Outdoors
Hufstedler’s: The Best Outfitter on the Eleven Point River
Some may suppose this post to be an advertisement for Hufstedler’s and it may be in a way, but it is well deserved. I’ve been floating and camping on Ozark rivers since childhood and this is the only outfitter to which I consistently return. Hufstedler’s is situated in the best geographic location of any... »
Nature Close at Hand: A Walk Through Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield
Nature does not have to be experienced at the end of a four hour drive and a day of hiking. Rather, natural areas exist all around us and we simply have to open our eyes. This is particularly true in the Ozark region. There are many streams and trails within a few miles of... »
The Niangua: Paddling from Bennett Springs to Barclay Conservation Area
Nikki and I headed up to the Niangua for a short day float. We put in at Riverfront campground, about a mile upstream from Bennett Springs and floated the seven or so miles down to Barclay Conservation Area in about four hours. The water was flowing pretty well for mid-August, though we did drag a... »
Floating the North Fork: From Hebron to Twin Bridges
Missouri’s North Fork River begins in South Central Missouri and flows through the Ozark hills and bluffs into Norfork Lake in Northern Arkansas. The North Fork River is predominantly known as a clear, spring fed trout river flowing over smooth limestone and watercress. The trout habitat of the North Fork begins in earnest downstream... »
The Springs of Eminence
We loaded up the ipod with our last bar review lectures and the hit the road this afternoon to see a few of the largest and deepest springs in the country. Unfortunately, we only had time to see two, Alley Spring and Blue Spring, but it was well worth it and we’re looking forward... »
Lost Valley, Arkansas
Our second day trip in the Ozarks consisted of a trip to Lost Valley, located in Northwest Arkansas near the small town of Ponca. The drive to Lost Valley is beautiful regardless of what direction you come from as the Valley is nestled into the heart of the Arkansas Ozarks. The trail is relatively short... »
Lo Unto the Crawdad, the Primary Food of the Ozark Smallmouth Bass
Crayfish, crawfish, or crawdad; whatever you call them their importance in providing excellent smallmouth fishing is undeniable, and so to, therefore, the significance of maintaining their habitat. This smallmouth, from the Jack’s Fork River of Missouri, was one of many that couldn’t resist the temptation of a live crawdad. The streams of the Ozarks offer... »
Our First Day Trip: Elephant Rocks, Fort Davidson, and Onondaga Cave
Nikki and I had our first bar study break and took a trip to the northeastern Ozarks to visit Elephant Rocks State Park, Fort Davidson, and Onondaga Cave. It was an extremely hot June day with a heat index around 105, making the chilly cave tour at the end of the day very welcome.... »
Pond Fishing Basics
Provides tips on getting and keeping landowner permission to fish a pond, and has links to public kids fishing programs in the Ozarks. »