Members of Arkansas Back Country Horsemen (ABCH) have once again made a lifetime of memories in just three weeks of October, 2022. In celebration of the Buffalo National River Park’s 50th anniversary, the group hosted the Rendezvous River Ride, beginning at the mouth of the river where it empties into the White River and ending near the upper reaches of its headwaters. The format was changed a bit for this fourth river ride.

Instead of riding the length of the river and requiring riders to shuttle their trailers and camping equipment forward to a different campsite every day as they had done in the past, this year the members opted for five campgrounds along the river, allowing participants to ride and camp at each one for three to four days before moving on to the next. This proved to be a popular option as it allowed for plenty of riding time on the trails (nearly 170 miles), while also making more time for rest and relaxation around the campfire.

Each of the five campgrounds was hosted by members of ABCH, whose first responsibility was to make sure the trails in their area were clear and passable. Much of this prep work took place throughout the year with work days scheduled as needed. Keeping trails open for everyone is part of Back Country Horsemen’s mission statement, so most of this preparation felt like business as usual for the hardworking members. During the River Ride, the hosts each arranged for at least one group meal (usually more than one), invited educational speakers and musical entertainment, provided nightly campfires, and had emergency contingency plans in line for each area – in short, the hosts tried to think of everything anyone might need or want. The Ride started at Saddle Valley Ranch where Ted Spears and Elaine Appel hosted. A highlight on the final night was a barbecue dinner dance provided by the camp owners, Wayne and Karen Johnson, along with music by a local bluegrass band. After four great  days of riding, the group moved to Hathaway, a primitive horse camp near the lower Buffalo, where hosts Rhonda Keeter and Terry Bell, along with members of the Lower Buffalo River BCH, treated the riders to a fabulous fish fry, complete with all the trimmings. Chuck Bitting, retired geologist with the National Park Service, gave a fascinating campfire talk about the history of the mines in the area, which was followed by a bushwhacking ride the next day to some of those local mines.

Jacque Alexander and Joyce Taylor assumed host duties when the Ride moved to Woolum on the middle Buffalo. Fall colors really popped here, making for beautiful rides along the river. Joyce’s husband, Johnny Taylor from Little Rock, drove up one evening to grill burgers for the group, followed by that night’s campfire talk by Rachel Norton, who spoke about her work as a wildlife biologist for the Gene Rush Wildlife Management Area. With the fall colors following along and becoming more vivid every day, the riders next headed upriver to Erbie Horse Camp where Chuck and Carol Bitting guided them to hidden caves and springs in the area, along with rides to historical old home places. Around the fire, Jim and Susie Lyles, both retired from the Buffalo National River, shared their extensive knowledge of the history and the lore of the upper Buffalo, which made the day rides to some of the places they talked about even more meaningful. On the last day, Carol lead a memorable ride that included private land where the most hospitable hosts imaginable, Greg and Diane Spear and their daughter Jessie, took in the hungry riders, laid a feast before them, watered their horses, and then sent them on their way back to Erbie, content and well-fed. Next stop, the last, was Steel Creek.

The bluebird kind of days that marked the Rendezvous River Ride turned a bit nippy at Steel Creek, with lows in the 20’s, but that didn’t deter the committed group of riders as the 17-day ride neared the end. Larkin and Pam Floyd hosted this portion of the Ride, assisted by the welcoming rangers at the Ranger Station at Steel Creek. The riding there included most of the beloved sites on this section of the river, including Granny Henderson’s Cabin, Sneed’s Creek, Kyle’s Landing, and a jaunt up to Low Gap Café for lunch. Waking up every morning to the magnificent Roark Bluff was just icing on the frosty cake. Music and cowboy poetry filled the last two nights, with the fan-favorite, Brick Fields duo from Fayetteville and members of ABCH providing never-to-be forgotten entertainment.

The 2022 Rendezvous River Ride ended as the previous rides had – with most riders ready to turn around and do it all over again. The camaraderie and the communion with fellow riders and equines gave each person a feeling of peace and harmony that only time spent in the wilderness with friends can provide.

Of course, an event like this isn’t all just fun, food and games; this River Ride took almost a year to plan, with riders from all of the Arkansas BCH chapters taking part in the planning and execution of the arrangements. Thank you to members of the Buffalo River Chapter, the Lower Buffalo River BCH, the AR-Ozarks chapter, and the BCHNWA chapter for pitching in to scout and clear trails. Special thanks go to the camp cooks who brought in supplies, set up grills and griddles, and cooked delicious meals for 30plus hungry cowpokes. Bobby Alexander and his fellow camp cookies, Peter Deisch and Chuck Bitting, were regulars on the scene, cooking up dutch oven favorites like fajitas, cobblers, and cowboy scrambles with homemade biscuits. Tom Cole, also, drove up to Steel Creek from Little Rock to work his dutch oven magic, including biscuits and gravy for breakfast. And then there are the horses and mules… In any event like this they are the true stars of the show, and these equines were flawless in their execution of duties, with no injuries or serious problems reported. In fact, they seemed as eager to hit the trails every day as their riders. Most notable, Rambler, a Missouri Foxtrotter, completed his fourth river ride (over 610 miles total) – the only horse to have completed every mile of all four river rides. (He just happens to be the author’s horse…).

So far, these special River Rides have occurred every three years: 2013’s Great River Ride, 2016’s Centennial Ride, 2019’s Silver Celebration Ride, and now 2022’s Rendezvous River Ride.  Who knows what 2025 will bring? One thing is for sure, however; it will be hard to top this year’s Arkansas BCH Rendezvous Ride!