“There are so many things you can do
in a kayak,” says Kaitlyn Fry, 25, of Cali- co Rock, who enjoys kayaking to fish, seeing the scenery and hanging out with friends.
0She was kayaking with her dog Milo,
a 2 ½-year-old mixed breed, who want- ed to explore so much he kept jumping off the kayak and swimming, clad in his life vest, to shore. “I like it,” Kaitlyn says simply, floating
near rocky ledges under the shade of overhanging trees. “It’s something dif- ferent to do.”
Area beauty It probably goes without saying that
kayaking is great exercise, and as good for the mind as for the body. “Life is very hectic these days, and
getting out on the lake, especially on a quiet morning, it almost can create a Zen moment for you,” Greg says. Those planning to kayak on the lake
should go early in the morning or in the evening, when it is calm and still.
As the day heats up, the wind and
boat traffic increases, making the water choppier. Spring rains have made area lake lev- els higher, but the water is beautifully clear and there is no floating debris. James Porter and his son Walker, 15,
of Nesbit, Miss., were kayaking with a group on Norfork Lake, enjoying the area’s beauty. “We like to fish and do water sports,”
James says. “This is a great area to do that. It’s beautiful.” James and his wife, Lori, started vis- iting 20 years ago after friends intro- duced them to the area. A few years ago, they bought property in Norfork and plan to move there in the future, says James, who has retired after working 30 years as a police officer. As for now, the family enjoys making frequent visits to the area. Because of the higher water levels, those who plan to visit marinas may want to arrive earlier in the day to find parking, or consider visiting on a day other than the weekend.
Places to go
The Ozarks offer countless opportunities for paddling. Here are some local kayakers’ favorite places.
Bryant Creek Buffalo National River Crooked Creek North Fork of the White River Piney Creek Spring River White River
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