Outdoor Adventures in the Ozarks

       When looking at any map of the Buffalo River, Seven Mile Bend better known as ‘The Duck Head’ is familiar and really stands out, therefore a major point of interest.  Being in the Lower Buffalo Wilderness and right across the river from popular and easy to reach Rush Historic District, I would look at a map and say to myself, ‘so close and yet so far away’.  But that’s not true at all, an easy drive to the end of Cozahome Road provides great access to the ‘Duck Head’. The Mystic Hole      I get to Jackson Ridge Trailhead aka Cozahome Trailhead (the same trailhead used for 153 Devil’s Tea Table ),  at about 9:30 and meet five or six turkey hunters.   All are completely decked out head to toe in camo gear, even their shotguns are camo.   They have been here since before sunrise and are getting ready to move on to ‘somewhere else’, they tell me they heard a few gobblers but haven’t seen a turkey all morning.   St...

       Fifteen months ago while hiking on the OHT east of Richland Creek Wilderness (see: 159 Fat Lip Falls ) , I made it as far as Long Branch and found a beautiful waterfall.  Only exploring about 100 yards of Long Branch that day, I’ve been waiting   ever since  for the chance to return after some good prolonged rain.   O ne week after our ‘big’ rains, today the creek should still be flowing well. rocky Long Branch      Parked just off Falling Water Road (FR 1205) at an old road I’ll refer to as 'Long Branch Road' (FR 92744A).  Today the forest service gate blocking vehicle access down the road is standing wide open.  I’m tempted to just drive on down but not knowing what lies ahead and seeing no tire tracks, I decide to park outside the gate.  I will soon come to regret this decision, walking down the road I quickly realize how good its condition is, any little SUV could handle this road even the two easy creek c...