Smash Rock on the Jacks Fork

 Every year in early spring, Smash Rock stands between me and inner peace. As my rendezvous with Smash Rock approaches, I concentrate on little else. My sole mission hardens into a successful negotiation past this looming Lorelei. Smash Rock could … Read More

Aerial Ballet

She was young and impressionable. So I talked her off her limb and she demonstrated that she knew how to fish. She danced and dove, swerved and tumbled, and relished in her onlooker’s delight. Or so I believe. Her parents … Read More

Ozarks Colors

From Chalk bluff on the Jacks Fork… …to Rocky Falls and Blue Spring…

Jacks Fork Rescue

The Jacks Fork was high and so was I–paddler’s high–when we heard the screams for help. Three young innertubers were stranded on the bank. They’d lost everything: tubes, cooler, flipflops and cell phones. Yes, cell phones. On a break from … Read More

Over Rocky Falls In A Barrel?

“Would you go down Rocky Falls in that?” He pointed to a submarine in the yard at River’s Edge Resort. “Not on your life,” I laughed. “Although today there might be enough water.” Earlier that morning, we had hoped to … Read More

Foggy Falls

Image of Rocky Falls in the fog. Shannon County near Jacks Fork River.

Out of the mist: Rocky Falls in Shannon County.

Gusher

Alley Spring mill race. 84 million gallons of water per day.