OKO: April 2008

Jacks Fork River - April 2001

In April, 2001, Ray and I undertook a canoing/camping trip on the Jacks Fork River, near Eminence, Missouri. The Jacks Fork, which is within the Ozark National Scenic Riverways (a national park) is a relatively narrow river that flows in the larger Current River. With adequate rainfall, it can be quite thrilling in the upper reaches. The water is generally crystal clear (unless flooded). I recall that campsite are somewhat hard to find, which gives the river an isolated, pristine feeling. There are a number of caves along this river. Jam-Up cave, which is enormous, is the most famous. See photo in the slideshow. The Jacks Fork cuts through towering bluffs, as well as low lands. One quiet evening, sitting before a dwindling campfire along the bank, we heard a an animal moving through the woods on the other side of the river. Then we hear a large cat of some kind growl and then continue to move downstream. It's an unnerving sound. I imagine it may have been a Lynx. In any case, it sounded like something from a zoo!

For some reason, I have never taken the time to make a slideshow of the images before. In anticipation of a return trip this coming May, I found the old photos and made a slide show that can be see here: SLIDESHOW

Now It's Really Spring Around Here!

The magnolia tree outside of the house is starting to bloom. I don't know what kind of bush that is with the yellow flowers; it's on the next block and looks spectacular.