Adventure Blog
Here's where you'll find the latest (and not so latest) updates on Arkansas adventure.For a different kind of adventure visit The Gravel Bar Philosopher.
Bears and Bearing Responsibility
1892. That's the last time a fatal bear attack was recorded in Arkansas - until 2025. Since September of this year we have suffered two tragic losses to families, both human and ursine, along with an unnerving and protracted encounter on the Ozark Highlands Trail. Two...
Kayaks 101
Why no kayaks? my friend challenged. I'll admit I was stumped. Was this a trick question? He persisted. Why is there nothing about kayaks? He'd caught me off guard, but even if he hadn't I'd still have needed context to answer. I eventually realized, though, I didn't...
Just the Place – Lower Buffalo River
Fellow adventurers, have you decided it's finally time to try a multi-day float? And if you have, are you wondering where that float should be? Well, good - I know just the place! Okay Deuce, where? I'm glad you asked! No, not the bow of Blue Steel. You're welcome...
Sweet Release
Fellow adventurers, have you been outside lately? There's no getting around it - it's hot! I couldn't stick around to confirm, but I was pretty sure I saw a chicken lay an omelette last week. Hot or cold though, adventurers gotta adventure, so what to do? I'll tell...
Tents 101
Fellow adventurer, are you a stuffer? Deuce, what I do with my feelings is really none of your business. Sorry about that! I was talking about tents, not feelings. Oh. In that case stuffer all the way! Me too. The first thing I do when I get a new tent is remove...
Rambles, Runes & Respite
Fellow adventurers, there was no getting around it. The Arkansas Adventure Guide crew was beat. In addition to meeting the usual demands of life, negotiating a series of welcome and rewarding but by no means effortless changes had left us - well, as I said, beat. We...
Blue Steel: the Anatomy of an Oar Raft
You may recall that about this time last year The Guide took you along on the setup of an oar frame for a friend's new raft. We only served you information on the frame, which admittedly is about like serving a potato without a steak, but we did promise to follow up...
Izzy the Adventure Dog
The Guide has big news! We have added a member to the Arkansas Adventure Guide crew. Fellow Adventurers, I'd like to introduce Izzy the Adventure Dog, a four year old Doberman mix weighing in at forty pounds of pure adventure and snuggles. I'll be honest. We'd kicked...
Ridge Ramblin’
12.9 miles. That's about ten percent of the drive the Arkansas Adventure Guide crew usually undertakes (one way) for an outing. It's nice though, to be able to walk out the back door on a bluebird Sunday afternoon and be immersed in pure Arkansas adventure twenty...
Opting Outside: A Buffalo River Christmas Part II
If you missed Part I check it out here. If there's one thing adventuring outdoors has taught me it is flexibility, especially when it comes to planning around Ma Nature. We can't control the weather, fellow adventurers. We can embrace it, face it, avoid it or adjust...