As the Buffalo River celebrates its 50th anniversary as a National Scenic River, the Williams family (owners of Pack & Paddle) celebrates 50 years of float trips and 50 milers. A few weeks ago, Becky and I met our son Matt, his wife Rebecca and our grandsons Liam (age 12) and Theo (age 4) and their friends John, Bentley and Edward Utgard for our yearly trip down the river. The idea for this trip was hatched at Christmas when we had the idea to do 50 miles down the Buffalo on the 50th anniversary.
The General Store at Gilbert AR was our meeting point for the group to convene. This place always floods me with so many memories of my mom and dad over the years. There were trips where we met in the cold and wet. Years where we met with a high, flooded river. And years like this one, where the weather was nice and the river beautiful. The constant was always the 120 year old structure with the deep shade porch. And of course, the excitement of another river trip.
This trip would be our grandson Liam & Edward’s first 50 miler piloting their own canoe. Many years ago (early 1970’s) my friend Stanley Leece and I did our first 50 milers right here on the Buffalo. And what seems like yesterday, I can remember our son Matt (around 12 years old) doing his first 50 miler with his friend Alex. I’m not sure anything is more exhilarating and intimidating as a 12 year old than pushing off the gravel bar for 6 days paddling, swimming, skipping rocks, starting campfires, hiking and sleeping on the ground.
Because of the low water, this year we covered a section of the river that we have rarely done – Gilbert to the White River. Early in the trip, we settle into a rhythm. Dutch oven breakfasts, making our morning miles, catching fish on the fly rod. Lunches on the gravel bar, hikes up side creeks, time hanging out under the tarp chatting and reading chapters of Huckleberry Finn out loud. Sunscreen in the morning, S’mores in the evenings.
The last day always comes before you’re ready. This year – the excitement of Liam and Edward surpassing 50 miles and the challenge of crossing the White river has us extra pumped for the day. Liam wakes up with a stomach bug. I really want him to have the accomplishment of the 50 miler. But I keep my mouth shut and let him deal with it. As we ready the canoes, he simply wills himself into the stern seat and we’re off. At the 50 miler point, we stop for photos, high 5’s and memories for a lifetime.
The Buffalo river has shaped the landscape of northern Arkansas for eons. Looking back I can see how it shaped not only me and now my grandson Liam, but every member of our family. I don’t think my parents took that first trip in 1970 to “shape lives”. It was and always has been for fun and adventure. But it becomes more than that – especially over time. This river truly is a way to reconnect, disconnect, make memories and become closer as a family.