We rise from our tents well rested from the evening of storms and high winds and in good spirits for our last day on the Arkansas River. The day is pristine as everything looks as if its been washed clean by the storm. Our campsite is full of water, except the mounds of sand we set our tents on.
I marvel at the
absorption properties of sand.
Today is a a special day. We will see the mouth of the Arkansas River at the confluence with the Mighty Mississippi. I take a moment to observe our campsite perched on a bluff overlooking the Arkansas River. What makes it special is, it’s covered on three sides by driftwood and has a viewing arc of 180 degrees of the river. I named it Quapaninsula. Since this natural setting occurred on ancient Quapaw land, I’ve felt a strong connection since we have been here. The Quapaws settled in the Mississippi River valley between the St. Francis and Arkansas River.
La Salle among the Quapaw at the mouth of the Arkansas River
Everyone takes off for a day of exploring as the sun peaks out over the trees. I sit in the piles of driftwood looking at fine pieces of art throughout the asymmetrical pilings, occasionally changing my seating arrangement to view the piles at a different angle. I start to think about how this mysterious place was formed. My imagination takes over as I scan over the pile.
Images of animals and people flash
through my mind as my imagination runs wild.
The standing willows wore scars of the driftwood colliding against them as they floated around the bend. The sand mounds, which we camped upon, were formed by an eddy created between the trees slowing the water down and dropping silt. Ten months of the year, this site is flooded and mosquito ridden. Beaver scat covered the swampy areas and the dead fish picked clean by the scavengers. Fifteen to twenty feet in the air, you can see where the beavers stared to feed on the willows, letting me know this area is underwater most of the year.
Evidence of beavers
The team slowly makes their way back to the camp as we start breakfast. We hear great news as our plight with the Mississippi Tax Commission has moved on from the House and Senate, and is headed for the Governor’s desk. We celebrate as the sun rays makes the willows steam creating a fog throughout the forest. The rain last night has triggered the leaves of the willows to green. The forest seem to grow before my eyes. My emotions fly high and I tear up knowing we spent our last night under the umbrella of the Creator at a sacred Quapaw site. We spend extra time sitting on the bluff processing the great news before we pack and move on. The team (minus myself) takes a celebratory swim in the frigid waters and we head for the Mississippi River!
~ Mark River
Mark River is a big River guide and youth leader for Quapaw Canoe Company, and is also the Southern Ambassador for the 1Mississippi Campaign. Join us at www.1Mississippi.org and become a River Citizen!