This Is Not Good (Branson, California: rental, motels, home)

[Hillman]

Usually if its Hot and the Rivers in good Floating shape all the Canoe Outfitters would be very busy.Normal weekend NRO the Largest Outfitter would be putting out 600 Canoes.Yesterday they only put out 200.

This has got to get better.This is Big Business with Tourist here.This is really cheap weekend for people to have fun.After Gas to come down it would only run a couple about a $100 for a place to Camp and a Canoe.

I can't imagine what Branson is going through.We spent a $1,000 down there fo a cheap trip that amounted to Camping and a couple shows.

hillman

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by Hillman

Usually if its Hot and the Rivers in good Floating shape all the Canoe Outfitters would be very busy.Normal weekend NRO the Largest Outfitter would be putting out 600 Canoes.Yesterday they only put out 200.

This has got to get better.This is Big Business with Tourist here.This is really cheap weekend for people to have fun.After Gas to come down it would only run a couple about a $100 for a place to Camp and a Canoe.

I can't imagine what Branson is going through.We spent a $1,000 down there fo a cheap trip that amounted to Camping and a couple shows.

hillman

Welcome to the new economy, Hillman. More and more people are spending only on bare essentials and many others are taking "staycations" -- sticking close to home and getting to know and appreciate their own communities more. These fiscal times are a struggle for everyone, businesses included. It's becoming a matter of Darwin's "survivasl of the fittest!"

I hope things pick up for everyone.

[OA 5599]

I'm kind of surprised to hear that. I went on the Buffalo down in Arkansas last week, and there were a lot of canoes on the river even on a Wednesday. Some friends went on the upper Current not too long ago and said it was packed too.

While only 200 canoes may be bad for business, I've been on the Niangua on a 600-canoe weekend before (rented from NRO too), and the whole river was a packed, drunken mess. Not very outdoorsy, or family-friendly for the families I saw floating. 2/3 less canoes would make it much more enjoyable for the people who were on the river yesterday. The recession is bittersweet in some ways.

[Hillman]

Originally Posted by OA 5599

I'm kind of surprised to hear that. I went on the Buffalo down in Arkansas last week, and there were a lot of canoes on the river even on a Wednesday. Some friends went on the upper Current not too long ago and said it was packed too.

While only 200 canoes may be bad for business, I've been on the Niangua on a 600-canoe weekend before (rented from NRO too), and the whole river was a packed, drunken mess. Not very outdoorsy, or family-friendly for the families I saw floating. 2/3 less canoes would make it much more enjoyable for the people who were on the river yesterday. The recession is bittersweet in some ways.

Well it might be with the crack down on Drinking and Drugs alot of people are staying away.Bennett is not letting any of their Floaters take any Alcohol on floats which I'm sure is pushing more people to other Outfitters.

But I'm getting my information from my Son that works for two Outfitters so he should know what he is talking about.We have been seeing less people in the Local Motels too.

Last year was slow with water being so high at the wrong times.Less people were buying Permits in the Park so Less Trout are released this year.

It all has a Domino effect on the economy around here.

hillman

[Nu2pomona]

Week ago last Saturday we went to a wedding at Sunburst Ranch and their campgrounds were packed. I don't know how they could have gotten any more tents, RVs, etc. on to the grounds. All of their cabins were also taken.

This past Friday morning I paid a brief visit (30 minutes) to Blue Spring (Hammond Park). In that time I saw at least a dozen kayaks/canoes from Twin Bridges rental go past. Remember, this is on a weeek day.

There were about four canoe ferry vehicles in the parking area up top.

Since I have nothing to compare it to, I can't say if that is up or down from years before.

Maybe more locals will visit these spots on their "staycations" and help make up for those folks not traveling.

[kshe95girl]

Gonna be floating Current River from Van Buren in august, hate to hear about the business being down, cant wait to be home, though.

[firebll31]

We floated the James River at Galena MO last weekend, and saw more canoes than ever before, despite the uncertain weather. I'm guessing the no-alcohol clause is severely hurting business, as most floaters have an ample supply of beer on board. As a kayaker, you don't have a choice-there's no one else to paddle if you get snockered!

[christina0001]

I hate when it's crowded. If it's not, this might be the best time to go.

[MoNative34]

Originally Posted by Hillman

Bennett is not letting any of their Floaters take any Alcohol on floats which I'm sure is pushing more people to other Outfitters.

Let's see how long they stay in business after that nonsense.

[northbayeric]

Originally Posted by MoNative34

Let's see how long they stay in business after that nonsense.

I wonder what their reasoning is. If they rented speedboats then I could understand why they'd prohibit booze. California's Russian River has been so drought-stricken these past three years that a Missouri float trip sounds terrific! It would seem like most floaters could drink responsibly enough to prevent an outfit from feeling like they have to ban booze altogether.