Kayak Oklahoma Blog Sunset

It looks like the Kayak Oklahoma Blog may be soon coming to an end. The folks at Blogger.com have decided to end support for authors who own their own domain. Although it is kind of a bummer that they are dropping this service right at the start of Spring kayaking season, I hope it will open up more time for paddling.

Still, OklahomaRoadTrips.com will continue. Dianne and I are still eagerly paddling all of the local waterways that we can manage, so you can expect to find float trip reports and kayaking photography on this site...just not on this page.

This Summer we are heading south to visit a cabin on Caddo Lake in Texas. We are also planning a trip on the Caddo River and the Ouachita River in Arkansas. As usual we will hit our two favorite Oklahoma rivers: The Lower Mountain Fork River in Broken Bow, Oklahoma and the Illinois River in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Also, keep an eye on our site to get the details of Dianne's kayak fishing exploits as she goes after Gar, one of Oklahoma's largest and oldest fish species.

For late breaking news on Oklahoma kayaking issues, look me up on Twitter (username: FreeWine) and if you want to contact me you can always email me or hit me up on Flickr or Facebook. Until then, I hope to see you on the water!

Happy Paddling!

Thomas Jones (FreeWine)
http://www.oklahomaroadtrips.com

Oklahoma Winter Warm Up

As Oklahoma's winter high temps reach into the 60's, many recreational kayakers grab at the chance to sneak in a little winter paddling. My buddy Al Want (of OKC Flatwater Paddlers fame) met up with a few OKC area kayakers this weekend for a minor river adventure on the North Canadian. I've been trying to sneak away for some lake kayaking for the last several days, but I haven't made it yet. Thankfully, I've gotten to enjoy reading about he river adventures of other folk. Check out the tale of the June 2006 San Juan River trip in Enokidancer's Blog. If you can't go paddling at least you can enjoy the exploits of others.

Been Kayak Shopping, Lately?

Many folks buy their kayaks in the winter. Some choose this season to take advantage of sales and other folks just like to be ready for Spring well in advance of the warming weather. I noticed someone in Norman, Oklahoma has put their kayak for sale on Craig's List: http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/boa/1557235716.html, $200 for Old Town 16 foot kayak is quite a bargain if you looking for long, touring style kayak.

Canoe Across Missouri

Sign-up is now open for the 2010 Missouri River 340 canoe & kayak race. More details on this 340 mile canoe race across Missouri are on our Oklahoma area news blog. Canoes & kayaks are both allowed, but all boats must be paddle-powered ONLY. If you do head over to our Taste Oklahoma site, stop by the home page to check out the January 2010 list of Oklahoma Eagle watching events.

Now is a great time to start making plans and reservations for your Spring and Summer paddling trips. The best cabins is great kayaking areas like the Buffalo River, Broken Bow, Tahlequah will sell out fast later in the year.

Get a Recreational Kayak During The Off Season

Dianne on the Elk River in Missouri
Originally uploaded by FreeWine

I saw a 17 and a half foot Folbot Kayak for sale cheap on the Tulsa version of Craig's List today. With room for 2-3 paddlers onboard it sounds like quite a bargain at less than $400. Lots of folks willb be putting their kayaks on sale now that summer is over. Time to start kayak shopping!

I got a chance to paddle my good friend, Greg's 15 foot Dagger Edisto touring kayak this Summer. It is a real deal Sea Kayak with a rudder and everything. You squeeze into this boat like an extremely intimate pair of shorts. The cockpit is so small, I think I could have used a rubberband for a spray skirt! Where my recreational kayak has sturdy foot pegs to transfer the power of my paddling stroke to moving the boat, the touring kayak has pedals attached to the rudder via rope or something. I do not like paddling with a rudder.

Touring kayaks don't really suit me for paddling in Oklahoma. The extra length in the water line does make these long kayaks slip through the water with a bit more ease. However, the longer boats tend to catch more wind. A shallow drafting boat like the Dagger Edisto can weathercock quite a bit in Oklahoma's nearly perpetual winds.

Trying out different kayaks is always funfor me, but so far, I am a hooked on the recreational kayaks like my Perception Swifty or Dianne's new twelve foot Vapor Angler XT kayak from Old Town. Her 12 foot kayak offer much more carrying capacity, it is quite a bit faster than my Swifty and is one of the quietest, most comfortable kayaks I have ever paddled.

I would like to paddle a few foldable kayaks. I tried a cheap inflatable kayak, but I found it to be WAY more hassle than I want to add to my paddling trips. I haven't really tried any of the folding kayaks yet, but they do look compelling. My 9.5 foot plastic kayak won't fit easily into most vehicles, but it is tough as nails and always ready to hit the water when I am...no waiting required.

Saturday and Sunday both look like they will offer warm temps and low wind. Local lakes and rivers are mostly devoid of other boaters and the Fall color is quite vibrant. This is an awesome season for canoeing in Oklahoma. Find yourself an inexpensive recreational kayak, a cheap digital camera and embrace the sweet nectar than is Autumn. Of course, if you don't want to buy a kayak, you could always build your kayak.

Fall Rains Usher in the Ozark Canoeing Season

The recent week of showers in Oklahoma have opened up the Fall canoeing season. Water levels are up on rivers and creeks throughout the Ozarks. Our local Okmulgee Lake is running strong over the spillway. Head down Highway 56 west of Okmulgee and you can see our local part-time waterfall from the highway just west of the park entrance. This is the classic backdrop location for an Okmulgee family photo. If you happen to be paddling Okmulgee Lake...better not get too close to the Dam. That way lies MANY trees you will not enjoy paddling into.

Al and the Oklahoma Flatwater Paddlers have a Buffalo River trip planned. The Kiamichi River is up again after a long dry summer for Tom & the Gang at Kriver.com. I would love to get a weekend free to head down to Antlers, OK and paddle the Kiamichi and the Buffalo River is breathtaking in any season. BTW, did you catch the recent PBS special on the Buffalo National River? It was called The Buffalo Flows - The Story of Our First National River...an excellent story of the efforts to protect that free flowing gem of the Ozarks. If you have never paddled the Buffalo River, I highly reccomend you make the trip this Fall. It is a breathtaking river, perfect for canoes and recreational kayaks. Since it is about a five hour drive for us, we only visit the Buffalo River during the Spring & Fall canoeing seasons when the color is blazing.

Dianne recently bought her five year fishing license, so she is eager to drown some goldfish. I think I am going to follow her lead. Anybody got any tips for cool weather fishing in Oklahoma? Right now, our part of the North Canadian River is up and running fast. The Deep Fork River is also stretching out across the bottoms around Okmulgee County. A bit of warm sunny weather on the weekend would be right on time.

Also check out this link to a Kansas outfitter: Brooks Canoe & Kayak - they rent those cool pedal powered Hobie kayaks, I've always wanted to give one a try and Wichita is not too far for a road trip.

Tulsa River Rush 2009 on October 10

Participate, observe or simply learn more about the many activities that make River Parks Tulsa's favorite park, recreation and entertainment destination at Tulsa River Rush 2009! Visit booths sponsored by a multitude of local clubs, organizations and businesses including: the Tulsa Rowing Club & Kayak Club.

The River Activity Expo begins October 10, 2009 at 7:30 a.m. Check http://www.riverrush.net/ often as additional groups are added. To register an organization or business for participation in the River Activity Expo, contact tpitzer@riverparks.org or call (918) 596-2010.

Oklahoma Area Rivers Up for Floating

It looks like we have perfect paddling conditions on tap for this weekend. Recent rains have nice river levels flowing on a number of popular Ozark area kayaking locations.
This weekend, I like the looks of these waterways:

The Mulberry River - Whitewater off I-40 near Ozark, Arkansas
The Illinois River - Scenic paddling in Tahlequah, Oklahoma
The Kiamichi River - Remote backwoods canoe trips in Antlers, OK
The Upper Mountain Fork River - Watch out for the six foot waterfall.
The Kings River - Scenic canoeing trips near Eureka Springs, Arkansas
The Glover River - Big time whitewater in Southeastern Oklahoma

All of the above rivers are running strong and the Oklahoma weather forecast is calling for nothing but sunshine. I've got a load of work to do this weekend, but I still hope to slip off somewhere to enjoy some shady water.

Shady Flatwater on a Cool Morning

I slipped out onto Salt Creek of Okmulgee Lake to enjoy an unexpectedly cool and cloudy late Summer morning. It turned out to be time well invested. Launch your kayaks somewhere this weekend, my friends! The weather is too sweet to waste. I saw several of the Oklahoma Flatwater Paddlers were out to enjoy Salt Creek this morning as well. The light was very interesting on the creek today.

Speaking of the OFP, I hear Al is striking deep into Missouri territory to paddle this weekend, we couldn't join him, but I think we may try to make a quick run to Pineville, MO on Sunday. The Elk River in Pineville is too close to Oklahoma to be ignored. A fun bit of moving water with gravel banks, the Elk River should be on your annual schedule for recreational kayaking. Yakker even suggested he might be able to join us!

It is great to be able to link up with friends for kayaking, but if you want to paddle early in the morning...you are likely to be paddling alone quite a bit. When I am kayaking alone, I like to stick to safer-than-usual waters. My wife sleeps better when I am not out risking life and limb. The Salt Creek channel into Okmulgee Lake offers four seasons of shady, sheltered, quiet, Oklahoma flatwater that rarely disappoints me with its beauty. Try not to kill your vehicle on the access road. It is very rough, so take it real slow and leave your lowrider in the garage for this trip!

Salt Creek is low, but the Deep Fork River, the Arkansas River and The North Canadian River are rolling pretty fast in our area. I have to get rolling myself, Dianne wants to head to Tulsa and visit her favorite new restaurant for Philippine cuisine. If I play my cards right, I might be able to get in some bowling!

Lily Pads At Beggs Lake

Lily Pads At Beggs Lake
Originally uploaded by FreeWine

My day job has kept me too busy to make many kayaking trips this summer. When that happens I try to spend my weekends exploring local waters. This weekend, Dianne and I took the kayaks to New Beggs Lake for some flatwater 'lily paddling'.

The New Beggs Lake offers quick access and quiet paddling due to only aloowing fishing from non-motorized watercraft. If you enjoy fishing from your canoe, kayak or float tube, you may want to give New Beggs Lake a try. We saw quite a bit of fish activity on this lake and the water looks quite clear in the deeper portions of the lake.

More pictures and details from our Oklahoma Road trip to New Beggs Lake.

Grave Creek Kayaking at Sunrise

Yakker and I encountered strange mists during our morning of kayaking on Grave Creek in McIntosh County, Oklahoma. As the sun began to peek through the leafy green canopy of treetops, it created tiny, swirling, white tornados. The thin columns of white mists spiraled upward like smoky spirits, rising into the heavens on golden beams of morning sunlight.
Grave Creek is an excellent spot for flatwater paddling at sunrise. It also offers a great little parking area and boat ramp access to Lake Eufaula near the Deep Fork River arm of the lake. Read more and check out my latest pictures on our Grave Creek kayaking page.

Our Upper Mountain Fork River Trip

Upper Mountain Fork River
Originally uploaded by FreeWine

Dianne booked us a stay in southeastern Oklahoma's mountains for the Father's Day weekend; it was SO secluded and relaxing! I recommend it highly for couples and small families looking for a great deal on an Oklahoma cabin in the country. The owners have only one cabin they treated us like royalty the entire time we were there.

River Ranch Cabin is nestled in the Oklahoma 'mountains'. Southeastern Oklahoma is more mountainous and forested than any other part of the state. The roads that lead to Smithville, Oklahoma reminded me on the switchback-laden three lane highways of Colorado. You have to watch out for logging trucks, but it is well worth it to see the amazing vistas of the Ouachita National Forest and the Kiamichi mountains.

The single one-bedroom cabin at River Ranch Cabin sits on over a hundred acres of solitude fronted by a half mile section of the Upper Mountain Fork River. This river resort offers the most exclusive luxuries on market: solitude and comfort amongst breathtaking natural beauty. I'm sure it was the spacious indoor Jacuzzi that attracted Dianne's attention to this cabin. That gal is drawn to hot tubs, like a moth to the flame! However, we both knew she would end up spending very little time in the Jacuzzi as soon as we saw the 'swimming hole' at River Ranch Cabin.

The Upper Mt. Fork River is quite different from the Lower Mt. Fork River we are accustomed to kayaking in. The water in the Upper Mt. Fork River is much warmer than in the lower river. In my opinion, the Lower Mountain Fork River is almost too cold for swimming. The rocky, pool and drop descents of the two rivers are similar, but we didn't see the Cypress trees and Spanish Moss that we normally see on the lower river.

Swimming at the private gravel bar 'swimming hole' at River Ranch Cabin means you see no one else. We swam about five hours a day all weekend and we never saw a hiker, boater, fisherman...anyone! The crystal clear waters are teaming with fish, deer are plentiful and the grounds are well mowed. The spacious 'swimming hole' is actually quite long, but since it is a narrow bit of river you can always find some shady water to take a break from the sun. A gas grill stands nearby so you don't even have to return to the cabin for lunch. The gravel bar also makes an excellent place to launch kayaks from.

Once it gets dark, Dianne and I were willing to return to what was easily the nicest cabin we have ever stayed in. The first thing I noticed when we entered the cabin was a lovely homemade cake resting under glass. The lady made cake for us! Dianne was impressed by how new everything was in the cabin and rushed in straight to see the tub. It is a beauty and elegantly placed in the large bathroom. My attention was captured by the truly world-class cooling system. Heat pump, digital thermostat and more ceiling fans than I have ever seen a single home, much less a one bedroom cabin! I counted two in the living room, two in the kitchen, one in the bedroom and two on the back porch for goodness sakes!

Everything about the cabin was perfect from the location right down to the smallest details. Although American Whitewater will tell you that the river is only runnable after local rains, we enjoyed paddling for quite a ways around the cabin even late in June. However, I must confess that the heat of the summer had us much more focused on swimming than we were on kayaking during our visit to River Ranch Cabin in Smithville, OK.

Looking for a kayaking shirt to beat the summer heat? This weekend I tried Under Armour Heatgear and it really works! I wore this black shirt in the blazing heat and sun and found it to be wodefully cool. try one yourself sometime: Under Armour Men Heatgear UA Tech Sleeveless T-Shirt.

Quiet Kayaking on Dripping Springs Lake

Saturday afternoon's sunset was a bit of a disappointment, but the clouds made the lake cool off earlier. The wind laid and the lake water became increasingly glassy as Scott and I paddled our kayaks up Salt Creek on Dripping Springs Lake. I took Dianne's new 13 foot kayak out, but still had to work pretty hard to keep up with Scott's 17 foot Pygmy Coho plywood kayak.

The day had been blisteringly hot when we launched our boats from the fishing dock at Clovis Point. Once we reached the point where the lake began to slim-down into Salt Creek (and I began to wonder if one bottle of water was going to be sufficient) blessed shade happened. When Scott offered to bring his fancy new kit kayak to Okmulgee, I got pretty excited. Since I started reading about building kayaks lately, I was familiar with stitch and glue boat building. However, I had never seen one up close. It was just the boat the slide across the lake and sneak up on some wildlife.

Although the Clovis Point campground had been crowded with RV's, we saw only two fishing boats on our trip up to Salt Creek. The seclusion was conducive to wildlife watching, as was Scott's super-sleek Coho kayak, it cuts through flat water like a scalpel, leaving barely a ripple in its wake. We slipped up on this lovely whitetail doe foraging on the lake shore. Before returning, to the fishing dock we saw several more deer and a few beavers.

Because I had allowed the hour to get a bit late, paddling back to Clovis Point provided a bit of a workout (much eased by in the cool of the evening). On the way back Scott and I met up with Ron, another local kayaker. Ron paddles an Old Town Loon. It is a Sit-Inside fishing kayak, much like Dianne's new Vapor 12. Ron is a swell guy (with a used whitewater kayak for sale, ping me if you want) and he lives not too far from my house. Mark has paddled this part of Oklahoma for decades; I hope to learn from him some more trips to share on this kayaking blog.

I hear some of the Oklahoma Flatwater Paddlers visited Lawton for some scenic paddling. Anybody else make the most out of this somewhat wet weekend in Oklahoma? Drop me a comment or fine me on Twitter, Flickr, Facebook, etc.

Happy Paddling!

Chronic Summer Wanderlust

Although our recent trip to the Illinois River was great, it really got me itching to paddle some new waters. Reading other bloggers talking about their awesome summer road trips is just making it worse. I was reading the Gliding Calm blog this morning. The author is traveling across the US, while working toward sticking to her rather strict diet (she is a chia seed dieter like me). As she visits state after state, I am struggling to find time to hit a few paddling spots right in my neighborhood! Thankfully, this month we will be visiting the Upper Mt. Fork River for the first time.

Speaking of the Mountain Fork River, I hear through Twitter that Broken Bow's Lower Mountain Fork River is back open for canoe and kayak float trips and trout fishing. This is great news, the LMF River is our favorite Oklahoma paddling location. According to American Whitewater's site: The Tulsa Wave is running and Arkansas' Saline River at Dierks Lake is kicking up some great whitewater. Happy paddling!

Illinois River Float Trip May 2009

Dianne and I joined up with Yakker for a Friday trip down the scenic Illinois River (self-shuttled because it is good to have friends). At just a bit over 4 feet, the river level was perfect for our entire trip - no dragging and no paddling in treetops. Just the way I like it. We launched from the public access at No Head Hollow off Highway 10 and paddled down to the public take-out at the Highway 62 Bridge.

Just about 15 minutes into our trip, Dianne spots a Bald Eagle perched on a tree. It even let us get close enough to take some decent pictures (on Flickr) before making an abrupt departure! I wish we could have gotten on the water by 7am instead of 9am. Osprey frequent this river as well. Due to hitting the water around 9am on a weekday, we saw only a few canoes and two kayaks paddling the river with us. The weather, like the water level, was perfect at 70+ degrees and very little wind.

We saw lots of large carp, several large blue herons and dozens of turtles. I saw one canoe turnover, not due to an obstacle, but rather a poor launch. Although there are no real rapids on the Illinois River float trip we took, there are some downed trees to avoid and barely submerged root balls from past flooding. Although you watch out for these, you are bound to get the occasional unexpected bump. In this situation, you are a greater risk to your boat than the obstacle. React calmly and the collision is usually no big deal. However, if you get spooked you could end up swimming (more likely wading) this Class I water.

I paddled my old Perception Swifty, Dianne paddled her 12 foot Old Town Vapor and Yakker had his newly purchased Dagger Edisto. Despite paddling a somewhat tippy 15 foot touring kayak, Yakker admirably managed the few obstacles the river threw at us. Dianne's Vapor performed well and my old Swifty just about has this river memorized. We stopped on a gravel bar for a brief snack and again at Todd Public Access for a bathroom break. Unlikely the other public access points on our trip, Todd Public Access is on the East side of the river.

After we made it to the take-out at the Highway 62 Bridge, we were all eager to find some grub. However, my priority was to rummage through the outfitters stores for some kayaking t-shirts. I grabbed some decent canoeing shirts from the stores at Diamondhead Resort and War Eagle Resort, but alas...no kayaking shirts. Thankfully, right next to War Eagle's outfitter store we found Fatty's BBQ!

I was hungy enough to eat the butt out of a skunk by the time the paddling and shopping was concluded. The smoke rising from Fatty's was a sight for sore eyes and sunburned ears. We enjoyed Pulled Pork sandwiches and Potato Salad Alfresco from Fatty's BBQ. The shady seats and Doors music set the mood for basking in the afterglow of a perfect day of paddling. The pulled pork was delicious.

Those of you who went to work on Friday, truly have my pity.

Illinois River Watershed Appreciation Day June 6, 2009 from 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Lake Fayetteville.

Family Fun on Flatwater

We stayed close to home this Memorial Day Weekend, but still managed to squeeze in a little bit of paddling between the Oklahoma monsoons.

Saturday, we linked up with a couple friends and paddled around the marina at Lake Eufaula. We had to wait until fairly late in the afternoon for the rain to stop, but eventually it did stop. Eufaula was bustling with boats and every variety of wake sport enthusiast. I enjoyed the easy launch from the boat ramp and getting to check out Greg's new Dagger Edisto kayak.

After sleeping in on Sunday, we decided to do some family style paddling in Henryetta, Oklahoma. Jim Hall Lake is the reservoir lake just southeast of Henryetta. It was not crowded with campers, like the Lake Eufaula marina area we visited yesterday. We saw only a few groups of tent campers and two other boats on the lake. Once again, we successfully dodged the rain showers. Dianne was paddling her new Vapor 12 kayak, we put Dylan in my old Perception Swifty and I paddled the Heritage Angler kayak.

I always enjoy taking pictures of Dianne and Dylan paddling around in the sunset. Now that we have three kayaks, I hope we can spend more time together on the water this summer. Jim Hall Lake is an easy-to-find spot for picnics, flatwater paddling, fishing and sunset chasing. We will surely be back.

We Got Water, Now Get a Kayak

Rivers all over the area are running fast and high. Good news, if you are one of the unlucky folks like myself who are NOT going to be paddling the Buffalo River this weekend with the local flatwater paddling group. Did that sound bitter? Seriously, this is the primo time of year to paddle the Buffalo National River. Get there while the water is fast and the redbuds are in bloom, don't wait for summer.

The North Canadian River, the Illinois River, Deep Fork, just about every river in my area is benefiting from the surprise snowfall last weekend. So get out there and paddle something quick before it all flows away! Don't have your kayak yet? There is a kayak demo day in Dallas this month and Dave Lindo at OKC Kayak has a ready supply of great kayaks you can try out. My favorite kayak features are: ten or twelve foot length, foot pegs, comfy seat, deck webbing, and capacity of at least 200lbs.

Dallas REI Store Paddle Demo Day will be held April 11, 2009 at White Rock Lake.
Try out the latest canoes, kayaks and accessories for free! Time: 11 am - 3 pm. Test boats to see how they handle and get paddling tips from REI staff and vendors at free paddling clinics. Take home a coupon for 15% off a boat.

Of course, if you are not ready to buy a kayak yet, you can always rent a kayak instead. Just get out there and paddle some sunsets.

Ancient Forest Near Tulsa Area Lake

This may be the year I address the flood of email requests I get for Tulsa area paddling spots. Other than a brief paddling trip to Lake Bixhoma, Dianne and I haven't tried much kayaking near Tulsa. Normally, we avoid paddling near metro areas, as the required permits and regulations can be a pain to chase down.

However, I recently learned that Sand Springs, Oklahoma is home to Keystone Lake and the eastern shoreline of Lake Keystone is home to the Keystone Ancient Forest. I personally did not know that Oklahoma offered hiking through a 1,300-acre old-growth forest.

Now that I know about the old-growth forest...I would like to see it for myself. The confluence of the Arkansas and Cimarron Rivers is said to be visible from the high ground on the nature preserve...but you can't go there alone. To protect the park, hikes through the Keystone Ancient Forest are only allowed for groups of ten or more.

Since the lake looks like a good one for paddling, I've decided to move Keystone Lake up to the top of my Priority Paddling List. If only there were some group of local kayakers that I could team up with, maybe we could get a reservation to visit the Keystone Ancient Forest and paddle the lake on the same day.

Anyone out there ever checked out the old-growth forest on Keystone Lake? Can you paddle to it?

Preparing for Spring Paddling in the Ozarks

With today's low wind and high temps, it is clearly and excellent day for winter kayaking in Oklahoma. Naturally, you can't get weather like this on the weekend. I would take a sick day to go paddling on a day like this, but wouldn't you know it...I'm already sick. I picked up a head cold somewhere, so I will be spending this wonderful 70 degree February day at home sneezing like crazy. More warm weather is currently on tap for tomorrow, but the wind speeds and rain chances are higher as well. Since I am likely to be sick all week, I will miss this fine weather, hopefully you will be more lucky.

If you do get out for some paddling, do me a favor and wear a PFD, the water is still quite cold.

Do You Facebook?

I've been trying to learn the ropes on FaceBook this week. With Spring kayaking season just aroung the corner and the Tulsa job market tightening, I thought that this would be a great time to expand my social network. I've already managed to form ties with a couple of my friends from the Oklahoma Flatwater Paddlers, a large amount of my wife's family and several friends from High School. I haven't figured out all of the applications on FB yet, but I cannot help but be impressed with its ability to locate old buddies that I have not spoken to in years. If you are a local paddler in the Tulsa area and you find yourself on Facebook, send a friend request for Thomas Jones in Okmulgee, OK. Maybe we can go paddling sometime soon.

I hope to be hale and hearty again in time to make a trip to OKC for the Paddlesports and Outdoor Gear Swap at OKC Kayak March 6th and 7th. I recently aquired some neoprene waders, that would be excellent for Winter kayaking, but they are one size too small for my comfort. I also have some kayaking DVD's I could part with.

The Buffalo River & The Kings River

Float trip outfitters throughout the Ozarks have begun inspecting their rivers in preparation for the Spring paddling season. The early February ice storms have created some serious timber issues this year for both paddlers and outfitters on the Buffalo River and the Kings River in nearby Arkansas.

The last I heard, the popular Ponca-to-Kyle's-Landing Buffalo River float isn't possible because Kyle's Landing Access is closed. The nearest take-out to Ponca is the Erbie access 15 miles downstream. The Steel Creek access, just below Ponca, Arkansas is also closed. To check the status of the Buffalo National River access points, visit the Buffalo River park's Web site, www.nps.gov/buff or call park headquarters at (870) 365-2700.

Parched Oklahoma Finally Gets Some Rain and Too Much Wind

North Canadian River
Originally uploaded by FreeWine

Water levels are up in many area lakes and rivers such as the Illinois River, the Mulberry River, the North Canadian River, The Buffalo, The Kiamichi River and even old muddy Deep Fork. Sadly, the winds were deadly, our prayers will be with the victims in tornado struck Lone Grove and Edmond, Oklahoma.

Adding more excitement in my area is: powerline tree trimming by helicopter! You should see the high flying helicopter horror show happening right outside my window today. About half a dozen whirling blades dangling from a very low hanging chopper. Without a doubt...today is a scary day to be a squirrel!

I got my kayak out this weekend and paddled for a couple hours on the North Canadian River, but the low water levels at the time made it more like plowing than paddling. At least it was a warm and fairly sunny day.

OU Sooners Gifts

January Sunsets on the Deep Fork River

I hope many of you got out on the local lakes and rivers for some winter paddling during the recent warm spell. It is snowing at my house today, but I'm willing to bet there are going to be a few more 60+ degree days before Spring arrives. Taking advantage of Oklahoma's occasionally warm winter days are one of the best advantages that come from buying a kayak or living near an outfitter.

I recently got out on the Deep Fork River for paddling with my friend Yakker, from Checotah. He tried his luck at kayak fishing, while I tried to grab some pictures. We launched from the wonderfully handy Deep Fork River boat ramp on at the bridges on Highway 266 between Dewar and Grayson. The water is deeper than most parts of the river, so you can paddle this portion of the river in the dryest of seasons. The high muddy banks provide good protection from the winter winds. There was little to no current running, we could sure use some rain around here. I brought paddling gloves, and an extra set of dry clothes just in case the weather changed unexpectedly.

The scenery may look lame early in the day on Deep Fork, but as you near sundown the sunken trees start to take on a surreal look. Don't leave your digital camera at home, winter provides some stunning sunsets that truly light up the Deep Fork River. Remeber to prepare for the water and the weather...cold kills and camera film gets brittle when the temps fall. That being said, flatwater paddling on Oklahoma lakes and low current rivers can really spice up your winter.

Got a local lake you like to savor the sunset on? Drop us a comment!

Cold Season Kayaking is Common in Oklahoma

My son Dylan and I slipped out last week for a few hours of sunset paddling. It was his first time paddling in the winter, so I hooked him up with some paddling gloves and a spray skirt. Okmulgee Lake was calm and beautiful from our warm and bright 3:30pm launch until our chilly 6pm return. Despite the unseasonably warm 72 degree weather, we saw more Osprey than fishermen!

This Saturday's forecast calls for more 70 degree temps and you know what that means...more winter kayaking! Since there are also likely to be gusty winds, river kayaking is preferable to lake kayaking.

Some of the Oklahoma Flatwater Paddlers are planning on doing some kayaking around OKC.

Dianne and I have been discussing kayaking on the Deep Fork River just off Highway 266 between Dewar and Grayson, Oklahoma. I don't expect any current, but this part of the Deep Fork River is deep enough to maintain a decent level for kayaking even during dry seasons. This spot also offers great parking and easy access to the water via boat ramp!

I hope all of my paddling friends out there got some cool kayaking gear for Christmas. I got a black kayaking t-shirt and some neoprene cold water paddling pants, shirt and even kayaking socks! Having the right gear certainly makes winter paddling more fun.

I'm trying to talk Dianne into a trip to Caddo Lake in February for some Texas paddling. I foolishly choose Valentines Day for our wedding, so now I can rarely get reservations to take her out to celebrate it. I figure Texas is likely to be a bit warmer in February and if not... we can always go bowling!

Dianne thinks we should probably stay closer to home in Tulsa or OKC, just in case the weather gets icy. Planning winter road trips can be risky if you have to make reservations. Got any tips?

Off Season Mountain Fork River Paddling

Paddling The Chute
Originally uploaded by FreeWine

This Fall, Dianne and I were asked to help the folks from the Chevy Outdoors Sporting Journal do an article on kayaking the Lower Mountain Fork River in Broken Bow, Oklahoma.

Those of you who know me, also know that the LMF River is my favorite spot for Oklahoma kayaking. I was eager for a trip to Broken Bow, so when they offered to 'pay the freight', it was a deal that was too good to refuse.

They sent a writer up from Texas and a pair of photographers down from Detroit and we all spent an exhausting five hours on the four-mile whitewater section of the Mt. Fork River. The photographers piloted a canoe down the river without incident, but the writer got an unexpected opportunity to practice self-rescue. He fell off of his rented SOT kayak passing through the Rock Garden. Considering the huge amount of high-end camera gear in the photographer's canoe, I am glad it was the writer who got to swim!

Kayaking in Broken Bow, Oklahoma is awesome just about anytime of year, but I prefer it in the so-called off-season. We enjoyed an excellent water level and encountered no crowds. The air was cool enough for us to stay out all day, but warm enough for them to spend a lot of time in the water trying to get the perfect picture. I hope they had as much fun on this Southeastern Oklahoma road trip as Dianne and I did. Next time, I'll bet that writer gets a kayak with a spray skirt for this river!

You can see an excerpt from the article and a few pictures on the Chevy Outdoors Sporting Journal website.

OKC Holiday River Parade Nov 28, 2008

The fifth Annual Devon Energy Holiday River Parade is scheduled for Friday, November 28, 2008 at 6 p.m. The day after Thanksgiving, the Oklahoma River will come to life and illuminate the night with decorated boats of every shape and size and FIREWORKS!
http://www.okcevents.info/

Admission and parking are free. The event will feature afternoon entertainment at Wiley Post Park and Regatta Park as well as a nighttime holiday parade concluding with a spectacular fireworks show. Last year the Devon Energy River Parade attracted more than 40,000 people to the shoreline of the Oklahoma River. This event is perfect for the entire family and the ideal way to kick-start the holiday season. Next, to OKC snow tubing, this may be the most fun event in OKC!

Net proceeds from the Devon Energy Holiday River Parade will benefit the Oklahoma River Foundation. The foundation was established in 2004 and is managed by the Oklahoma City Community Foundation. In just four short years, the river parade has contributed approximately $400,000 to the Oklahoma River Foundation for future improvements to the Oklahoma River and the 14-mile trail system.

Anyone can enter and compete in the boat parade. There is no entry fee for the parade; however, participants are asked to make a contribution to the Oklahoma River Foundation.

Boat entry forms are at the Parade Registration link, metro-area boat dealers or Oklahoma City Events located at 100 Park Avenue, Suite 700 in downtown Oklahoma City. Corporate and individual sponsorships for the Devon Energy River Parade are available. For sponsorship or event information, contact the event chairman Mike McAuliffe at (405) 602-1531.

River Paddling is Best at Sunrise and Sunset

River Paddling is Best at Sunrise and Sunset
Originally uploaded by FreeWine

Autumn is here and we are finally seeing some more rain here in Northeastern, Oklahoma!

This is my favorite season for river kayaking and lake paddling. Fall often ends quickly in Oklahoma, so now is the time to hit the rivers. The Illinois River around Tahlequah, Oklahoma and the Kiamichi River near Antlers, Oklahoma are both lovely in the Fall. They also require a bit of recent rainfall for the best float trips. Summer is the big paddling season, but you can bet on seeing much more wildlife and much fewer boats on any of Oklahoma's scenic rivers in the Fall, once the rains have begun.

Over in North Arkansas, The Ouachita River is flowing and there a many parts of The Buffalo National River at the optimal level for river kayaking or canoe trips.

In Southern Arkansas, I see the Caddo River above Degray Lake is up to around 6 feet deep. You can head to Glenwood, Arkansas, not too far from Hot Springs, and visit Caddo River Camping & Canoe Rental.

Starting November 1st they will be having their Big Annual Canoe & Kayak Sale. They sell off their fleet each year in the Fall, in order to provide new boats for floaters next season. The best level to float the Caddo River is from five and half to six and half foot deep, so check the Caddo River water level before planning a trip. Caddo River kayak outfitters and lodging providers.

My kayaks are starting to show their age, so I have been looking at some new kayak prices lately. The idea of being a used model sounds good, but I rarely see an outfitter using a model I like.

The Oklahoma Flatwater Paddlers have another Broken Bow trip planned. If you haven't paddled the Lower Mt. Fork River yet, this is a great chance to kayak down the funest four miles in Oklahoma.

See you on the water!

Bowling and Paddling in Oklahoma

Riverlanes in Tulsa
Originally uploaded by FreeWine

Surf and Turf - OklahomaRoadTrips.com Style

Dianne and I have been spending a lot more time bowling lately. Bowling is a great lifelong sport that really compliments our particular brand of recreational river and lake kayaking. Like kayaking, bowling can be enjoyed alone, with friends or with the whole family. High tech and personalized bowling gear is easy to find and fairly affordable online or at Pro Shops everywhere. Bowling centers can be found in every area we travel to and they make a great side trip or alternative when the weather doesn't favor paddling trips. When paddling the LMF River we can bowl in Idabel and when paddling the Illinois River we can bowl in Tahlequah.

Our favorite bowling centers in Oklahoma are RiverLanes Bowling in Tulsa and Henryetta Lanes in Henryetta, Oklahoma. River Lanes is a large, full featured bowling center with all of the frills. Henryetta Lanes is about thirty minutes closer to our house and MUCH more affordable. Sadly, they have no automated score keeping system, which forces me to do math on the weekend. The Henryetta bowling center is small, but friendly...currently open weekends only.

Sahoma Lanes in Sapulpa is another local favorite. Like RiverLanes, they are a large bowling center with a big arcade, bar, glo-bowling, automatic score-keeping, etc. and a good Pro Shop. Bowling at big centers like these is fun early in the afternoon until late into the evening. It is a rewarding sport for couples as long as you can compete with each other in a friendly way.

Tips for new bowlers:

• Buy yourself some bowling shoes quickly. They are cheap, so it won't take you many trips to the bowling alley to save the money you spent on them.



• Bowling is more fun if you buy your own bowling ball. It also hurts less. Dianne and I bought a couple of Ebonite Tornado bowling balls. That model is for novice bowlers hoping to learn more advanced bowling techniques.



• Bowling games take awhile, so plan accordingly. Dianne and I find that we can bowl about three games per hour. Of course, with more players each game takes longer. When we bowl with our Son and Dianne's Mother, the games take twice as long. No matter how fast you throw them, it takes awhile for the pins to reset and the ball to return. If you want to speed things up...throw more strikes.



• Try to find off-prime days and times to bowl. Bowling Centers usually offer reduced pricing on weekdays or late at night. Planning your weekly bowling night on a Thursday might save you a bundle.



• Watch some of the old PBA Bowling Tournaments they show on ESPN Classic on weekday mornings. They offer loads of tips on becoming a better bowler. Also, it is amazing to see the wide range of body shapes that make up Pro Bowling. Whatever you look like, there is likely to be a Pro Bowler who looks like you...but bowls the occasional Perfect Game.


Search the web for nearby bowling centers before heading out on any road trips. Bowling makes a great addition to any paddling trip.
...More info on bowling centers in Oklahoma.

The End of The Illinois River User Fee Wristband

This summer will be the last year that the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission will charge floaters a user fee! Since 1984, floaters have been required to pay user fees to float the river and its tributaries. Personally, I didn't mind paying the buck, but wearing the wristband was an annoyance I will happily do without.

The change came about when Senator Jim Wilson of Tahlequah, successfully sought passage of Senate Bill 1381. Provisions of Senate Bill 1381 terminate the $1.00 User Fee charged to floaters, effective on January 1, 2009. Kudos to Senator Wilson!

Another great bit of info I picked up from the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission website is this:

Wearing life jackets saves lives. The common factor among all the drownings this year was that none of the victims were wearing life jackets. - RIVER CURRENTS (Volume 5 Issue 2), 8/2/2008 PDF

I always wear a Kayaking PFD every time that I paddle in the Illinois River or any of the other streams and lakes in Oklahoma.

Lake Bixhoma by Kayak

Lake Bixhoma by Kayak
Originally uploaded by FreeWine

Bixhoma Lake is just off Highway 64 near the small village of Leonard, Oklahoma. It is a small, fairly clear, no-wake lake with no camping or facilities to speak of. Offering a mere 3 miles of shoreline and 110 surface acres, the lake is strictly for quiet boats.

Quiet little Bixhoma Lake is only a short drive from South Tulsa. If you are a Tulsa kayaker looking to get your new boat wet someplace safe, Bixhoma is a pretty good choice. Lake hours are Monday through Saturday from 6am-10pm. It is also quite near Haskell, Oklahoma which happens to be the home of two Oklahoma wineries: Stone Bluff Cellars & Lavendar Hill Farm & Winery.

Paddling Lake Bixhoma today was lovely. The water was still as glass when we first launched and a breeze developed just as the temps started to get hot. The ridge line that surrounds the lake was vivid green with a mixture of hardwood trees. The park only has a couple picnic tables and an outhouse. We saw a family of three fishing from a tiny Bass Scamp and a lone man float fishing in a tube on our visit other than that we had the lake to ourselves on this cool summer morning.

The late summer water level was too low to paddle very far up the feeder creek for Lake Bixhoma. However, as we drove down Highway 64 toward Leonard, I could not help but notice Snake Creek.

Snake Creek looked fairly wide and deep enough for paddling when we drove across the Highway 64 bridge, but I did not see any place to park and launch the kayaks.

Any folks out there who know where you can launch a boat onto Snake Creek outside of Bixby, Oklahoma?

More details on our OklahomaRoadTrips.com Lake Bixhoma webpage.

Planning a Labor Day Canoe Trip?

Labor Day marks the traditional end of the Summer season. Some canoe outfitters will shut down after the holiday weekend and the kids are returning to school. I'm starting to look forward to cooler temps, more water, less river traffic and the Autumn color changes.

River levels are still pretty low around most of Oklahoma, but the LMF River has enough flow to paddle.

The Caddo River in Arkansas has caught some water recently as well as parts of the Buffalo River. Speaking of Arkansas rivers, the Oklahoma Flatwater Paddlers are making a trip to the White River for the holiday. It sounds like a great trip. The White River is about 5 hours drive for us, but well worth it for the misty paddling on waters that feel positively air-conditioned!

I am planning on trying to get our little kayaks on Lake Bixhoma, a tiny no-wake lake just outside of Bixby, Oklahoma. However, there are some municipal permit issue to resolve first (sigh). I don't mind spending the money, but as usual the city does nothing to make this process easy or painless. Personally, I like the lake permit vending machine that Arbuckle Lake offers at the Guy Sandy Boat Ramp. Bixby demands a visit to City Hall or the local police station. I'm told the lake is quite scenic and it is always nice to find a no-wake zone for canoe and kayak paddling.

Got any tips for paddling at Lake Bixhoma?

Winter Lake Kayaking and Chasing Sunsets

A Fine Winter Day for Paddling
Originally uploaded by FreeWine

I had such a good time kayaking on Sunday afternoon, I had to shoot my boat afterwards! (see photo) Dianne and I found Sunday's windless and sunny conditions impossible to resist. We got a late start, but still managed to enjoy a couple of hours of fine winter paddling on Dripping Springs Lake.

New Kayaking Gloves

We got to test out some new paddling gear. Both of us had some new cold water paddling gloves to try out and I was trying out some motorcycle rain gear. Motorcycle rain suits offer some cool benefits for winter kayaking: they are waterproof, windproof and made to pull over whatever you are wearing. Also, they are cheaper than any drysuit you will find. I found the rainsuit pants worked well, but the rainsuit top was too noisy. Since I like trying to sneak up on raptors and stuff in my kayak, I can't really do noisy.

The cold water kayaking gloves I had on were made from neoprene and polar fleece. Get some, they rock! Dianne had some new kayaking gloves too, but didn't find much need for them as we added some Yakgrips Kayak Paddle Grips (great product!) to her paddle. Unless it is much colder, her Yakgrips alone are fine. I tend to muck about more in the water, so I prefer gloves. Your mileage may vary...the important thing is to get out there and chase some sunsets!

Chasing Sunsets on Dripping Springs Lake

For Kayak Photography, I like to put in the kayaks right by the fishing dock at Clovis Point on Dripping Springs Lake. I paddle out from the shore and then due West across the lake. On the West side of the Lake, I shoot the sunset until it starts to fade out and the shade makes me cold.

Then, I paddle Eastward back the way I came across the lake, quick as I can. After just a couple minutes of paddling, I turn the kayak back around to the West and I see...another sunset to photograph! I can usually do this at least three or four times an evening, gaining another sunset each time.

It may sound goofy, but I manage to have a blast doing this everytime I try it. I get some excercise, some photo hunting and even the occasional bit of wildlife viewing. Best of all, I can repeat the process on any of the vast number of Oklahoma lakes that dot the Sooner State landscape.

I can't wait to see them all. Happy Paddling!

Kayaker gloves are ideal for any water adventure including kayaking, canoeing, and rafting. They also work great gripping the handles of recreational water craft or water ski tows. Chota and Stearns are both popular brand names for canoe & kayak gloves.




Technorati Tags: Kayaking Oklahoma

Oklahoma Outdoors Enthusiasts on Tick Watch

Check Yourself and Your Kids for Ticks

More and more Oklahomans are suffering the symptoms of a new kind of tick bacteria that is spreading across the country.

The newly discovered bacterium is called the 'Southern Tick Associated Rash Illness' or 'STARI'. Because of the recent period of unusually hot weather, the ticks are not getting killed off during the winter. This means the ticks are around longer and are breeding faster.

Since so little is known about STARI disease, experts say, look for a tick bite that leaves a red, bulls-eye rash.

More Insect Repelling Clothes from Buzz-Off...

Technorati Tags: Oklahoma Outdoors, Tick Illness, STARI