Summer, Buffalo River Style

Well warmer weather has found us and there is much to do. With hiking & floating in full swing it is easy to forget the other fun things we can enjoy. Horseback riding is one of the best ways to see all the Buffalo River has to offer. Take a ride back in time, follow the trails and old roads my grandpa used to travel. Enjoy visiting the old homesteads along the river and especially enjoy jumping in and taking a swim. There are lots of flowers and wildlife that you can't see just floating down the river. The horse trails take you along the river, but also beyond the banks, so you can see the land surrounding the river as well. If you have your own horses please give us a call about horse and rider packages, we will be glad to visit with you. If you don't have your own horses or aren't up for travelling with them we know of a great outfitter locally who can help you out.

Fishing is another one of my favorite things to do along the river. I love to fish! So do my children. It is a great way to get out & spend time with each other with out all the hustle and bustle of life getting in the way. Take time to go fishing and if all goes well you have supper taken care of! If your adventure doesn't produce your dinner, you can always stop by the Ozark Cafe in Jasper for some great fried catfish! Tim and Mona know how to do it up right.

Remember, you are only limited by what your imagination allows!

Come visit us at http://www.steelcreekcabins.com/ for more info.

Spring Has Sprung!

Spring is in full bloom!

Wow, it amazes me how time flies. I am sorry for not updating, but there is just so much to do and see outside right now. The weather is perfect. The wildflowers are fragrant. The river is rolling. The birds are chirping. I am loving every minute of it!! My favorite has bloomed, the wild honeysuckles. Oh they smell sooo good! The air is just filled with the sweet smell of spring. Hummingbirds are flying around like fighter pilots & the other birds are chirping a beautiful song.

My mom & I had a wonderful treat yesterday. An old friend has started a new business and will be offering spa & massage services at our cabins! She visited our cabin #1 & gave each of us a chair massage. It was so great! We listened to the waterfall next to the cabin and let everything melt away. Now our guests can enjoy this experience as well, I am so excited. Have a relaxing massage or other treatment on the covered deck overlooking the Ozark Mountains. It doesn't get any better! The rates are surprisingly affordable and the level of service is top notch.

There are so many things to enjoy & I don't want to miss any of them. If you are looking for a good time to visit, there is never a bad time. Please email anytime for information.

3 Generations Rafting Down the Buffalo River!

Well last week was spring break, it rained for 3 days (8 inches of rain here at Steel Creek) and the spring flowers are blooming! I am so excited. I have been out taking loads of photos, getting flower beds ready, hiking every trail possible before the snakes come out and rafting! Yes I said rafting. Those 8 inches of rain came in pretty handy last Friday. I was blessed enough to go rafting with my mother (who is a ovarian cancer survivor and is 61 years young-she won't mind that I shared her age) and my eleven year old daughter. That's correct, 3 generations took the Buffalo River by storm. We visited several old home places that our family had settled many years ago and just had a great day. All the rafts in the area were occupied, but a couple friends of ours were nice enough to loan us their raft (thanks Kay & Tommy). The river was so nice, just right to be exact. It was barely under the low water bridge in Ponca and the water level was perfect. We enjoyed the day together and with the many new friends we made along the way. Everyone should be so lucky!

Spring Wild Flowers

We have some lovely little wild flowers blooming. I have been enjoying going out in the evenings and taking lots of photos of them. They never have a frown on their face and when you see them you can't help but smile. I hope you take time to stop and smell the flowers of all varieties. Happy Spring!

Misty

Last Snow This Winter-Maybe

Sorry, it has been so long since I have updated the blog. We have had a variety of weather since the last post I wrote. We were blessed with 10 inches of snow March 6! It was one of those wet sticky snows! The best kind! I was able to take a few photos around the property and it was sooo pretty. The kids enjoyed it a lot-they were out of school for a 4 day weekend. This photo is taken up Steel Creek. I had been shooting and could never get the sun to look just right. I was leaving & turned around to see this "dove" in the clouds. Well with our weather we can't be sure, but I think this was our last snow for this season. Bring on spring!!

Misty

Is It Spring Yet?

Our March calendar is filling up, floating is on the brain, and the wind is blowing fiercely. Is spring almost here? My tulips are poking their heads through the dirt and I am hoping they won't get nipped by frost. I am ready. Ready to see the trees covered in their green foliage. Ready to hear the frogs holler and the crickets sing. I always look forward to each season but by the time the next is ready to break I can't wait. Winter is always nice because that is my hiking season,mainly because there are no snakes and bugs out, but the weather has been really cold and I am ready to thaw out. Now I will hike the rest of the year, but there is nothing like being totally free, not looking down to see any slithering things in the trails. But for every pro there is a con. One of the great things about living along the Buffalo River is that we get to enjoy each season. Each season has something to offer locals and visitors alike. Whether it is floating, hiking, fishing, caving, horseback riding, biking or whatever your fancy- you can definitely have your cake and eat it too. I love it here and you will to. Just come and visit, you'll see. Email me anytime to hear the latest specials. Horseback riding packages now available.

See you soon!

Buffalo River Winter Activities

Well I have decided to create a blog. I will do my best to keep things to the point and provide information that Buffalo River visitors will appreciate.
Last week we had a wonderfully warm couple of days to explore outside. Sunday, the 2nd, I hiked at Lost Valley with my husband and 11 year old daughter. We have taken this route many times, but never get tired of it. The temp was 60 degrees! And due to rain and melted snow the cave at the end of the trail was awesome. We got some great photos and had an even better time. The week before that we had snow on the ground. We drove to see the elk, but they have the good sense to stay in the woods and out of the falling snow. So after striking out at Boxley Valley, we headed to Steel Creek campground (which is just next door for us). There I got a really nice river and snow pic. The rest of the day was spent sledding down "the big hill". Very appropriately named I might add. We had a blast!

I have been monitoring the new additions at the mill pond in Boxley. There are now 3 trumpeter swans who are enjoying the Ozarks. I have faithfully traveled down the mountain to get a good shot of them. Finally, my persistence paid off.

Enough for now, but I will try to keep updates posted on hiking, canoeing and other outdoor adventures that await here at Steel Creek Cabins along the Buffalo National River.

http://www.steelcreekcabins.com/