Fall Gathering Update

Just a quick update on the fall gathering.

Those that have expressed an interest in attending are: Tom Kennon, Tim Buchanan, Merle Cook, Gale Rainwater, and Rod Kissinger. Please let me know if there are any errors.

Rod has graciously offered the use of a cabin, located about 2.5 miles west of Jasper. That's a pretty good way (30 miutes or so, depending on how soon the sun is scheduled to rise or set and how far away you are) from Richland Creek, but there may those that want to concentrate more on the Buffalo River area. The cabin has a king and queen bed, along with a fold out sofa, and cots and air mattresses. Any thoughts? Provided that there is a site available, I still plan to camp at Richland Creek campground - I just love that fall air at night, and sitting around a campfire. If not there, then maybe one of the places along Falling Water Creek (is that OK with the FS?), or Fairview Campground. I plan to get there Thursday night or Friday morning.

Tom Kennon has offered to do the lunch Friday and Saturday. Thanks Tom! I'll take care of breakfast Friday and Saturday morning (bacon, scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy, and some fruit) so that still leaves Friday and Saturday dinner (or supper as I call it), and Sunday breakfast/brunch.

That's about all I can think of for now...any suggestions? It would be helpful if those planning to attend let everyone know when they plan to arrive. If camping plans change it would be easy to tape a message on the campground rules board that has the notice about alcohol consumption and dope smokin'...

Bill,
I can't be there until Friday night around 7 or 8 pm.
If we can find a closer place that would be fine, but the offer of the cabin in Jasper still stands.

Thanks for your work on this.
Rod

I can do Friday dinner - I like the campground idea too if a site is available (not much of a commuter). I can be there Thurs night or Fri morning too.

I have to beg out of the get together. Our son and daughter-in-law are due to have twin boys in January and "Good Ol Dad" has been volunteered to help paint and trim the room for the kids. It sounds like no problem - other than the fact that they are 125 miles away and we are trying to fit all of this into our schedules before the baby shower on Nov 10. I just wish I had a truck that got more than 16 mpg.

Maybe next time...... Merle

ps Have fun and post a lot of shots to make us wish we had been there.

Bill, my plans are to arrive Thursday night and camp. I like the idea of the fire and the cool autumn air. I am still planning on bringing plenty of stuff for everyone's lunch.

Bill, How are the colors down there? I was reading that some areas are dull, others almost peak. Is it looking nice, or gonna look nice in the next week or so.

mike

Mike:

Hum, whoever told you the colors down here were "almost peak" must have been smoking something, or was thinking about the color GREEN, or perhaps they were thinking about Colorado. Peak color in the trees doesn't normally begin for another couple of weeks in Arkansas - the last two weeks of October. We have very little color anywhere right now. The underbrush normally does have some color by now but there are just a few bushes here and there that have any color at all - just a lot of green. You won't find much color in the next week or two even during a normal year, and I suspect this year will be late - in fact I'm hoping it turns this year, but a January fall color season might be interesting!

I kinda figured that Tim, I though the same, what are they smoking, up here we have no colors, just green. I try to keep an eye on your journal, I think that is more accurate than any newscast or article on the web, lol.

thank you sir, glad I wont miss anything. Taking my son again this year, we had alot of fun down there!

In consideration of Tim and Mike's comments, I'm thinking about moving the date to the next weekend - October 26-28. Since the group is fairly small, I'm hoping that nobody will be locked into the 19th. I'll probably go both weekends, but in the interest of folks catching the color closer to peak, I think the 19th might be a little early this year. Until the rain stops, and we get some cold weather, I don't think there's going to be much color. Plus, there would be less competition for campsites since the first muzzelloader deer season will be over. What do you guys think?

I would be will able to join everyone around that date, my son would be with me, and possibly my partner Mark, if he is not out of town working. But we could camp out.

Heck Bill, I thought dodging the muzzleloaders was going to be part of the appeal!

Now if you go changing the dates on me I might just have to attend .... so take that however you like, just thought you'd like to know what you'd be getting into! I'm sure you'd like to keep the riff-raff like me out of this gathering!

Bill, I noticed just a small tinge of color on the way to Fayetteville this morning. I think keeping our options open for both weekends is good. I am open for both dates. The late cold snap in April may have everything off just abit.

Sounds good to me, Tom. As I mentioned in my last post, I plan to be there both weekends, and maybe even the weekend of the 13th so I'll be able to give everyone an accurate update. Most years the color is kinda localized with respect to the timing, so one place may be close to peak while 30 miles away everything is just getting started. It also seems that the color change starts down in the cooler valleys and works its way up. But it was a pretty crazy spring, so who knows???

Wayne: I don't think you could go wrong if you wanted to make a trip down on the 26th. I'll just have to call the county sheriff and warn him about the riff-raff headed for Richland Creek.

I just returned from another great Tim Ernst workshop, and learned some pretty cool tips. He had some large canvas prints that were nothing less than stunning! And the food was fit for a king.

The elk have really been cutting up with all their mating ceremonies, and are fun just to watch. I had a little luck getting a shot that was at least sharp yesterday, and thought I would post it here.

Any other ideas on the Richland Creek gathering?

We did have a great photoshop workshop this past weekend - I think even Bill learned something (and he knows just about everything)! And he got some great elk shots as you can see. Since this was a computer class and we did not do any official shooting in the field, most of the images from the student print gallery were not shot this weekend, but there are some stunning images produced by even my "problem" students, which is always the case. I got to shoot a couple of images on my way from the cabin to the lodge and have included them as well, but I think my students trumped me.

Photoshop Workshop Class Gallery

I am a photographer from central Illinois. I was in the Buffalo River area last fall and am returning this year. I will be down there from September 23rd thru November 4th. I will be staying in Harrison. I am wondering if I might be able to get together with the group any for some photography. Let me know if and how that might be possible. David Staff - www.DavidStaff.com

David - if you've read this thread from the beginning, then you know about the gathering planned in October. The question has been which weekend. Most of us are guessing that the 27th will be close to peak, but who knows for sure. Richland Creek is probably an hour or more from Harrison, so you would have quite a drive. I would give you directions, but can't remember the road numbers or exact distances. It's kinda in the middle of nowhere. Tim Ernst has several hiking guidebooks that are probably in the library in Harrison, or, I'm pretty sure he would be happy to sell you a copy of the latest edition. Just go to www.cloudland.net.

Other than the gathering later this month, I don't know of any group events that are planned.

Thanks Bill for getting back with me. I know about where Richland Creek is so that should not be a problem. I also have some of Tim's Books and need to look them over a little more. Here in Illinois things are pretty dry. The lake here is 30 plus inches below normal and they have put a restriction on water usage, so I am not sure what the colors will look like. How have the rains been there? Hopefully it will be a good year.

Bill, I can make it for the weekend of the 27th, I will be out of town on the 20th. I would be glad to bring one or two dinners meals. I was thinking burgers sounded pretty good.

By the way I have been out of town the past two weeks for a wonderful photo trip out west to Colorado, Wyoming and Utah. I will be posting some pics when I have time.

Looking forward to some great fall color this year.

Bill, I responded to your email but thought I'd chime in here too. My attendance is still up in the air but I'm leaning toward coming down on Oct 26th. If I do I'll be arriving well after dark so you all will have to build a signal fire (and give me good directions) or I'll be wandering around in the dark for hours!

Considering everyone's preference for the weekend of the 27th, I guess we should make it official. I'll be camping in the Richland Creek area this weekend and will post a fall color update for those of you that are interested, along with a meal plan.

BTW, I saw a couple of "Reserved " signs for a horseriding club that camped there a couple of weeks ago, so I'll also check with the Forest Service about getting a "Special Use" permit.

Bill, I may try to get up there at least one day this weekend. When are you planning on going up? It looks like we will have a first quarter moon this weekend and a full moon on Friday October 26, the gathering weekend.

Tom - I'm planning on leaving Thursday afternoon. I'll be driving my ol' gray Toyota pickup. Are you still driving a Land Cruiser?

Bill, I still have my landcruiser. My plan right now is to be in the area on Friday and camp that night if the conditions are ok. I am still planning on the next week also. I will look for your pickup.

Bill, I am staying farther south than I was expecting. I will be staying around Deer. I can see it is still an hour or more away, but it puts me in the area I want to be. Maybe I will see you all around there some if I make it by there. I am hoping for good color. You have some encouraging words on the site about the possibility. Happy Shooting

David - actually, Deer is not too far from Richland Creek - maybe a half hour or so. You'll need to get on hwy 7 south and go to Pelsor and turn left on hwy 16 east. Go 8 miles or so to Ben Hur (church on the right) and continue another mile and a half approximately to Falling Water Creek road and turn left. Go 8 miles or so to Richland Creek campground. Hope to see you there!