Dierks reservations

[ouachita hiker]

As an introduction I am Tom the campground host at Horshoebend Campground. I have talked to Tiffany and I have permission to reserve spots for you foaters that may be coming this way in the coming weeks and months. For those that were here this past weekend I would like to say thank you! With all of the folks down by hole three I only picked up one can! Janet and I try to keep a clean park and as all of you know that has stayed here in the past. If I know in advance that a large group is coming I will rope off sites 10 and 11 (close to the pavilion). Just let me know thru email, triggtom1@yahoo.com. This way you won't have to hunt for a campsite. We also have cleaned up some areas that, if need be, can be used as a primitive camping area.

Some info on the wife and I. We have floated in the past. Mainly the Buffalo. I have floated from Buffalo Point to white several times. I floated the Caddo several times when I was at Henderson in the 70's. We are both members of the Friends of the Ouachita Trail. We have adopted two sections of trail to maintain. I have also started a effort to clean up the trails in the Caney Creek Wilderness Area. This past year we cut out more trees than I would came to remember!! And by the way next fall we could use some help if anyone is interested!

Memorial day weekend Sabrina gave my granddaughter kayaking lessons! Since she is from LA (lower AR) she had never been exposed to this and she is sold! Her mom and I are now talking about her first boat! So you see we aren't your typical campground hosts!!

Yall come see us!

OH (Tom Trigg)

[Lifejacket]

Thanks for the post TOM. I am sure everyone will appreciate what you are doing, and I would think it would not be to hard to recruit help with you trail clean up as long as the water is not up.

[ouachita hiker]

By the way the last word that I got about the water release is that at the present level the lake won't return to normal till July the 11th! You all will have plenty of time to come down and play! As far as the trail work most of the time we don't start till the end of Oct., we went in in Oct, end of Nov. and up thru early Feb. this past season.

OH

[Clif]

Howdy, OH...Tom. You in the right place askin for help. Lots of these folks go above and beyond. I have been reading of these exploits down there and wondering how to mention we are ..kinda.. aquainted thru ar backcountry and what a great guy you seem to be. Even tho I am busy up here and won't be at Dierks anytime soon, good to see you over here and all the folks enjoying this event so much.

[ouachita hiker]

Clif,

Thanks for the welcome! I sure would like to get up your way on the Buff but being a campground host has it's disadvantages. I must stay here and look out for the campground. Not to say that it isn't going to be a exciting summer with the high water we have!

OH

[rickyrod]

Tom , I got to say your alot nicer than that Blue Ridge campground host, WOW. You seem to be involved a little more than most folks . thanks. We first met last year. clad to see you replaced the other guy, althought he was nice . Your a pleasure to be around. and a great host, I'm the guy with the dobberman pincher that stays the week. Won't be paddleing for a wile just wanted to tell you thanks again for your kindness, I spent lots o time there . I will miss it all.

[ouachita hiker]

Ricky, thanks! I try, as my wife says I make a good host because I can walk up to anybody and start talking! They guys that were in the pavilion on the Memorial Day weekend found that out when I just showed up and looked at the video that was playing. I am interested in this stuff!

By the way the Blue Ridge Host has gone back to Blue Ridge, it opened back up.

Yall come!

Tom

[Jim E]

Wow, what an offer for the kayaking community! Tom is really a nice, stand up guy.

Stop by the shop next time that you are in Texarkana and visit with Doug and I.

[rickyrod]

Yes sir I was one of the ones that was watching the vid. on computer screen when you made jason jump when he turned around and you were next to us , just part of the crew. your an official member now Tom. And thanks for helpn us out the weeken after you camp grounds got hit by the big one of 09' a month ago. no water out the bathrooms but lots on the river . Glad I met you.

[ouachita hiker]

For those that don't me on sight. I am the older guy, 56 so I guess that qualifies as an old guy, gray hair (lots of that :) ) gray mustache and goatee. If out in the heat of the day I will have on a wide brim straw hat. If I am down on the river it will be to watch not hassle!

Looking forward to seeing you guys again soon!

Tom

[Cowper]

With all of the folks down by hole three I only picked up one can! Janet and I try to keep a clean park and as all of you know that has stayed here in the past.

Ron Gilham (sp?) (after whom our Conservation Fund is named) is smiling in his grave. He left every river cleaner than he found it. I know that sometimes a can, a gatorade bottle, or a candy wrapper can "escape" unnoticed; I'm so glad that you were able to see the overall net result and that it was positive!

I've seen some camps covered in cans as the evening party progressed; but with this group I can assure you an inspection after we have broken camp and left the area will tell a very different story!

[hdh]

I bet the can was empty!

[JTarver]

Hey Tom, thanks for the reservation invitation! That's really cool of you to do for the boating community, and we really appreciate it. I expect I will see you down there sooner or later. I was homebound this weekend, or I would've been ther with everyone else. I will make it apoint to come say hi when I get to come down.
Peace,
Joe

[ouachita hiker]

Per the can: yes it was empty and squashed! Made it easy to pack it out!

As for reserving a camping spot. I am going to rope of site 10 and 11 for you guys. If a bunch of folks show up you can expand around the pavilion. That is if it isn't reserved yet. Ty will be coming in from Russelville and she can take any spot. If you come in Sat. morning I might not get around to early. I have to take a bus load of kids to Magic Springs Fri. and I am sure I won't be a early riser!

Yall come!

Tom

[us75n]

WOW.....WOW...
Tom that is one awesome gift for the kayaking community. I must say that Dierks has to be one of my favorite places to go and it has been a big part of the reason that I love Arkansas...
Let me know when the vote for best camp host comes up, I think with our support you will be a shoe in.

Thanks again for all a that you have done an do ,

James