Current River Part 1

This is Days 1 and 2 of my 88-mile, 5-day paddle/camp trip on the Current River in Southern Missouri. We started at Baptist Camp and finished at Big Spring. Come along as Charlie, Tammy, Grey, Nick, Wes, Dawn and me explore this absolutely gorgeous river.

[@ianmatheson1156]

It's nice to see someone sitting in the back of the canoe with the weight up front. That's the same way I role. Greetings from Illinois.

[@SouthernPaddler]

Greetings my fellow paddler in Illinois!! Yes, I really enjoy that setup. It's a little more challenging if you don't have enough weight, but that's my preferred method!!

[@WBDE]

Between Pulltite and Round Spring you passed by a set of buildings on the east side of the river which is now the Current River State Park. Originally this was called The Alton Club and was a corporate retreat for the Alton Box Board Company and was used for entertaining customers and for corporate getaways. My grandfather was the president of the Alton Box Board Co. and acquired the land in the 1930's and developed the area in the 1940's. I used to love every opportunity to go down there. The 1960's was a time before floating on the Current River became popular; and Missouri Route 19 was still a gravel road.

[@SouthernPaddler]

How cool is that! I just looked it up on Google Maps. That was such a great trip and the Current River and that whole area is absolutely gorgeous! Thanks for sharing!!

[@GeorgiaPaddler]

Right on!! Loved it Dan! Thanks! Dang ole dog!😂

[@SouthernPaddler]

Thank you very much, Thomas! Yeah, that dog got me while I wasn't looking...lol!!

[@robjones8733]

y'all we had a goose tag along on one of our Chattooga trips...it was pretty funny, he was right out there with us paddling along, then hanging out for food at the camps ☺

[@user-so1mv9po2f]

That Mad River Canoe looks like an early one

[@SouthernPaddler]

You are correct. That's Grey and that was his Dad's canoe. Not sure of the year.

[@user-so1mv9po2f]

When Dupont started making Royalex they made there own mold and sold the hulls to different canoe companys so they all looked alike until they started making there own molds. That Mad River of your friends is one of them@@SouthernPaddler

[@robjones8733]

Yep it's got the old style bunny decal. 🙂 Explorer I think.

[@SouthernPaddler]

@@user-so1mv9po2f Sorry- KZbin thought this was spam for some reason and held it. I just now saw it and approved. Great info- thank you!!

[@CareyCarolinaCamper]

Those pups 🐶 are always on the lookout for some tasty snacks 😂 Beautiful trip Dan! I think this is going on the to-do list ☑️

[@SouthernPaddler]

LOL- yes they are. He was cute, but still irritated me...ha, ha! Thanks, Carey!!

[@MySUPRunnethOver]

Such a unique way to visit a new place. Just beautiful. I got some serious catching up to do on Southern Paddler. I see a binging weekend in my future.

[@SouthernPaddler]

Ha, ha! Thank you very much, Lashonda!! :)

[@einnor1040]

Shannon County Mo. is a beautiful place. I will be on the current the 1st week of August

[@SouthernPaddler]

This is such a beautiful place! We absolutely loved it!! I hope you enjoy your upcoming trip!!

[@weshuber8055]

I'll be there too. Doing cedar to two rivers over 4 days 🤙

[@GlennaRedcliffe]

That naughty puppy- stealing your peanut butter and crackers 😂 Loved the cave! Great editing! 👍👍

[@SouthernPaddler]

Ha, ha- I've got to be a little more diligent when at public campgrounds! Thanks, Glenna!!

[@DavrosVonSkaro]

Love this river. Until you get to Van Buren anyway lol. It turned into spring break resort town last time I was there about 10 years ago.

[@SouthernPaddler]

Yes, I wasn't crazy about the urban development along that stretch, but it was still an overall great trip. Going in April probably helped, too!

[@h2ozark480]

Y’all should come back to the ONSR and do gravel bar primitive camping along the river. That’s my favorite thing about the Current and the Jacks Fork.

[@SouthernPaddler]

That's my preferred method (and what I really wanted to do), but it wasn't my call on this trip. Although the last night we did primitive camp in a sandy creek bed. It was my favorite camp!!

[@OzarkMediaCo]

Eight of us our doing this same float leaving Saturday! Can't wait, thanks for the preview.

[@SouthernPaddler]

How awesome!! I hope y'all have a fantastic trip! Looking forward to your trip video!!

[@Yak_Mafia]

Beautiful water, awesome trip so far Dan. Looking forward to the next one!

[@SouthernPaddler]

Thank you, Chris! Preciate it very much!!

[@billydobbins8308]

Good weather, good friends, beautiful water, you lucky dog

[@SouthernPaddler]

You got that right, Billy! Very blessed to get to do this trip, see these sights and spend time with wonderful people!! Lifetime memories, for sure!!

[@MinuteontheMountain]

What a pretty river and great start to the trip. Looking forward to seeing the rest. Have a blessed weekend.

[@SouthernPaddler]

Thank you very much, John! It was a great start! Part Two comes out this week! Have a blessed week, brother!!

[@PaddleTV]

Wow... Nice Dan! Can't wait to get back there.

[@SouthernPaddler]

Thanks so much, Ken! This was a fantastic trip, for sure!!

[@brngrose]

Awesome video of a great trip. Thanks for sharing Dan !

[@SouthernPaddler]

Thanks, Brian! This was such a great trip. Time to get started on Part 2...lol!!

[@jhughes3867]

Beautiful river. Thanks for sharing Dan.

[@SouthernPaddler]

It really is a beautiful river!! I can't wait to get the other videos finished! Thank you!!

[@mountainsmoore3657]

Awesome job, Dan! The Current River looks like a great river! Good job documenting...and good jib not strangling that dog! LOL! Wes's Yukon is looking sharp! I am hoping to get mine out for at least a few short paddles this week, after work. This will be the first chance that I have had, at all, to get it out of the shop! SMH!

[@SouthernPaddler]

Thanks so much, Brad!! The Current River was AMAZING! Yes, Wes' Yukon was as smooth as ever! Hope you do get a chance to get yours on the water soon, brother!!

[@mountainsmoore3657]

@@SouthernPaddler I just wanna get some more paddle time.

[@steven-ft5pz]

Hey Dan, have been watching your videos and enjoyed them. My wife and I also enjoy paddling and camping. In pasted years I backpacker so going light is nothing new. We've paddled the Buffalo (Tn) and did a couple overnighter on the Duck (Tn). We're thinking of doing a multi night trip but are reluctant to do on our. Was wondering if you ever allowed outsiders to tag alone on your trips?

[@SouthernPaddler]

Hey Steven- sounds like y'all have had some great trips! The Buffalo is one of my favorites and the Duck is a fantastic river, too. I have done some trips with people I've met through KZbin, but they're usually planned out in advance. Multi-night trips are rare- I usually only do one or two per year. Most of my trips are single-night, weekend trips.

[@BluMonday88]

It's accommodation for the night not accomodations. Accommodations are made in the work place to accommodate someone or something. Other than that annoying, common error, not a bad video.

[@SouthernPaddler]

Thank you!