Jackal Photos!

Here is a quick post to update you about the Jackal Photos page.  Great strides have been made in putting the pictures on the web and sharing them on the blog.  Just click on the link to Jackal Photos at the top and enjoy the three albums that are up so far.  More pictures will be added here as they arrive so keep a look out for them after every event or float of the river jackal hoard.  These links aren't the highest quality so if you find one you really like let me know and I can get you a copy of the original.  If you have pics you would like to add let me know and I'll get them posted.  These go back to the float that started it all Shoal Creek 2009 - The Bachelor Party.

Happy Floating!

Reasons to Celebrate

It isn't often that you get to enjoy this type of water.  For our smaller bodies of water the early spring float is the only way to go in order to take full advantage of the rain and high water levels.  And when you do you are rewarded with action like this.  Early in the float just beyond the dam, the creek provided just what a Jackal is on the hunt for, a little excitement.  There really is nothing like shooting some swift water at 9:15 in the a.m.  The guide had no problem and Humping to Please is sizing it up ready to attack.

The other benefit of the early float is that the hoard can enjoy some nice water time.  This shot taken only a few minutes later shows how the water opens up for some relaxing flat water.  With paddles out of the water the Admiral is preparing to pass around the whiskey bottle.  While it is always the true drink of a Jackal there was some experimentation during this float that proved to please the senses quite nicely.  You can expect to see several new concoctions on the water for the Elk River.

The mighty hoard

I realized that we had not yet posted the ritualistic departure photo yet for Flat Creek 2010. All twelve members, plus the finest k9 specimen a jackal could ask for, are present and wielding beards, machetes, and beers. Always a quality moment in time when you can get a photo of the river hoard together, for there are only two moments when you can gather jackals long and still enough for a photo, and that is at the beginning and the end of their highly anticipated adventure.

For no float trip is ingrained in time without a quality campsite photo, I felt it pertinent to show the campfire smoke billowing in the background, 1.5 inch sirloins grilling in the foreground, and one well behaved Boxer female staying dry on someones sleeping bag. Notice, even in the evening most jackals refuse to wear their shirts. Maybe it is the lava hot campfire stoking in preparation for supper, or maybe its the wild beast within. This campsite near Terd Cliff is a fine representation of the many bad mother gravel bars that Flat Creek has to offer and it is from this site, in probably the most isolated country in Barry county, that asthma boy had to be evacuated on foot. Then there were 11.

Campsite Coffee

As we start to think about the next float it is always important to look back and think about the highs and lows to be better prepared. One thing that I've made a mental note to remember is to pack the coffee cups. The morning on the river just isn't complete without some campsite coffee to get things started. For the Admiral, unfortunately, he was required to drink his from a discarded corn can from the night before. The important thing to know is that a River Jackal is resourceful and never slowed down by an item that might have been forgotten.

While everyone might have a different style when it comes to camping and floating I believe that the only thing you need to know is that you should get out there and take advantage of every opportunity you can. Start thinking about the July 3rd and 4th float and we'll see you at the Man Barn.

The Amazing Jackalski!

Here is the first attempt at linking a Float or Die YouTube video to the blog.  This video pretty much explains itself but I'll give those who weren't there a little background.  This was shot at Meth Bridge on day one of the Flat Creek trip which is one of the favorite stops along the way.  The Jackalski saw several young children climbing the frame of the bridge and jumping off.  Not one to be out done, he scaled the bridge and put those kids to shame.  As you will see from the video there was quite a crowd gathered there that day so the Jackals were able to leave a good impression on all who were present.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViGTFkDlUvM

Land of the Free

There is no doubt that the Jackals love America.  This photo was taken on the eve of our last adventure on Flat Creek.  The Man Barn was once again transformed into a place of celebration.  The hoodies that are seen here are courtesy of the Jackalski and are sporting the artwork of the Dreaded Rear Admiral.  We are photographed in front of one of the Man Barn's most prized possession.  The big ass American flag that graces the south wall.  The flag which was added last fall is an immediate reminder that we love our country and the many opportunities that it provides us.  It's good to know that one has a place that they can retreat to such as this when they need an escape so that they can enjoy life to the fullest. Some place that your free to say and do what you please without worrying about what others might think or say.  While the Man Barn may reside on the Cockleburr Ranch, it exists because of the brotherhood of the Jackals.

Rope swings make my face hurt.

Since we are in the rope swinging mode, I thought I would include some quality moments from flat creek, courtesy of the Jackalski. Above we have the Animal and to the right First Class Seaman, both catching some quality air. The Animal appears to be catching some good hang time, probably due to his three feet of hair. Also, I thought it would be good to include Soundwave, with his new tattoos, and the First Class Seaman at the helm.

Flat Creek 2010

I think that this picture pretty much sums up the amazing trip that we had on flat creek June 5th & 6th.  12 brave souls set out on an amazing journey but only 11 managed to make it to the end.  (Which was unfortunate, but sounds cool here.)  The water was perfect, as we expected for an early season float, and set the stage for one heck of a good time.  The Jackals had several new faces on the water with us which was truly a blessing.  With some last minute cancellations of D-bag Dustin and Iron Mike we were worried that it might be a skeleton crew.  Oh were we wrong.  The additions proved to be quite sea worthy and added a lot of great conversation and excitement to the mix.  Some of the biggest props have to go out to cousin Nick and Wink for their rope swing extreme.  They pushed the Jackals further than ever before with their ability to master the rope.  This picture of the Master Motorboater shows the Jackals doing their best to keep up.