2nd Annual Float & Tip

After the success of last year, several fraternity brothers and I set off on another float trip adventure this past weekend.

We drove more than five hours through the Show-Me State to the depths of southern Missouri (taken out the window going 70 mph).

We finally arrived outside Eminence, Mo., Friday evening and set up camp on the bank of the Jacks Fork River.

Opposite the sunset, the full moon rose through the trees.

We purposely chose the "loud" section of the campground. The music being played was definitely more rockin' than Kumbaya.

Chicken in a Biscuit in one hand, Easy Cheese in the other. Life is good.

We all awoke early Saturday morning, made breakfast, and waited for the bus to come pick us up at 8:30 (after using the camera's self-timer, propped on top of a cooler).

Our four canoes shoved off from Alley Spring State Park right at 9 a.m.

Bartles & James.

The first of many throughout the day.

Also, the first of many throughout the day.

Carl and Jay getting the most out of their float t(r)ip experience.

Water fights.

Shane.

Chad and Ken.

One of the funniest things all day, was when Craig and James tried to manuever their canoe over some rapids between this log and the shore. They ended up dangerously close to the angled log, forcing James (in front) to lean all the way back until he was practically laying flat. But Craig (in the back) actually went over the log and — without saying a word — ended up stradling it, as if he had planned it all along! Their canoe kept on going without James even realizing it. They couldn't do it again if they tried.

So we used it as an excuse to stop for a break ... and some more laughs.

Again this year, the weather was absolutely perfect.

Ken-jive.

James divin' and swimmin'.


Since Jacks Fork is spring-fed, the water's especially clear and cool.

Craig makes a good Huck Finn.

"We all live in a yellow submarine..."

Paddling hard on the homestretch.

We ended up floating 14 miles to Two Rivers in seven-and-a-half hours.

Already looking forward to doing it again next year.