Reading Dale's and Pam's posts about the passing of Mrs Opal Helton got me to thinking. American Whitewater magazine is always looking for stories, and what better story than to tell of the experiences we've had over the years and the unique situation at the Helton access. I've put together an overview of the Piney and the tradition of paying Mrs Helton, but I'd like to include some of everyone's stories about your experiences with her, or stories she's told. Some have already been posted. Could you write up any stories you might have about her or stories she's told and e mail me at movingwaters@gmail.com?
Thanks,
Paul
Passing of Mrs Helton
Re: Passing of Mrs Helton
I was sad to hear that she had passed away. I have some fond memories of talking with her, especially when we first started paddling and she appeared to be somewhere between concerned and amused that we had no idea what we were doing (we didn't!). Back when I started paddling the PIney about 1990, the rate for access at Helton's Farm was "a dollar for canoes and two dollars for those big rubber boats." We gladly paid it. She'll be missed by a lot of folks. Good luck with the AW article.
Re: Passing of Mrs Helton
i'd love to know how many kids learned to drive running shuttles
Re: Passing of Mrs Helton
Pam mentioned on another post that she could not get Mrs. Helton to quite understand that she wasn"t Tommy Youngs wife, so whenever Pam and I would show up without Tommy, you could see this look of "what's going on here?" on her face. Also, for years, we tried to grow Hollyhocks, because they became my favorite flower, due to how pretty her's were. We never got 1 plant to come up. dale
Re: Passing of Mrs Helton
dogpatch wrote:American Whitewater magazine is always looking for stories, and what better story than to tell of the experiences we've had over the years and the unique situation at the Helton access.
I think this is great. Kudos to you for the idea and effort!! Good manYou sure this is on the right channel?
Re: Passing of Mrs Helton
Here's my story. We'll see if it flies. If not, enjoy here. Paul
_______________________________
Passing of a Legend: Mrs Opal Helton
Whitewater in the Ozarks is hard to come by. Most of us keep one eye tuned to the weather forecast all winter and spring. If rain is showing on radar, then we turn to Bill Herring’s excellent Ozark Whitewater Page, which catalogs all the rivers in the region from IV-V steep creeks to the class II standbys. Since the III and IV stuff like Richland, Hurricane Creek, and the Hailstone (Upper Upper Buffalo) runs out in a matter of hours, or a day at best, that brings most paddlers to the more reliable creeks of Northwest Arkansas, namely the Mulberry River , the Upper Buffalo, or Big Piney Creek.
Big Piney Creek runs through a remote section of the Ozark National Forest. It is not a wilderness, but has many wilderness characteristics. It is essentially roadless, entirely forested, and is graced with many waterfalls entering from its side creeks. Though the eight mile run is mostly class II, it has many pleasant surfing and play spots, and side hikes for the adventurous. Its one class III rapid was briefly named the exotic title Cascade of Extinction, but throughout Arkansas it is known simply as The Mother. Big Piney creek has developed a reputation over the years as a great social rendezvous for paddlers from not just Arkansas, but Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, and Western Tennessee. There is not a great volume of rental boats, and the one local outfitter, Kerry Moore of Moore Outdoor, is very much one of the local paddlers. So a spring Saturday or Sunday on the Piney is pretty much old home week, as it has been since the early 70’s. On a weekend Surfing Rapid could have a congregation of several dozen paddlers just hanging out, telling stories, and enjoying each other’s company. I even recall a grill having been paddled in and grilled chicken being served to anyone who wanted it on a spring Saturday afternoon. The Russian exchange paddling group even visited there during the 90’s.
But the Piney had a unique tradition. Everyone knew about it. I don’t know how they knew. I don’t ever remember how I first knew. But everyone knew.
There is no public put in for Big Piney Creek. The put in is on private land, at a place called Helton’s Farm. There was no sign. There were no posted instructions. But everyone knew that before entering the field that led to the put in, you first drove up the the tidy white farmhouse just up the hill, got out of your car, walked up to the porch, and paid Mrs Helton. At first, she seemed somewhat amused that anyone would want to paddle down the creek. But if people wanted to do such a fool thing, she’d be happy to let the have access through their cattle field. For many years the rate was $1 per boat, and $2 for “those big rubber boats“. In recent years, just like everything else, the rate increased to $2 per boat. I don’t know what happened if you didn’t know to pay. I never heard of anyone not paying. Everyone just knew. It was a privilige to meet her and contribute your dollar. It was insurance for future access to the Piney.
If you wished, she’d always be happy to visit. Local paddlers tell how she related having swam to the other side of the creek in flood to rescue some cattle. She told of their favorite swimming hole on Indian Creek, where a local paddler has a community cabin now. She told of having ridden the now impassible mail route by mule from Treat (the community where their farm was located) to Fort Douglas, up river.
For a while they offered shuttles down to the takeout, Long Pool Recreation Area. Someone suggested that might have been where some of the local kids learned to drive.
Around her house the woman’s touch was evident, with flowers blooming everywhere. One local paddler fell in love with her hollyhocks, and tried to grow some like hers, without success. He also tells that for some reason Mrs Helton got the idea his wife was married to one of his best friends. He and his wife never could get that idea out of her head, so they finally just quit trying. Mr Helton was around, but the boat access was Mrs Helton’s thing, kind of like egg money, I suppose.
Mr Helton passed away quite a few years years ago, but Mrs Helton continued to live there on the farm. Though she almost completely lost her hearing in recent years, she still continued to appear on the porch, with a smile and change for your larger bill if necessary. Conversation was difficult. Though she’d smile, you could tell she had no idea what you’d said. Every year we’d appear in the early spring, wondering if she’d still be there on the porch. And every year for many recent years, there she’d be. It seemed like she would be there forever.
Then one spring, year before last, her son, who used to drive shuttle, was there collecting the money. We learned that Mrs Helton had moved to a nursing home.
Not all paddling stories are about whitewater. Some are about the great local folks you meet where you go paddling.
This April we learned of her passing at age 97. Mrs Opal Helton, rest in peace. You were a friend to all, but especially to the paddlers of the Ozarks.
_______________________________
Passing of a Legend: Mrs Opal Helton
Whitewater in the Ozarks is hard to come by. Most of us keep one eye tuned to the weather forecast all winter and spring. If rain is showing on radar, then we turn to Bill Herring’s excellent Ozark Whitewater Page, which catalogs all the rivers in the region from IV-V steep creeks to the class II standbys. Since the III and IV stuff like Richland, Hurricane Creek, and the Hailstone (Upper Upper Buffalo) runs out in a matter of hours, or a day at best, that brings most paddlers to the more reliable creeks of Northwest Arkansas, namely the Mulberry River , the Upper Buffalo, or Big Piney Creek.
Big Piney Creek runs through a remote section of the Ozark National Forest. It is not a wilderness, but has many wilderness characteristics. It is essentially roadless, entirely forested, and is graced with many waterfalls entering from its side creeks. Though the eight mile run is mostly class II, it has many pleasant surfing and play spots, and side hikes for the adventurous. Its one class III rapid was briefly named the exotic title Cascade of Extinction, but throughout Arkansas it is known simply as The Mother. Big Piney creek has developed a reputation over the years as a great social rendezvous for paddlers from not just Arkansas, but Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, and Western Tennessee. There is not a great volume of rental boats, and the one local outfitter, Kerry Moore of Moore Outdoor, is very much one of the local paddlers. So a spring Saturday or Sunday on the Piney is pretty much old home week, as it has been since the early 70’s. On a weekend Surfing Rapid could have a congregation of several dozen paddlers just hanging out, telling stories, and enjoying each other’s company. I even recall a grill having been paddled in and grilled chicken being served to anyone who wanted it on a spring Saturday afternoon. The Russian exchange paddling group even visited there during the 90’s.
But the Piney had a unique tradition. Everyone knew about it. I don’t know how they knew. I don’t ever remember how I first knew. But everyone knew.
There is no public put in for Big Piney Creek. The put in is on private land, at a place called Helton’s Farm. There was no sign. There were no posted instructions. But everyone knew that before entering the field that led to the put in, you first drove up the the tidy white farmhouse just up the hill, got out of your car, walked up to the porch, and paid Mrs Helton. At first, she seemed somewhat amused that anyone would want to paddle down the creek. But if people wanted to do such a fool thing, she’d be happy to let the have access through their cattle field. For many years the rate was $1 per boat, and $2 for “those big rubber boats“. In recent years, just like everything else, the rate increased to $2 per boat. I don’t know what happened if you didn’t know to pay. I never heard of anyone not paying. Everyone just knew. It was a privilige to meet her and contribute your dollar. It was insurance for future access to the Piney.
If you wished, she’d always be happy to visit. Local paddlers tell how she related having swam to the other side of the creek in flood to rescue some cattle. She told of their favorite swimming hole on Indian Creek, where a local paddler has a community cabin now. She told of having ridden the now impassible mail route by mule from Treat (the community where their farm was located) to Fort Douglas, up river.
For a while they offered shuttles down to the takeout, Long Pool Recreation Area. Someone suggested that might have been where some of the local kids learned to drive.
Around her house the woman’s touch was evident, with flowers blooming everywhere. One local paddler fell in love with her hollyhocks, and tried to grow some like hers, without success. He also tells that for some reason Mrs Helton got the idea his wife was married to one of his best friends. He and his wife never could get that idea out of her head, so they finally just quit trying. Mr Helton was around, but the boat access was Mrs Helton’s thing, kind of like egg money, I suppose.
Mr Helton passed away quite a few years years ago, but Mrs Helton continued to live there on the farm. Though she almost completely lost her hearing in recent years, she still continued to appear on the porch, with a smile and change for your larger bill if necessary. Conversation was difficult. Though she’d smile, you could tell she had no idea what you’d said. Every year we’d appear in the early spring, wondering if she’d still be there on the porch. And every year for many recent years, there she’d be. It seemed like she would be there forever.
Then one spring, year before last, her son, who used to drive shuttle, was there collecting the money. We learned that Mrs Helton had moved to a nursing home.
Not all paddling stories are about whitewater. Some are about the great local folks you meet where you go paddling.
This April we learned of her passing at age 97. Mrs Opal Helton, rest in peace. You were a friend to all, but especially to the paddlers of the Ozarks.
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robkanraft
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Re: Passing of Mrs Helton
Nice, Dogpatch. A reminder that it’s not always about the destination… but the journey. I still vividly remember my first trip up to the porch, a lot of years ago. May she be running shuttle in Heaven.
robkanraft(means rob-kansas-rafter)
robert poole
robert poole
Re: Passing of Mrs Helton
I submitted the story about Mrs Helton to American Whitewater and I think they'll take it. But they asked for a photo or two. Dale, Piney guys, or anyone? Anyone got or know how to get a photo of Mrs Helton?
Re: Passing of Mrs Helton
Debbie and Kerry will be best bet, 479-331-3606. dale
Re: Passing of Mrs Helton
That's a great story. Can't wait to ready it in AW. I don't have any photos of Mrs. Helton herself. MAybe someone posed for pictures with her at some point? I imagine you can find hundreds of PIney canoe and kayak photos. Maybe even some of those big rubber boats too. Great write up about Mrs. Helton, Paul.
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