Kayaking the Buffalo

Let's talk about kayaking today!  I'm not tired of wine, but maybe it's time for a new subject.

Last Wednesday David and I went on a 10 mile trip down (or up since it flows north) the Buffalo River out of Linden, TN.  We own our kayaks and didn't have a second car to spot at the take out, so we had to find someone to portage us to the put in spot.  That was more difficult than it sounds!  You would think that with all the outfitters on this river there would be plenty of them willing to tote a couple of kayaks one way, especially on a week-day....not so!

I won't list the names of the uncooperative outfitters here because they may be really nice people who just didn't feel like being helpful at that point in time, but I doubt it.  By the way, did I mention that I called a week in advance for this?  Don't get me wrong, I wasn't looking for a freebie, I was willing to pay a reasonable amount (key word is reasonable).  The first place wanted to charge just as much as it would cost to rent one of their kayaks - $40 each!  The second place was a little better at $25 each, but come one, it's only one way and both kayaks will fit in one slot on their trailer!  I finally found Flatwoods Canoe Base and they were willing and happy to take us for $15 per boat!  This outfitter appears to be a one-man operation run by a very nice young man who is from the area and married to a school teacher - very sweet couple.  It's a no frills business with an old panel van fitted with benches inside and screens that flap on the windows - perfect for what it's used for!

We arrived at Flatwoods about 10:30 am and were on the river by 11:30, having ridden with a few others to the 4 mile trip put in before getting to our spot.  We put in at Bell Bridge and were quickly floating away.  It was a beautiful day with blue sky and a few white puffy clouds.  The river was quiet with only about 50 people on it, compared to hundreds on the week-ends.

  The Buffalo is very clean and you can see lots of fish swimming along.  I know there are snakes, but we didn't see any (what a relief)!  The bugs stayed away with only a few dragon flies accompanying us.  At one point a very large dragon fly landed on David's hat for a free ride.

 There were a few strainers (trees and limbs overhanging the water that will smack you in the head if you're not careful), and some deadfall (trees and limbs submerged in the water waiting for unwary folks), but if you watch where you're going you can easily avoid them.  The outfitter told us he had heard there was a tree down all the way across the river at one point and we would have to get out and take the kayaks around it, however, we never found this.  Obviously some good person (or a few) moved it out of the way.  There was just enough "fun" water to make it interesting, but no real rapids.

We took our time paddling a little, floating a little, stopping for lunch, drinking a little wine, and just enjoying a quiet day on the river with each other.  We don't get to do this very often, so it was a rare treat!  The 10 miles slipped by and, before we knew it, we were at the take out point where we had left our car.  The float took about 5 hours and was an easy paddle.

If you want a relaxing river trip I highly recommend the Buffalo and the nice folks at Flatwoods Canoe Base.  If you go in the summer, try to go on a week-day when it isn't crowded and crazy.

Happy Paddling!