Special Edition - Damper Camper

This came from an old Monthly Chapter Bulletin - Florissant Valley Patch - August 20, 1974

     I can't get those memories out of my mind, what a girl, what a float trip! Yes we all cast off about three miles up stream from Akers Ferry on the beautiful Current River. Our first encounter was a large tree that had fallen cross-ways of the river. As I recall every one negotiated this like an expert. Well any way no one tipped over at this point. Almost, but all slipped thru.

     I can't say the same about the remaining part of the trip can I Bob Rich? If my memory is correct Mr. Rich and his son Collin got the first real experience to be gained from the trip. Bob's initial reaction was, "DAMN THIS WATER IS COLD". With a minimum amount of delay Bob and son righted their canoe and was off and running again with the best of us.

     Our next performance was absolutely beautiful. Charlie B. had the seat right behind the action. "Talk about your cold refrigerated MAMA's" ask Jeanie. Really Jeanie, was the water as cold as Bob said? Well to make things perfectly clear Charlie just couldn't stand Jeanie taking a swim with out him so he jumped from the canoe also. Of course his two kids follows reluctantly and for some strange reason the canoe overturned. As you might have expected when Charlie fell in he caused such a tidal wave down stream tat is darn near turned over twelve additional canoes. This really upset Ruth Olson, as one was her canoe!

     as we progressed on downstream is appeared that everyone had it in for the President. They kept splashing him every time they got a chance. It was hard to understand seeing as how he is such a nice guy.

     As we continued on down river we stopped at Akers Ferry for refreshments, rest, and some good close harmony. We got a pretty good crowd and applause. I heard a comment from Dick Olson - something about, does water hurt a Pitch Pipe? After a song or two and paying dues to Mother Nature we traveled on, Beer in hand, looking for a nice sandy beach to have our dinner. At his point most everything was still dry enough to eat. I'm not quite sure why Al Rubins girls bothered with a canoe as they spent most of their time in the water. They bested Dick Olsons boys a time or too also. Oh to be young again! I heard Mary Cavanaugh say that.

     After stopping for lunch it was down the rapids again, around the corner and into the tree. Ain't that right Bob Rich? I'm really not picking on Bob it just happened that way. After a valiant rescue made by the Martin boys (Jack and Vern) bob and Son was sent on their way just in time to see Charlie B. and family put on an even better performance than before. This time their children got a bit upset due to the swift current, however they were rescued by a kind stranger who happened to be trying to right his own canoe a moment earlier. Needless to say the current had little effect on Charlie. WE must mention while Jack and Vern were performing their heroic deeds, Tammy and Andy, and Nancy and Jerry were hanging on to their canoes to keep them from being swept away.

     All the way down river MOTHER CAVANAUGH was worried about his camera so he didn't do much Horsing around. Oh yes, I almost forgot; Grandfather Forristal is quite a canoeist. He can stand up with no problems at all. He will get his "up comings" one day I bet! Isn't that right Helen.

     Ben Love was somewhat of a trouble maker during the day also. He just couldn't resist splashing everyone he could. When he was holding battle with someone I think Jerry got the worst of the deal. As the day went on, the Beer seemed to get colder and the water warmer as more people departed from their canoes to enjoy a swim. Believe it or not Bob and Son made a perfect score of 4 prior to the end of the float trip. Can you believe that Bob fell out of the canoe when they were only a couple feet from shore. His total performance was truly superb!

     Nancy Martin (Jack) had a nice show also. Seems they were hung up in the rapids and she stepped out to relieve the canoe of all that weight. When she tried to climb back into the canoe the canoe wasn't where she thought it was and down she went. This may have happened right off shore, I can't remember for sure. Any way, you guessed it, as innocent as he was Jack got the blame. Even Jerry was raising a big fuss.

     Tim Martin (Vern) turned out to be the daring one of the day. He tried to negotiate about half the river going backwards. says he can splash people better that way. I not sure Amy and Nancy (Vern) agreed. Al Rubin and Dolly did quite a good job of traffic control. Al said he was an authority since he figured he had drank enough Beer to float then canoes.

     Taking everything into consideration, the trip was a great success. All who went pledged to go again next year. Even little Ronnie Olson wants to go again!

     To end the day all but Ben, Jenny, Bob rich and son returned to the circle "B" to camp out on Saturday Night. As if we didn't have enough water during the day, it started to rain about six p.m. Lasted for about six hours. After cooking steaks, and Hot Dogs under Vince C. camping fly and getting throughly soaked some one made the classic statement, It sure was a shame that Ben and Bob had to go back to St. Louis and miss out on the camping. They don't know just how lucky they were!

     After a long hard day, everyone turned in about 10 P.M. There was a little singing in the rain however, but when the mud got 3 inches deep it got pretty hard to move around to a place where you could hear the Harmony.

     Sunday morning was a different Ball Game! Every on was up and eating bacon, eggs, and hot cakes by about 8 A.M. While still enjoying coffee four scratchy voices made it thru "All thru the Day". This was the urning point. By the time and hour had passed, there had been several songs sang down on the river bank, 3 people was fishing most, most of the kids were swimming and Charlie B. and family was on there way home to dry out!

     The remainder of the gang departed by late afternoon leaving the families of Al Rubin and Vern Martin to enjoy another quiet day of camping at the circle "B". Those of you who didn't go missed one of the finest outings ever. For those of us that did go, "Ben Love" Thanks A Million.