Round Spring
On a very hot Saturday in July, approximately 14 OMP members met at the Round Spring ranger station on the Current River. Ranger Mike Simpson had arranged 2 service projects with the National Park. One group (Mike & Jeanne Simpson, Wes & Penny Roberson, Ed McClung, Lean McKay, Steve Owens and Michael Baird) built a beautiful rock wall in the campground. The other group (Remus, Maria and Nathaniel Grindstaff, Jason & Angela Frantz, and Sue Pyle) rebuilt several picnic tables for use in the campground. The park was very appreciative and impressed with our work!
After cooling off in the river, we set up camp in group site #9. Several more folks (The Austin family, including Christine's brother and kids, Joe Hooper, Madeleine Kernen, and Kathy Coe) showed up in the afternoon. That evening, Mike Simpson took the group on a tour through the very impressive Round Spring Cave. He taught us about cave ecology, and how what happens above ground affects cave life.
The next morning, it was time to relax! We put on the Current at Pulltite, and lazily floated down to Round Spring. There were plenty of stops - once to see Pulltite Spring and cabin, and many times to swim and cool off. It was a great day on the river.
According to those involved the combination of doing a volunteer project and then floating on a cool clear river on a hot day was really enjoyed. We may have to do this again next year!
Jeanne Simpson
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