This photo, that shows our group on the first day of a three-day kayaking extravaganza, was taken by a kind and thoughtful stranger at the launch site, so that all the gals could be in the picture. We were kayaking the lovely Current River, that is part of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, in Shannon County, Missouri.
On the first day, we put in at Cedar Grove, which enabled us to float past the old Welch Hospital, which I wrote about in an article published on July 14, 2017, called "Current Events Expedition". (You can see that article by looking in the archives section of this blog). I learned when researching the 2017 article, that the Welch hospital was built over a cave entrance. Also, there is a placard at the site that gives the history of the hospital, along with photos and sketches of what it looked like when originally built.
The only remaining edifice of the Welch Hospital, are the stone walls shown in this photograph. The roof has long since disappeared. At the top of the steps, there is an unofficial path that leads the explorer up the hill, and on to the top of the bluff, that overlooks the spring and river.
The Welch Spring gushes out with such force that it assures the Current River is floatable year round! Welch Spring contributes an average of 121 cubic feet of water per second to the flow of the Current River. To put that number in perspective, remember that a basketball is approximately one cubic foot. So imagine 121 basketballs coming towards you PER SECOND!! I have trouble catching just one basketball when it is thrust at me, so to think of 121 basketballs thrown at me at one time is a little overwhelming!
Maybe that is why I was a little apprehensive about kayaking past these rapids where the Welch Spring flows into the Current River. However, I steered far to the right of the "intersection" (along with the other row of single-file kayakers in my group), and navigated through the challenge without a rollover! (The tongue-in-cheek phrase among kayakers, for a rollover, is "to become a swimmer".) So, I could re-write that sentence to say there were "no swimmers" at the Welch Spring---which is a good thing, because the sign from the park service clearly indicated NO SWIMMING, and NO FISHING, at this environmentally sensitive area.
Since this is an NPS riverway that is popular year round, it is not surprising that we encountered other groups along our voyage. I took this photo of one such tourist, and if you saw the movie "Deliverance" you may know what this tee shirt message is referencing!
I took the picture of the back of this man's shirt, as he was photographing his friend jumping off the bluff into a deep swimming hole of the river:
On the first day, we put in at Cedar Grove, which enabled us to float past the old Welch Hospital, which I wrote about in an article published on July 14, 2017, called "Current Events Expedition". (You can see that article by looking in the archives section of this blog). I learned when researching the 2017 article, that the Welch hospital was built over a cave entrance. Also, there is a placard at the site that gives the history of the hospital, along with photos and sketches of what it looked like when originally built.
Maybe that is why I was a little apprehensive about kayaking past these rapids where the Welch Spring flows into the Current River. However, I steered far to the right of the "intersection" (along with the other row of single-file kayakers in my group), and navigated through the challenge without a rollover! (The tongue-in-cheek phrase among kayakers, for a rollover, is "to become a swimmer".) So, I could re-write that sentence to say there were "no swimmers" at the Welch Spring---which is a good thing, because the sign from the park service clearly indicated NO SWIMMING, and NO FISHING, at this environmentally sensitive area.Since this is an NPS riverway that is popular year round, it is not surprising that we encountered other groups along our voyage. I took this photo of one such tourist, and if you saw the movie "Deliverance" you may know what this tee shirt message is referencing!
I live in Arkansas that boasts being the home of the first national river---which is now called Buffalo National River. So I was a bit confused when reading that the Ozark National Scenic Riverways also claims to be a "first". (However, the NPS property for this area is an IUCN Category V, meaning protected landscape/seascape). The below photo shows the sign you will see along the highway, as you enter property that has been designated for public use by the NPS. The Ozark National Scenic Riverways was created by an act of Congress in 1964, to protect both the Current and Jacks Fork Riverways. The park was dedicated in 1971. It is promoted as the Midwest's best float streams, in part due to contributions of some of the nations largest springs. The list includes Welch Spring, Cave Spring, Big Spring, Blue Spring, and Gravel Spring. It has the U.S.'s largest concentration of First Magnitude Springs, which are defined as having an average flow of more than 100 cubic feet per second, in dolomite rock.
After an enjoyable day on the river, our group came back to the Timber Lodge, where we were staying. You can find out more about this property, by going to the Shannondale page on Facebook.
Christine also took this photo below of me in yellow kayak and red hat, paddling out of the cave. Notice how clear the water is, as evidenced by the visibility of the very long submerged log!
After an enjoyable day on the river, our group came back to the Timber Lodge, where we were staying. You can find out more about this property, by going to the Shannondale page on Facebook.
Although some would call Timber Lodge "rustic", it has the main things I was interested in---electricity, indoor plumbing, and WiFi! Most people in the group were using their cell phones for photography and Internet access, as there was very limited---to non-existent---use of of them for talking to anyone!
After our potluck supper on Tuesday night, several in the group used the three 25 cent pieces (aka, quarters) we had been told in advance to bring, to play the game called "Left, Right, Center".
Using U.S. quarters for this game is totally appropriate since there was a SPECIAL quarter issued in 2017, highlighting the Ozark Riverways!
On the second night of our trip, we had the unique opportunity to hear from a local storyteller and author---Rick Mansfield. 
You have heard the phrase "telling ghost stories around the campfire", and that is literally what happened! Rick portrayed the ghost of the deceased "Caretaker of the Current River", a Mr. Luther Rowlett. (The white hat signifies when the "ghost" is talking vs. when Mr. Mansfield is talking).
After our potluck supper on Tuesday night, several in the group used the three 25 cent pieces (aka, quarters) we had been told in advance to bring, to play the game called "Left, Right, Center".
By weaving many Ozark sayings, doings, and traditions into his "ghost story", we got a hint of the culture of these Ozark mountains in days gone by. As you can imagine, we gave him a big round of applause for his endeavors at the end:
Those who wanted to, could purchase some of the books he has published that tell even more stories !! Rick's wife, Judy, assisted in showcasing some of the books he had available for sale. You can find out more about his work and volunteer activities , on the Rick Mansfield Facebook page.
Those who wanted to, could purchase some of the books he has published that tell even more stories !! Rick's wife, Judy, assisted in showcasing some of the books he had available for sale. You can find out more about his work and volunteer activities , on the Rick Mansfield Facebook page.
When kayaking on the last stretch of our trip, it was a unique experience to get to paddle into a cave. All twenty of us would not fit in at one time, so we lined up and took turns going into the cave. This first photo shows me paddling into the cave, and was taken by my friend, Christine.
This photo below that DQ took of me with uplifted hands, shows my jubilation and gratitude, for getting to have this awesome "kave-kayaking" experience! !
Christine also took this photo below of me in yellow kayak and red hat, paddling out of the cave. Notice how clear the water is, as evidenced by the visibility of the very long submerged log!
I like the way the opening of the cave provides a "frame" for this photograph, that shows two kayakers crossing their paddles to form an "X"! 
In addition to the paddling, there is another experience in the area that I would recommend you try if you have the opportunity. The Current River State Park is a public recreation area occupying 1200 acres of land along the Current River, also in Shannon County, Missouri. It consists of land and buildings originally developed as the
Alton Club, a corporate retreat (used in the 1930's and 1940's) of the Alton Box Board Company, of Alton, Illinois. It's been included in the National Register of Historic Places, since 2005. The site includes the main lodge, classroom/pool hall, lower dorm, gym, BBQ house, lake house, manager's residence, and entrance columns. It also has 9 miles of hiking trails, two small fishing lakes, picnicking facilities, and a location where the public can launch their kayaks.
In addition to the paddling, there is another experience in the area that I would recommend you try if you have the opportunity. The Current River State Park is a public recreation area occupying 1200 acres of land along the Current River, also in Shannon County, Missouri. It consists of land and buildings originally developed as the
Its gymnasium (built in 1940) is unique because of its Lamella Wooden Truss roof.
The roof consists of intersecting arches, hinged together at their midpoints to form an interlocking network, in a diamond pattern. Although the Lamella Roof was patented in 1910, it did not become popular until the period between the World Wars, when metal for construction was in short supply .
A different photo of the gymnasium interior shows some of our group listening to NPS volunteer, Barbara Gibbs Ostmann, tell stories about the history of the park over the years. (I am thankful that I first had the opportunity to meet Barbara Gibbs Ostmann, way back in the 1960's, when we both were involved in the Noark Girl Scout Council. The area represented by Noark Girl Scouts back then, included her hometown of Springdale, and my hometown of Harrison.) Although the outdoor facilities of the Current River State Park are open year round, guided tours are only available on weekends, during warm weather. If you want to tour the interiors, it would be best to phone ahead before your visit, to find out if tours are available. 
Even if the interiors cannot be accessed, the scenic views throughout the property would make your visit worthwhile and enjoyable!
Another interesting place to visit in this area is an NPS site called "Devil's Well". The word "well" describes a deep hole in the ground, and as you can see from the photo below, this is definitely a deep hole in the ground. Although the steps at the entrance to the location start out as wooden, when they go below ground level, their construction changes to stainless steel. Although I have been to many places across the USA that include the ominous word of "devil" in their name (e.g., Devil's Tower in Wyoming, Devil's Lake in Wisconsin, Devil's Postpile in California, and Devil's Den in Arkansas), I am always keenly aware of what the headlines would say if I died while at one of these places! So please make note of the following, if that happens: "She died at Devil's What-cha-ma-callit", but she now rests peacefully in the arms of Jesus."
Once you reach the bottom, you enter a small opening in the ground, that lets you peer down at the underground lake:
Even if the interiors cannot be accessed, the scenic views throughout the property would make your visit worthwhile and enjoyable!
Another interesting place to visit in this area is an NPS site called "Devil's Well". The word "well" describes a deep hole in the ground, and as you can see from the photo below, this is definitely a deep hole in the ground. Although the steps at the entrance to the location start out as wooden, when they go below ground level, their construction changes to stainless steel. Although I have been to many places across the USA that include the ominous word of "devil" in their name (e.g., Devil's Tower in Wyoming, Devil's Lake in Wisconsin, Devil's Postpile in California, and Devil's Den in Arkansas), I am always keenly aware of what the headlines would say if I died while at one of these places! So please make note of the following, if that happens: "She died at Devil's What-cha-ma-callit", but she now rests peacefully in the arms of Jesus."
Another landmark along the Current River one needs to keep an eye out for is the Medlock Waterfall:
The second day of our float trip, we put in at Akers Ferry, Upper Landing.
There is also an Akers Ferry, Lower Landing, and that is the site of the car ferry. I have yet to see this ferry in operation because when I kayaked past it a few years ago, it was undergoing repairs because of damage done from flooding. This year, it was the opposite problem. It was not working because the water level was not high enough. A local resident we talked to said the NPS was going to have to dredge the river bed at the ferry crossing, so that there would be enough water to float the ferry, with a car on it, across the river to the county road, on the opposite shore. I hope I get to take my car across on that ferry, when---and, if---it ever starts to operate again.
I took this photo of our group on the third and final day of our Current River paddling expedition. I have given a lot of thought as to why I SO MUCH enjoy spending time with this group of ladies, and I have concluded it is because we are "LIKE-minded", that is, we all LIKE kayaking! This serves as a visual aid for one of my First Place 4 Health (www.FirstPlace4Health.com) memory verses that says, "Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one purpose." Philippians 2:2 The Zondervan NIV study Bible expounds on this, saying that unity can exist within a group, without meaning uniformity in thought---rather, in the common disposition to work together and serve one another. Working and playing together with this group of LIKE-minded friends gives me "MILES OF (kayaking!) SMILES!!" Tricia
I took this photo of our group on the third and final day of our Current River paddling expedition. I have given a lot of thought as to why I SO MUCH enjoy spending time with this group of ladies, and I have concluded it is because we are "LIKE-minded", that is, we all LIKE kayaking! This serves as a visual aid for one of my First Place 4 Health (www.FirstPlace4Health.com) memory verses that says, "Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one purpose." Philippians 2:2 The Zondervan NIV study Bible expounds on this, saying that unity can exist within a group, without meaning uniformity in thought---rather, in the common disposition to work together and serve one another. Working and playing together with this group of LIKE-minded friends gives me "MILES OF (kayaking!) SMILES!!" Tricia
