Choochin'

Here is one last video from the first float of 2013.  I was lucky to get a few good ones with the flip camera on this trip.  As usual the Tugboat was choochin' at full force on day two of Big Sugar.  There is something about riding behind this guy that I love.   The combination of music, pipe smoke, and flowing water just does it for me.  There is never a doubt that when the Tug is having a good time.  In fact, there is a direct correlation between the level of fun he is having and the amount of smoke produced from his pipe.  Even the addition of pipe filters couldn't slow this guy down.  Fortunately, the couples float is coming up just one short week from tomorrow so we can all get our Tugboat fix.  Early discussions indicate that we will be hitting yet another new stretch of water on Indian Creek.  This is an underutilized river in my opinion with crystal clear water and wonderful swimming holes.  So bring your appetite for Friday and be ready to rage on Saturday.  I hope everyone is ready for the pig!

Old Dogs

It is great to see those that paved the way for us come on a Jackal trip.  When you think about all the people who refuse to come or end up walking out because its too rough, it really makes you appreciate what these guys did.  Hell, they wrote the book on having a good time so its fitting they come show us how its done.  At every turn they were soaking up whatever the river had to offer.  They set the pace all night long and were ready to roll the next day.  I only hope I can hang this well.  Truly impressive.


I also love how creepy the Jackalski is in this vid.  He is always ready to make a movie.

Recovering from Moon Burn?

Keeping up the review of last year's floats I came across this little jewel.  The most talked about event of last year has to be the night float.  I don't know how far we went that night or what time we stopped, I just remember how bright the light was off the water.  Sometime early Saturday morning the lead boat pulled over and started a fire on a gravel bar, a piece of driftwood as a pillow I slept.  My best night on the river, ever.  Everyone has their favorites on the water.  That was mine.  I was surprised when I saw this movie the first time and was glad I thought to pull out the camera.  There isn't much more to say about this except that I'm ready to do it again.

Last Year's Fun

Last year the blog didn't get the updates that it deserves, so I put this quick video together to capture one of the highlights from last year.  This is an outstanding spot that is visited by many from across Missouri every year.  The Jackals usually take advantage of every one of these opportunities that they get.  Here is a video montage of the Current River cliff jumping that took place last year.  Its hard to tell from the video, but Tugboat was impressing everyone on the water with his American skirt jumps.  There are a few more videos, pictures and maps to follow so keep checking the blog for updates.

Big Sugar

The Big Sugar didn't let me down last weekend.  This was a float that will be remembered for a long time.  Beautiful water and a great crew for sure.  Five new faces by my count made for the biggest Jackal float trip to date.  Here is a quick video of just how awesome time on the water can be.  Kicked back, listening to music, eating some Boil.  There is quite possibly nothing better.



On another note, the odometer has been updated, along with the Jackal Photos tab.  Check it out!

Two New Photo Albums

There are two new albums available on the Photos Tab.  The Jackals have been busy and there a pictures to prove it.  You will notice some new faces and a whole lot of awesomeness.  Look for more posts to come.

Preparations

T-shirts and beer.  I think two important rules apply in this situation.  The first is: Both are better when they are homemade.  The second: Both are enjoyed more while on the water.

I’m beginning to believe that in a few years the Jackal Hoard will be entirely self-sufficient.  Handmade boats, paddles, shirts (at least the printing), and beer reflect the independent spirit of the Jackal.  If we could just befriend someone with smithy skills that could help us forge our own knives I can’t think of much more we could need.  While the JackalHawks were a valiant effort, they fell quite short of the standard that is required to pillage at our level.

This year the spirit of our group has manifested in the creation of some amazing products.  The brewing has been a wonderful reprieve from everyday life this year.  PBC, Predator Brewing Company, has been in full force kegging beer and bottling nearly every week.  This year the crawdad boil is going run on predator brew!  Saturday he was at it again with a small contingent of Jackals in Columbia.  This picture was snapped while they waiting on the mash and getting a little paddle carving done.  The Predator even got in on a little carving himself.

While the beer was brewing going on the annual Jackal T-Shirts were being printed in St. Louis.  Every year the new shirt is a much anticipated event.  The crawdad boil will be the setting for the big reveal this year and it will be a real treat.  Screen printing was a new experience for me.  In the first pic you can see what the screen looks like before printing.  The admiral is taping off everything that he doesn’t want printed.  You can see the Coat of Arms that is getting ready to go on the back of the new shirts.

In this one the ink has been applied to the screen and the admiral is printing the back of one of the shirts with his squeegee.

Finally this is a pic of the admiral with 15 of the 22 shirts that were completed that day.  It was an awesome day that included the best thrift shop experience I have ever had.  I don’t plan on missing a print day ever again.  Bring your 5 dollars to purchase your Jackal t-shirt to the crawdad boil.  I imagine they will go fast!

First Float

The first float of the season is the most amazing thing that I look forward to every year.  While this is not going to be one of the three "majors" of the year, it will provide some much needed release from the daily grind.  It might be hard to believe for some people but this image is what I'm waiting for.  The Tugboat and flag riding proudly in the bow of the mad river.  The rains have been a blessing so far this season, providing ample water in creeks that were thirsty for it.

Early discussion has confirmed a float to commemorate Quatro Mayo.  Fortunately for anyone who will be in attendance this means that the loco bombs will flow freely as we test the waters.  I'm not sure if a destination has been officially decided upon but I'm sure it will be the highlight of discussion at the birthday festivities this weekend near the Man Barn.

In other news, PBC (Predator Brewing Company) has recently produced all of the beer for the Crawdad Boil.  I was only able to get involved in one brew but I had a great time while we were there.  I'm looking forward to consuming copious amounts of this on the 31st of May.

Tug Boat Smoke

Every now and then the breeze will carry the sweet smell of the Tugboat's pipe to the rear of the canoe.  It is the subtle reminder that you are floating with a real man's man.  This has been true of many rivers for me.  However, on the last trip things went a little south for Tugboat.  His patriotic shorts quickly became the American skirt after over exposure to moon burn resulted in some excellent decision making.  Then things got worse when an overexposed cliff jump resulted in a flesh eating bacterial infection.  Needless to say he had a rough last day on the water.  Then from the back of the boat came the smell of a different kind of smoke.  Instead of the usual sweet smell of the pipe it was the odor that comes from a trash fire.  I'm not sure if the Motorboater realized the was burning a flag at the time, but in the moment it was extremely funny.  I hope the coming float season brings us all as much joy as we had last year.

Home Brew

You have to ask yourself, "Would you drink from the Buck Hole?"  Anyone that knows the man would say Yes!  His home brew is a delicacy on the river, appreciated by all who have a cup to drink from.  Referred to as "The Predator," he has added a wild card dynamic to every float he attends.  His pre-mades are legendary on the riverbank and provide a huge burst of energy when it is needed most.  This year he is planning on taking his game to the next level and everyone is ready to see what it might bring.  There is only one important rule, don't eat his hair!