrated return to the Ozarks by canoeing recently built (by volunteer groups) trail, to a point where the 7 ½ mile, Buffalo Point to Rush Landing, and hiking it crossed an unfinished stretch, dropping down across a back, “over-land,” making the combined 14 miles in ledge of bedrock. Spent about seven hours locating, about 8 hours. Other good river trips of the fall included moving, and setting sandstone blocks for steps and an annual “Veterans Day” float with river partner (and stabilization and building about 10 yards of finished fellow veteran) Rene LeBrun. trail—my last spring-time trail work of the year. Christmas Holidays were followed by an impromptu 04/10 - 5/07/09: Took a vacation to warmer climes, Southwest sojourn to visit wildlife artist friends Tom & driving to my old stomping grounds -- Big Bend National Jeri Quinn, in their old adobe querida in Tularosa, NM; Park, Texas, where we camped out at Rio Grande Village from there, an unplanned meandering around the general -- our base for many good drives and hikes throughout southwest, which took us to the first national forest that great mountain-and-desert park… After 10 good days managed as roadless wilderness: Aldo Leopold Wilderness in Big Bend, drove north to Guadalupe N.P., for more Area, in New Mexico’s Gila National Forest. We’re good hikes, then on via Santa Fe and the Colorado thankful for that break-through (after Leopold pressed the Rockies, for a surprise visit with daughter Diana, “winter- USFS for a higher level of protection, back in the 1920s) keeping” the Colorado house, built -- like trails -- a bit at on behalf of preserving wild places; and we’re elated that, a time, over 20 yrs. in 1978, Congress authorized 36,000 acres of wilderness 05/28/09 -- Back to Buffalo River. It was running full- within Buffalo National River, pursuant to the 1964 bank, so I put the day to good use: making an all-day . . . Here’s to the preservation of the canoe-and-hike. I stashed my solo canoe at Spring Creek Nation’s choice wild places—accessible only by trails (& landing; then drove to Dillards Ferry and hiked -- paddle-craft)! “dawdling” along for 5 hours -- the 6 miles of “new” trail up-river (and down the Spring Creek Road another mile, “Like winds and sunsets, wild things were taken to my canoe.) . . . Many wildflowers blooming: the for granted, until progress began to do away with them. opening a-top Kimball Bluff” (the “look-off” where Now we face the question whether a still higher ‘standard previous trail-building project ended) was resplendent of living’ is worth its cost in things natural, wild, and with coreopsis, the smaller but equally bright yellow free.” blooms of St. John’s-wort, the pink round flower clusters A Sand County Almanac, by Aldo Leopold of “sensitive-brier,” and the redder legume blooms of goat’s rue, along with a bevy of blue-blooming, bluff- loving spiderwort…. And, on the canoe run back to Dillard Ferry I surprised a giant bass, which I canoed by 5 required. Meet at Cave Mountain Church on Cave New Members Mountain at 9:30 am. Visit many great waterfalls including the Pour off, also many interesting rock  Brent & Jeannie Glover formations and tree impressions. 12-person limit.  Aletha Petty & Jay Rosenberg  Bill & Mary Goodin Call Farrel at 479-200-2621 to sign up for the above  Joe & Jody Roth hikes, (with the exception of the Nov. 8th bushwhack) and  Cole Rath please leave a message if need be. Don’t wait till the last  Mark & Amy Smith minute, as hikes will fill up fast.  Jim Speight  Lisa Baldridge  Mark Degginger  Clay Farrar Outings…  Jason McDonald  Becky Gillette Plans are underway for a bike outing this fall. October 11th is the tentative date for a ride on the Highline Trail that runs 35-miles between Springfield and Bolivar MO. Go to www.friscohighlinetrail.org for more information. Hikes… Multiple options are available. Contact Rick at Editor’s note: Please contact the Farrel at [email protected] or Laura at [email protected] or 479.200.2621, prior to the event to [email protected] if interested in joining us. sign up or to check on any changes. All hikes require you to sign a waver. Thank you.

Sunday Sept. 21st, 2014, Erbie Historic Hike, Events… approximately 4 miles, rated easy, 2 possible wet crossings. Meet at the Cecil Cove Trailhead at 10:00 am. Visit many of the Historic homesteads of Erbie, Goat Rolling Out the Science And More Bluff, also Cherry Grove Cemetery, and The Old Erbie Church. Bug spray advised. 15-person limit. Saturday October 18, 7 p. m. St. Paul’s Parish Hall, 224 N. East Av. Fayetteville Sunday Oct. 19th and 26th 2014, Grand Tour of the Ponca Wilderness, approx. 10 miles, rated strenuous, 5 The Buffalo River Watershed Alliance and wet crossings. Meet at Kyle’s Landing Campground at the Ozark River Stewards invite you to join them for 9:00 am, to shuttle to Center Point Trailhead to start. an informative presentation that will cover Take your pick which date for this popular hike through recent developments in our joint, multi-pronged efforts to one of the most scenic areas of our state, The Goat Trail, protect and preserve our country’s first National River, Granny Henderson’s House, Rocky Bottom, and and ensure that future generations of people and Hemmed-in Hollow plus many neat other sites. 15-person wildlife can enjoy a safe, healthy and beautiful limit each hike. environment.

Saturday Nov. 8th, 2014 Bushwhack into No Name Five speakers will bring you up to date on the various Hollow in the Upper Buffalo Wilderness. Approx. 6 miles aspects of these efforts with a series of brief summaries. rated strenous. Meet at 9am at the Red Star School. 12- Representatives of the Buffalo River Watershed person limit Contact Dan Wagner at [email protected] Alliance, the Ozark River Stewards, Ozark Society, or 501.553.5410 after 5pm for more information and to Arkansas Canoe Club and the National Park Conservation sign up. Association will be on hand.

Sunday Nov. 16th, 2014, Buffalo River Trail Erbie to Ozark Campground, approx. 6 miles, rated moderate, A robust turnout will help demonstrate to Cargill and Hunter orange required. Meet at Ozark Campground at other interests that this issue is NOT going away. So 9:00 am, shuttle to Erbie Campground to start. Waterfalls please plan on attending and let others know about this in Sawmill Hollow, Adair Cemetery, Brown Cemetery, event. Refreshments will be served. For more information old home sites, and great river overlooks. 15-person limit. go to buffaloriveralliance.org or savethebuffaloriver.com

Sunday Dec. 14th, 2014, Dug Hollow Bushwhack, approx. 6 miles, rated strenuous, Hunter Orange 6 about the fall meeting. If there is enough interest possible alternative activities to the cleanup will be announced at the meeting.

Sure hope you all can make it. It promises to be a fun filled, absolutely gorgeous weekend on our beloved Buffalo River.

Sunday November 30th at Noon, the Buffalo River Meetings… Chapter will meet at the Timby’s house in Gilbert for a potluck, hike or float and membership meeting (dues for It’s that time of year again for the Ozark Society’s 2015 will happily be accepted at this time). Contact Laura General Membership meeting. Hosted by the Buffalo at 870.439.2968 or [email protected] for more River Chapter of the Ozark Society, two full days of information. There promises to be good food, nice folks meeting, eating, hiking, canoeing and music making are and fun activities- door prizes as well! in store. The event will be located at Buffalo Point National Park & Campground on the lower Buffalo River September-December Calendar at Pavilion #1. Group campground #1 is also reserved for those wishing to camp on Friday and Saturday nights for a st nominal fee. Those wanting a few more creature comforts  Sept 21 Erbie Historic Hike can call Buffalo Point Cabins at (870) 449-6206 to  Oct 3-5th OS Meeting at Buffalo Point reserve either a rustic or modern cabin within the park.  Oct 11th Frisco Highline Trail bike tour  Oct 19th & 26th Grand Fall Tour Here is the planned schedule in Pavilion #1 on  Nov. 8th No Name Hollow Bushwhack Saturday October 4th:  Nov 16th BRT Erbie to Ozark Hike 8:30-10:00 am ~Pavilion #1 Meeting Registration,  Nov 30th BRC meeting in Gilbert complimentary continental breakfast,  Dec 14th Dug Hollow Bushwhack visiting with old and new friends. 10:00am-Noon ~Welcome by Farrel Couch, BRC “Something will have gone out of us as a people Chapter Chair, and Mike Simpson, Buffalo Point Chief if we ever let the remaining wilderness be Ranger, Ozark Society Business Meeting, CAFO, Lawsuit destroyed…We need wilderness preserved--of much and Chapter Updates, announcement of proposed slate of of it as is still left, and as many kinds--because it was Ozark Society Officer candidates, and Buffalo River the challenge against which our character as a status report by Superintendent Kevin Cheri. people was formed.” Noon-1:00/1:30 pm ~Ozark Society Board meeting- everyone is invited to attend-Lunch on your own. 1:30- 5:00pm ~Meet Farrel at Pavilion #1 for a hike of --Wallace Stegner the Indian Rock House Loop or exploring Buffalo Point area on your own. See you on the River. LT 6:00 pm –7:30 pm ~Potluck dinner and election of Ozark Society Officers. 7:30-9:30pm~ Music to be provided by Dave Smith, and Mary and Robert Gillihan, members of the Ozark Society’s favorite band, Harmony. 10:00 pm ~Lights out and sweet dreams.

Sunday Oct 5th

Rise and Shine Breakfast on your own.

9:00am~ Meet at Wild Bill’s Concession on Hwy 14 to volunteer for a river cleanup on a section of the Buffalo River near Buffalo Point. Contact Laura Timby at (870) 439-2968 or [email protected] by September 30th if interested in participating or if you have any questions 7