Siesta Fiesta float, October 7/8, 2006

The Siesta Fiesta float trip was held Oct 7 and 8 on the Buffalo Point to Rush section on the Buffalo River. We had between 32 and 36 attendees; I couldn’t come up with the same head count twice. Also Chief, Gracie, Abram, BJ, Poco and Polly rounded out the dog contingent. We also had a visitor from Florida, Joe Von Waldner; he may hold the record for traveling the longest distance to attend the SF. Saturday morning was very near to chilly, but by the time we put on the river it had warmed up nicely. The river level was low but not as low as some trips we have taken on that stretch.

We made our way down to the ceremonial Siesta Fiesta gravel bar at Toney Bend around 4 PM under clear blue skies. Once there, tables were set up for pre dinner snacking, lots of chips and some home made salsas and guacamole, along with smoked oysters and crackers and lots of other goodies. We got the grill going and Mike Camping made sure the chicken and steaks were cooked to perfection. Everyone got their fill but saved room for Carol’s carrot cake and pastel magico, Jeanne’s famous magic cake, which she cooked that evening in a Dutch oven. After dinner and desert, the musically gifted broke out their guitars, harmonicas and voices and sang lots of old campfire favorites and a few new ones also. Marc Graham did not let us down in the campfire department either. The fire was a popular place to be for those that didn’t pack enough warm clothes. Some folks headed for their tents and others stayed up a little later enjoying the good company.

Morning came with lots of fog, but not as cold as the day before. Ed McClung mast have made 15 pots of coffee, he had three pots going all the time it seemed. Before too long the breakfast crew, under the direction of Juan Forkner, had breakfast cooking. Migas for every body! After breakfast a few of the folks began loading up boats and heading down stream, while the rest of us enjoyed the sunny morning loafing on the gravel bar.

We christened Lean’s new boat before we eventually got moving and made it nearly a half-mile before we stopped at the gravel bar across from a big stair step bluff with a good swimming hole. The water was too cold for me to stay in very long but some were able to get in a good dip. We got moving again and made it to the take out at Rush around 3 PM or so. We got boats and gear loaded and several of us stopped at the Front Porch restaurant in Yellville and had some more food. It was a great time with a great bunch of people. And for once there were just as many Joe’s as there were Mike’s! Thanks to Jeanne for organizing the menu, to Mike for manning the grill, Jennifer and Dave for slicing all the meat, Juan for fabulous Migas and to everyone for bringing all the side dishes and for pitching in to do what needed to be done.

-- Joe Hooper