Has anyone been canoeing or kayaking down the Des Moines River in South East
Iowa?
Either from Hard Fish access just up river from Eddyville to Turkey Island
in Ottumwa, or from the Vine Street Bridge in Ottumwa to one of the Villages
of Van Buren County.
I have many times and would like to discuss this with someone that either
has, or would like to. Great scenery in the summer and fall.

If there are any old members of the Back Water River Rats out there, please
contact me.

Thanks,
John J Ernst

I've never been on it, but the standard web resource is
http://www.desmoinesriver.org/. You might also want to contact the
outfitters listed on this page: http://800-tourvbc.com/canoe_vb.htm (a 2 day
organized trip they have every year). I'm thinking of trying it this fall
when the water is normally pretty low every where else.

Pam

"John Ernst" wrote in message
...
Has anyone been canoeing or kayaking down the Des Moines River in South
East
Iowa?
Either from Hard Fish access just up river from Eddyville to Turkey Island
in Ottumwa, or from the Vine Street Bridge in Ottumwa to one of the
Villages
of Van Buren County.
I have many times and would like to discuss this with someone that either
has, or would like to. Great scenery in the summer and fall.

If there are any old members of the Back Water River Rats out there,
please
contact me.

Thanks,
John J Ernst

Thanks for the info, but I canoe the Des Moines quite regularly.
I you go on the Des Moines down river from Ottumwa to Keosauqua this fall,
be prepared for low water. I have seen it at times where you could walk all
the way from Ottumwa to Keosauqua and just get your lower thighs wet. Don't
get me wrong, the scenery is breath taking, and the canoeing is very laid
back if you let it be.
If you decide to go in a small group, or by your self, there are plenty of
camp grounds to stay at if you want to do an over-nighter. If you want to
use Keosauqua as your half way point, you could always use the Hotel Manning
as a place to stay. Just pull up to the public docks, secure you craft and
check-in. If you like craft shows and flea/antique markets, you might plan a
float to coincide with one of the celebrations/craft fairs that the Villages
of Van Buren County have. Canoeing down the river and stopping at these
small towns are a blast.
I'm not generally this long winded, but when it happens, it happens.

Fun to all,
John J Ernst

"CanoePam" wrote in message
news:AVtsc.19038$af3.987802@attbi_s51...
I've never been on it, but the standard web resource is
http://www.desmoinesriver.org/. You might also want to contact the
outfitters listed on this page: http://800-tourvbc.com/canoe_vb.htm (a 2
day
organized trip they have every year). I'm thinking of trying it this fall
when the water is normally pretty low every where else.

Pam

"John Ernst" wrote in message
...
Has anyone been canoeing or kayaking down the Des Moines River in South
East
Iowa?
Either from Hard Fish access just up river from Eddyville to Turkey
Island
in Ottumwa, or from the Vine Street Bridge in Ottumwa to one of the
Villages
of Van Buren County.
I have many times and would like to discuss this with someone that
either
has, or would like to. Great scenery in the summer and fall.

If there are any old members of the Back Water River Rats out there,
please
contact me.

Thanks,
John J Ernst