Double Dose

FAYETTEVILLE

The flotilla of canoes and kayaks at the Lake Wedington boat house do double duty when it comes to plying Ozark waters.

Paddlers may enjoy the scenery of the wooded lake one day, then rent a boat the next day to float the nearby Illinois River.

A double dose of adventure is the idea that Gary Love and Tina McCarver had in May when they became the concessionaires at Lake Wedington Recreation Area in the Ozark National Forest between Fayetteville and Siloam Springs. Their business, "Love To Float Outfitters" gives customers a choice of calm water on the lake or gentle current on the river.

For either option, trips start at the boat house on the 102-acre lake where rental canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are arranged in colorful rows. State-of-the-art pedal boats are also available, tucked away in the shelter of the boat house.

This summer, the two have spread good tidings about Lake Wedington Recreation Area, a place they feel is an overlooked jewel in the region's recreation crown.

"There are people who've lived in Fayetteville for years who don't know this place is here," Love said.

Lake Wedington has campsites, cabins and trails. There's a restaurant that Love and McCarver also operate. There are volleyball and horseshoe courts, a swim beach, lodge and a group camping area. Bring a mountain bike or hiking shoes, but don't bring pets. They aren't allowed.

The cabins and other attractions were built in the 1930s through the Works Progress Administration. All have the rustic look of other parks built during that era.

Take In The Lake

Lake Wedington was a reflecting pool the morning of Aug. 15 when I met Love, McCarver and some of their friends to look at the lake and take a float trip on the Illinois River. Most of the canoes and kayaks had been rented for lake use the previous weekend, Love said. Now four were being loaded on trailers for the river trip.

A forested shoreline makes for a lovely lake paddle in a kayak or canoe. Fishing is the draw for a lot of visitors such as Boon Eden. She comes to Lake Wedington almost every day to fish.

"It's peaceful and quiet. It's a pretty place," said Eden, who lives near the lake. She was just getting started with her fishing and already had some fine-sized bluegill on a stringer. There's good fishing for bluegill, catfish and black bass, she said.

There's a boat ramp across the lake from the boat house. The lake has a 10-horsepower limit on outboard motors.

A swim beach is just south of the boat house. There's a diving platform and wheelchair ramp. Visitors can get in a brisk round of beach volleyball, then jump in the lake a few steps away to cool off. The water is clear and inviting.

On the morning of our get-together, the park looked immaculate with neatly trimmed grass and buildings in tip top shape.

"They really do a good job of keeping this place looking nice," Love said.

Off To The River

If a beautiful lake isn't enough to showcase, Love and McCarver couldn't wait to show off the Illinois River which is practically in the park's back yard. Dawn Williams and Ken Branstetter rounded out our group of five paddlers. We climbed into the outfitter's van for a short drive to the Old Highway 68 access east of Siloam Springs. Our plan was to float downriver six miles to end our trip at the new Siloam Springs Whitewater Recreation Park at Fisher Ford.

Float trips of 4 to 20 miles are available. Technology makes it easy for the outfitter's customers to float the Illinois.

"Unlike some rivers, we have good cellphone service all up and down the river," Love explained.

Customers hop aboard the Love to Float Outfitters van for the ride to the put-in spot. When they're ready to be picked up at the end of the float, they call the office on their cellphone and the van returns to pick them up. It takes 20 to 30 minutes for most pickups.

We carried four kayaks and a canoe down a steep trail at the Old Highway 68 access and were on our way. The Illinois River had good flow this sunsplashed, mid-August day. The Illinois is easy to navigate and scenic as it meanders west.

"It's a good beginner river," Love said. He floated with his dog, Loki, in a tandem sit-0n-top kayak.

Talk about the lead dog. Loki has this thing that he has to be at the front of the pack. Get ahead of Loki and the pooch goes into full bark until he's in front again.

A fair amount of downed timber in the river creates minor obstacles for boaters. The trees are terrific fish habitat and add to the river's wild look. Be alert and plan ahead when timber looms ahead.

Our mission was mainly to explore the Illinois, but we all fished a little. Love does well on the stream with a small crank bait. Tube baits, small plastic worms or Rooster Tails are all worth a cast on the Illinois River.

Love and McCarver have held some river cleanups and have cut out some hazards to make the Illinois River a fine destination for floating. Love has been paddling on the Illinois River for much of his life. Now he enjoys sharing it with customers.

"This river is too pretty not to float," he said.

We pulled off on a shady bank for a sumptuous lunch that was shared by all. Love called the Lake Wedington boat house to arrange our pickup in an hour or so at the Siloam Springs Whitewater Recreation Park.

Whitewater Thrills

Construction of a new bridge over the river signals paddlers that they've arrived at the whitewater park, situated south of Siloam Springs on Fisher Ford Road. We'd seen a few paddlers on the river. When we got to the whitewater park, dozens of swimmers were enjoying the waves mainly with inner tubes.

The river channel was altered during construction of the park to create two short stretches of whitewater waves. Judging from the whoops and hollers, the 3-foot swells made for a wet, bouncing thrill. Everyone wore life jackets. All ages from toddlers to senior citizens enjoyed the fast water and park-like shoreline. Families had picnics at tables beside the water. A woman read a book in the shade. Use of the park is free.

Our float was over, but the fun wasn't. Love and Branstetter took to the whitewater in their sit-on-top kayaks. The boats aren't the ideal whitewater craft. The two just laughed every time their kayaks flipped.

When they'd had enough, the boats went back on the trailer for the trip back to Lake Wedington and its tranquil, peaceful water.

Outdoors on 08/28/2014