@@TheMattC9999 No, that was a very, very old common snapping turtle. The shells wear down with age on both species. Long neck, small head, plus there aren’t really alligator snapping turtles in the Meremac, especially that far upstream. They are further south. Alligator snapping turtles have short necks, huge heads and much more strongly hooked beaks. Also, they never crawl up on logs like that. They are pretty sedentary unless looking for mates or looking for a place to lay eggs.
While that is a beautiful stretch of the Meramec, 15 miles is just scratching the surface of this 100+ miles long river, with beautiful scenery along every mile, and around every bend.
It's a good river, been down it multiple times, 11 point is another nice one, the Current, the North Fork all very nice spring rivers to float in Missouri.
I know those floats so well. Have floated with Mark at Adventure outdoors for 20 years. Two of the nicest floats on the Meramec thought the first 2 miles of the up river float is rough if water isn't high. Thanks for sharing your adventure.
Thank you, I cant wait for some nicer weather and I will be back out there in the canoe, glad you enjoyed the video! Good luck this year, well see you on the water.
A helpful tip, regarding the "dirt" comment at the 16:05 mark: Hot air rises, and it carries dirt/grit up with the heat. I once had a huge porterhouse for dinner while paddling the Mississippi River. I made a charcoal fire right on top of that flour-like sand, and grilled the steak I and my dog had looked forward to all day. I took one bite, and it was so gritty, it was inedible (by me, or anyone valuing their teeth enamel); my dog enjoyed the steak enough for both of us. (SnooP was less concerned for his teeth than I was...) So, use a foil baking pan or sheet of doubled-up aluminum foil between the sand and the fire, it works great. The aluminum foil pans work great, as you can bend the pan so you have a wind deflector.)
Hey, thanks for the ideas 💡 I am always trying new things, but hot dog style is my go-to. Mississippi seems like quite an undertaking, I am a little intimidated by a river that big. Maybe someday. Thanks for the comment.
Yes my 38 year old daughter and 9 year old grandson did 6 miles with end point at Indian Springs last June andthe river was running low it took us about 7 or 8 hours but we were ready...it was hot even after jumping in several times but nice memories.
The big turtle was a female common snapping turtle. Females get really big. Despite what people say, there really aren’t alligator snapping turtles in the Meremac, especially not that far upstream. However, if you get closer to the Mississippi, you might see one if you’re diving. Big rivers, southern lakes and sloughs are where to find them.
Great video! I grew up goin on the meramec. Floated it for many years! Esp out of the outfitters, huzzah valley, and bass canoe plus out on my own boats over the years. My favorite memory was with my ex on a float in ‘98 we put in up by the springs. I snorkeled up i to the springs below the falls and found a rod n reel, a bottle of trout “eggs” and a net! Saw some baby trout wondering through the shallows. Surprised to see the suatch sign! Glad they finally are recognizing our brother of the woods.
Been boating the Merimac for 50 years. It only nearly killed me twice! I waded across a shallow, quiet section one day and in 5 ft. Of water, it grabbed me and held me under. I could raise my arm out of the water but could not surface. Suddenly let me go!
Woe, you are lucky. My daughter got trapped under a canoe once and scared me silly. You do have to be aware that something can happen in an instant. Thanks for the comment.
Your so darn lucky you got to see an alligator snapper in the wild like that. Ive floated the whole mermac some sections many times and I’ve never seen one :(
Sasquatches don't actually bluff charge. They are just trying to convert you to the metric system. They work closely with the old turtles without much success suffering from a lack of funding and visibility.`
Love it. I live near Castlewood State Park and spent a lot of my youth there swimming and jumping off of the rope swings that would randomly appear in the 1980s. Many of the drownings sadly were people who could not swim at all venturing too far out. I don't know if I'd call it safe but discretion goes a long way.
