TWL: Introduction
Greetings All -
I began boating on small lakes in Michigan when I was about 13. I kept an
interest in small boating over the next 35 years through intermittent
ownership of runabouts but I was mostly interested in my career as an
archaeologist. In the early 90s, during a reorganization, I begin buying
boating magazines to relieve the stress. The magazines led to books which
led to ... well you all know how serious these addictions can be!
After the reorganization, Suzanne (who is also an archaeologist) and I
wound up in Madison working for USDA and the University of Wisconsin. The
addiction continued so we decided to try "serious boating. We joined the US
Power Squadron, and begin hanging out with Great Lakes cruising folks. The
downward spiral continued and we devoured books on cruising, took USPS
courses, and purchased a small cruiser (25' 1977 Trojan) to use on Lake
Michigan and "learn the ropes." We liked our experiences so much that we
decided to plan an early retirement (2004) and cruise full time. Initially,
our plan called for purchasing the boat at or near retirement - but we had
an "ideal scenario" that would only work if we were able to get jobs down
south. I know some of you live aboard as far (or farther) north as
Wisconsin - but we weren't sure we were quite that tough!
We were fortunate. Suzanne applied for and got a job in Little Rock and I
arranged a transfer for my position. So - we sold the house, gave the kids
as much as we could cajole them to take, and had garage sales and trash
dumping parties for the rest. Last January, Suzanne moved to Little Rock
while I stayed in Madison to finish up details. In February we closed on
our boat (a 1983 Krogen 42) and in August we brought the boat down Lake
Michigan and through the Illinois system to the Mississippi and finally up
the Arkansas.
In two years we hope to retire and we will then cruise on down to the Gulf
and on the rest of the world! In the meantime, we are finding the Arkansas
to be a really excellent place to live and to take short cruises. We love
the boat and are spending a great deal of time learning systems and making
small changes so that it "works" for us.
We both enjoy the list and really appreciate all of the expertise.
Jeff
Jeff and Suzanne Kenyon
M/V Baloo
Krogen 42 - Hull No. 44
Living Aboard in Little Rock
kenyons@aristotle.net
Jeff, I'd never thought of being able to go up the Arkansas River, even
though I've considered the Missouri!
How far is the Arkansas River navigable from the Mississippi? This might
make an interesting "leg" on the Great Circle Route.
Now I'm wondering what other smaller rivers off the Mississippi there
might be that should be considered.
Jeff Kenyon wrote:
in August we brought the boat down Lake Michigan and through the >Illinois system to the Mississippi and finally up the Arkansas.
--
Bob McLeran mailto://rmcleran@ix.netcom.com
M/V "Sanderling" Docked at Point Patience Marina
Hailing port: Wianno MA Solomons, MD
Hampton 35 Trawler
Bob McLeran wrote:Now I'm wondering what other smaller rivers off the Mississippi there
might be that should be considered.
Bob,
Try the Alabama River.
We just did the trip and had a grand time.
See the full acct on our web site , add. below. 6 days of solitude, no marinas , docks or boats!!! That is in one direction only ,
must back track the same but all is worth the ride.
It is located at the confluence of the Tombigbee and Alabama River 45 miles above Mobile.
CCC and Pat
LETS ROLL!
Charles and Pat Culotta
Patterson, La.
Web Site: http://www.geocities.com/charlesculotta/
Bob -
The navigable part of the Arkansas River is really part of the
McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System. The Army Corps of
Engineers has some good information at the following Web address:
http://www.swl.usace.army.mil/navigation/mckarns.html
Their opening paragraph states:
"Four hundred and forty-five miles long with 17 locks and dams, the
McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System (MCKARNS) is a reliable,
year-round waterway into the Southwest. Essentially a series of navigation
pools connected by locks, the waterway enables vessels to overcome a
420-foot difference in elevation from the Mississippi River to the head of
navigation at Catoosa, Oklahoma."
We are in Little Rock which is about 130 miles upstream from where the
system enters the Mississippi. The river between the two is very nice and
has relatively light barge traffic. From Little Rock on up to Fort Smith,
the river is actually in a trough between the Ouchita and Ozark Mountains
and is absolutely gorgeous. I have not traveled beyond that up into
Oklahoma - but we will do so shortly.
There are not dozens of facilities along the route - but there are more
than enough to make cruising and anchoring out a very good experience.
Bluewater books (http://www.bluewaterweb.com) carries Bruce and Joyce
Johnson's Arkansas River Cruising Guide which is a must have. For
information on other rivers tributary to the Mississippi, I recommend that
you start with Quimby's Cruising Guide which covers (and I quote) "the
Mississippi, Tennessee, Tennessee-Tombigbee, Illinois, Black Warrior,
Monongahela, Ohio, Arkansas, Cumberland, Allegheny, Muskingum, Alabama,
Kanawha, Kentucky, Ouachita, Red, St. Croix and Missouri rivers." No
financial interest - just a satisfied customer.
We are amazed at how little long distance recreational traffic there is on
the Arkansas. I think part of it is due to the fact that you must travel
part of the Lower Mississippi to get to the system entrance at the White
River. This means that when you are finished with the Arkansas you either
have to head on down to the Gulf or proceed upstream against the
Mississippi current to eventually get into the Tenn-Tom. Both are doable
subject to your boat's range and power and the season of the river. The
system is definitely worth exploring.
If you decide to come through here - let us know and stop by for a visit.
We are located at the Little Rock Yacht Club/Hastings Bay Marina which is
at the confluence of the Maumelle and Arkansas Rivers.
Jeff
At 09:27 AM 12/13/01 -0500, you wrote:
Jeff, I'd never thought of being able to go up the Arkansas River, even
though I've considered the Missouri!
How far is the Arkansas River navigable from the Mississippi? This might
make an interesting "leg" on the Great Circle Route.
Now I'm wondering what other smaller rivers off the Mississippi there
might be that should be considered.
Jeff Kenyon wrote:
in August we brought the boat down Lake Michigan and through the
Illinois system to the Mississippi and finally up the Arkansas.
Bob McLeran mailto://rmcleran@ix.netcom.com
M/V "Sanderling" Docked at Point Patience Marina
Hailing port: Wianno MA Solomons, MD
Hampton 35 Trawler
Jeff and Suzanne Kenyon
M/V Baloo
Krogen 42 - Hull No. 44
Living Aboard in Little Rock
kenyons@aristotle.net