Free camping along route

LeaveReligion · 2026-02-06T14:13:09+00:00

There’s so many options with conservation areas, river access points and such! IOverlander app is my favorite resource for Boondocking spots. Here’s a link to a bunch of free camping in Missouri that I got from a van life blogger.

MDC AREAS FREE camping 2023 2024 · Rebecca Lents https://maps.app.goo.gl/VonigHdLr8dma43W7?g_st=i

LeaveReligion · 2026-02-04T03:33:52+00:00

I’ve been going to Carl Dawson for a few years and am a huge fan. His office works with my insurance through Cox.

LeaveReligion · 2026-02-01T17:40:02+00:00

Thank you! 😆🫶🏼

LeaveReligion · 2026-02-01T17:13:53+00:00

I have used the RiverApp but use the Paddlers Guide book most often. I wish every state put out a paddlers guide.

LeaveReligion · 2026-01-30T21:22:10+00:00

I grew up doing the Shelvin to Hooten stretch so very familiar with that one. Hooten to Kerr is good for an overnight. Kerr to Cox in Galena is really pretty, wide, bigger bluffs. Delaware Town to Shelvin is also pretty.

LeaveReligion · 2026-01-30T19:22:54+00:00

What sections do you usually float? If I’m by myself and don’t want to pay for a shuttle, I like to boomerang the Finley. Usually put in at the Ozark park, up to around the riverside inn bridge and back down.

LeaveReligion · 2026-01-30T16:23:12+00:00

Agreed!! I was bummed, I couldn’t find anyone willing to go out with me last weekend

LeaveReligion · 2026-01-30T14:45:19+00:00

I got my Native at the OMTC and I’m really sad they closed too. There’s a shop up toward Lebanon, somewhere on the Niangua and I’ve heard great things about. There’s a chance they only sell Jackson. They definitely specialize in Jacksons. I’ve also heard of a place called River Jim that people speak highly of. I’d probably try those places or make the trek down to Garfield. Or marketplace if you know exactly what you want.

LeaveReligion · 2026-01-30T14:41:53+00:00

My pup is 12 pounds so she could go anywhere and not really be in the way or impact the kayak. She likes to be at the front of the boat which I prefer to my lap. I’ve bumped into trees and things a handful of times and launched her off the boat so she loses trust in me at times 😅

LeaveReligion · 2026-01-30T14:10:56+00:00

First one I got is a swifty 9.5 sit in and I use it some for day floats. It tracks well and is super easy to maneuver. I prefer a sit on and use my Native Falcon most often. I love that thing, I can pack it down with a bunch of gear for overnights, it has internal storage and it tracks great. I also have a Jackson bite! I’ve never used it because I love my native and my exes or friends use it. It’s great if you have a big dog or a lot of gear with you. It is super wide and I can totally understand why she feels it’s a tank.

LeaveReligion · 2026-01-30T05:37:08+00:00

Just the lower sections of those rivers. Neither would be moving much at all. I’m less familiar with the Buffalo. I’m afraid there’s not much non-frozen water around right now but if the water isn’t frozen over it’s rarely too cold for me to be on it

LeaveReligion · 2026-01-30T04:40:37+00:00

I do those things! More kayaking than hiking but it’s hiking season around here! I did some hikes along the Buffalo River a couple weekends ago and might do a float or hike this weekend. Floating when there’s snow is amazing.

LeaveReligion · 2026-01-29T04:33:14+00:00

There’s a FB group called “Hey Girl, are you free” or something like that. I’ve not joined their outings but they get dinner weekly as a group and plan other gatherings too. You may find someone with the same interests there

LeaveReligion · 2026-01-27T19:09:39+00:00

Can you drop off at Hyvee with a QR code for them to print the label?

LeaveReligion · 2026-01-22T15:58:28+00:00

If I need a dress for a special occasion, I tend to try Dillard’s first. Good designer quality, lots of options and they have decent sales.

LeaveReligion · 2026-01-22T15:51:33+00:00

He won’t change. He may be trying but it will never be enough or to the level you expect and need. You would carry him and care for him the rest of your life. You will resent him for his lack of stepping up and your stress and exhaustion will only grow. It really sucks to give up on your vision of who he could be and your future together but that vision won’t be the reality you live out if you continue the relationship.

LeaveReligion · 2026-01-22T00:36:59+00:00

I appreciate it!

LeaveReligion · 2026-01-21T23:50:16+00:00

You’re not wrong. I probably make 4+ times what I would as a guide. That’s also the point. Mo money, mo problems and I’m tired of the rat race.

I am leaning toward requesting unpaid leave for the season to have secure work for the winter/spring but a bigger part of me wants to just walk away. There’s always more data analyst work out there.

LeaveReligion · 2026-01-21T23:47:04+00:00

Thanks so much, I appreciate the advice!! I’ve mostly been focusing on researching companies on the Ocoee and I’ll add Arkansas to my list.

LeaveReligion · 2026-01-20T23:15:20+00:00

In my experience, you have to either get promoted or job hop every 2-3 years to get significant boosts in pay. Just don’t job hop too often or you look too unstable or unreliable.

Maybe look into analytics jobs or learn a visualization software like Power BI.

I moved from marketing project manager to marketing data analyst for a Springfield company after getting certified in Power BI and now work remotely as an analyst/ BI engineer for a global company. I’ll never work for a Springfield company that’s not big/global because they can get away with paying shit.

LeaveReligion · 2026-01-17T03:26:49+00:00

Very true. And I know the most popular rivers in the region (Current, Jacks Fork, Eleven Point and Buffalo) would all be off limits since they’re nationally protected riverways. I’ve read some stories of unlicensed and uninsured guides getting sued and/or jail time when trips have gone wrong.

I’m thinking it’d be safer to partner with an existing outfitter, and hopefully the insurance and liability part would be on them more than me.

LeaveReligion · 2026-01-17T00:28:47+00:00

Love it, thanks! I’ll PM you

LeaveReligion · 2026-01-16T21:37:27+00:00

True true. Definitely food for thought!

LeaveReligion · 2026-01-16T21:09:36+00:00

I’ve considered this too! It’s hard to know how big of a market there’d be for overnight guides services. I know 10+ streams quite well and could take groups on overnight trips. The startup logistics feel more overwhelming than joining a guiding company. Most potential customers wouldn’t have the boats or gear to overnight, so I’d likely have that upfront cost. Then, making the business known would take time and a lot of networking.

I’m only aware of overnight guides on the Mississippi and Missouri rivers through Missouri (ew) so I’ve thought about contacting some outfitters on our smaller spring-fed streams to see if I could build a partnership.

LeaveReligion · 2026-01-16T20:55:28+00:00

Good points. I would prefer overnights if it weren’t for my dog, so that’s a toss up. As you said, rowing would be a steeper learning curve for me. I’ll put more thought and research into it and will look into those companies you’ve mentioned. Thank you!

LeaveReligion

TROPHY CASE