lymebrat
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3208
posted
Hi All,
Charlie ya, I wasn't sure if I should start a new topic or not, but it seems alot of people didn't know that "Lyme Float 2004" was about a get together...so this gives us 2 threads to help spread the word
rosesisland2000
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2001
posted
Wow, I didn't realize that that thread was about floating the Buffalo.
Now, when are you guys going? Remember, it is still very cool up there in the mountains in the early Spring. Also, the river is very fast if there has been a lot of Spring rains. It continues to slow down as the Spring goes on into Summer.
We (Chip and I) would love to come...I can't canoe because I am having my rotator cuff repaired March 8th, but, would love to camp out...we can even bring our camper we just got, if we can get it fixed up and repaired by then.
Wow, floating the Buffalo is a BLAST. Along the way, there are banks where you can stop off and eat and drink and get some sun. But, whatever you do, bring your sun-screen, cause I can remember one of my worst sunburns, ever, was from a day on the Buffalo.
posted
If you all are serious about a large group, someone should start looking into the appropriate reservations. Where, for instance, would this happen? A hotel, campground, parking lot?
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rosesisland2000
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2001
posted
Don't know if you saw this over in Computer topics but, for those that may want to actually "float" the Buffalo, then, the summer is not the time for that. By July, the river is bearly a trickle in some places, depending on the rains in the Spring.
There are plenty of camp grounds, but, most of the actual places to stay close by will be mom and pop type of cabins and canoe rental places.
Now, when this Summer are you guys planning to walk, er, float the Buffaloe? It's still a great place to be during the Summer.
There is a great cavern near there called Blanchard Springs that rivals Carlesbad...I've been to both.
The weather up in the Ozarks during the summer is always pleasant. I have many great memories of times there over my years.
lymebrat
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3208
posted
Hi All,
I have been looking through my AAA books and found an interesting place to stay...it can accommodate those who want to camp in tents, RV's and has rustic and deluxe cabins. Plus it's right on the river... it may be worth looking into...
lymebrat
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3208
posted
Hi all,
I think it was roses who posted a concern about the water levels in the summer?... I did some research and it says that the Lower Buffalo can be floated year round.
Also, I think summer would be a good time, as we hopefully wouldn't freeze at night, and those of us with kids who are in school can come too.
posted
I would love to join in, but I still can't bring myself into the woods yet.
frenchbraid
------------------ Stay positive. Smile. People care.
Posts: 948 | From Northwest, NJ USA | Registered: Jul 2003
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once bitten
Unregistered
posted
Hey, there are no ticks IN the water...not unless they discovered tiny rafts. sounds like fun...
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TX Lyme Mom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3162
posted
Not to worry because the percentage of infected ticks down here in TX (and probably in our neighbor AR) is pretty low -- like only about 1%-2%, vs over 50% in some areas back East.
Furthermore, if you do get a tick bite and can't get prompt treatment, then the book by Lyme expert Barbour describes a method of treating the tick bite itself directly with a paste made up of doxycycline and DMSO. Of course, his book recommends this method for veterinary use only, on family pets, since it would have been illegal for him to describe it for human use.
However, it doesn't take too much smarts to figure out that what's good enough for the four-legged members of our household family should be good enough for the two-legged members also.
DMSO is sold legally for use in animal supply stores. It's used to treat sprained ankles in horses, so look for it on the aisle with other kinds of horse liniment(sp?). Don't ask too many stupid questions to tip them off that you are buying it for human use or else they might refuse to sell it to you though since it's illegal to purchase it for anything other than for veterinary use.
DMSO is used for humans in European medicine to treat sprained ankles. It works very well for that purpose.
Be sure NOT to apply it with dirty hands or on unclean skin, because DMSO acts as a "carrier" and it will carry anything straight into your skin and cells -- such as newsprint from your hands. Apply it only after cleansing the wound thoroughly and use a clean Q-tip to mix the powdered doxycycline (or tetracycline) into it.
Tetracycline is sold in animal pet stores. It's used to treat sick fish in aquariums.
Be sure that you throw away any out-dated tetracycline because it becomes toxic after it's expiration date.
Oh, yea, the name of the book by Alan Barbour, MD which describes this method of treating tick bites in dogs, in order to keep the infection from going systemic, is "Lyme Disease: the Cause, the Cure, the Controversy". The info on DMSO is on page 225. He does state that this treatment is still experimental -- which probably protects both him and his publisher from legalities.
Anyhow, I wouldn't go camping anwhere without my stash of "veterinary supplies" to treat incidental tick bites in my first aid kit.
arg82
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 161
posted
I'd be interested in making the treak all the way out there to Arkansas (I've never been there before so it would be fun!) but it would all depend on WHEN the trip would be planned for. I work for six weeks in the summer at a camp so if it was in July or August I couldn't do it. I'm also not sure if I'll be on IVs at that point or not (hoping to start them soon) so that might also determine if I'd be able to go. Anyway, just wanted you all to know I'm interested!
--Annie
------------------ "If it takes my whole life I won't break, I won't bend. It will all be worth it, Worth it in the end." --Sarah McLachlan
Posts: 2184 | From Rochester, MA | Registered: Oct 2000
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charlie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25
posted
....Talked to MADDOG last nite, we're thinking the second week of June.
There should still be water in the river, it won't be too hot, the kids will be out of school, and we'll miss the July 4th crowds.
TX Lyme Mom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3162
posted
Ah shucks! I'm probably going to have to accompany my husband on a trip to China in mid-June -- unless I can persuade him not to go. He doesn't have any business trying to travel that far alone, due to some chronic health problems he has, so if he goes, I've gotta' go.
I'd much rather float down a raft in Arkansas than travel abroad to China, no matter when.
The last time I travelled with him, we ended up in India during the height of the riots and were lucky to make it back home. Too much adventure for little ole moi. Long story. It was so @#$E$$% dangerous that the Western journalist weren't even there to report on it, though, if that gives you any hint as to why I no longer like to go on these business trips to third world countries with him.
I vote for the Lyme Float, but I might not get to have a vote in our household. So organize it whenever it's best for everyone else. I'll do my best to persuade him NOT to go abroad this summer, but it'll take a lot to stop him. (I think he's one of the conference organizers, darn it.)
[This message has been edited by TX Lyme Mom (edited 21 February 2004).]
lymebrat
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3208
posted
Rocket to the top for those who haven't see this yet...
Also here is an update Maddog posted on his Float 2004 post:
Hi Gang,The date is (June) 6\04 to (June)12/04 the campground is Buffalo Point. Go here to read about the area, http://www.nps.gov/buff/ .
Reservations can be made at this web sight. http://www.reserveusa.com/ Just type in Buffalo Point and add ARKANSAS .
There is fishing, canoeing, hiking, caving, swimming,and during the day. If one cant do a lot ,there are nature programs each day at the visitor center.Local outfitters will provide canoes ,and or,shuttle service up stream.
We can plan a massive lyme floatilla. Campfires at night,roasting marshmellows and hot doggs. Maybe we can catch enuf fish to have a fish fry.MMMMMMMM GOOD. MADDOG
P.S. I will be on loop D sight 70,and the buzzards will be on loop D sight 71.
posted
The Buffalo is expected to crest at 45 ft today....W-E-L-L above flood stage! I'm sure everything will be fine by the time you guys get down here, just posting this as an item of interest.
Sad news too.....a baby was swept away by floodwaters in NW Arkansas yesterday.
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