Skip and Angie sent me this picture. This fish was caught and released Dec. 23 out of Bull Shoals Lake. It weighed 8+ pounds! I haven't talked to them to find out all the details, but I thought I'd post the pic anyway. Fishing has been good lately. I hear they're catching bass and crappie. The weather is beautiful again today. Sunny and supposed to hit 60 degrees. I can handle this "winter" weather.

It's Christmas Day!

Merry Christmas, everyone! I hope your day is filled with family and friends and fun and joy! (And fudge.) It's a beautiful day in P-town. Sunny and mild. We're supposed to have unseasonably warm temperatures tomorrow and a chance of severe weather. We'll take the warm temps. But, strong winds and tornadoes... no thanks. I'll keep you posted.

Have a glorious day!

Weather Report

The weather has been gray and cold and ugly here today. The day started out with a glaze of ice on the roads. It was pretty slick until the salt trucks got out and about about mid-morning. This afternoon we had a couple of downpours, but by then the temp had gotten up above freezing, so luckily it was just rain, and not ice. I think there's a chance of a wintry mix in the morning, but by afternoon it's supposed to warm up and then be in the 40s the rest of the week. Good news for folks traveling this way or heading out of town for Christmas. Speaking of, the dock will be closed on Thursday. We will be around Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning from 8 to 10 a.m. We'll also be closed next Thursday for New Year's Day. Happy holidays, everyone! Cheers!

For Your Information

So, we were supposed to have the annual Missouri-Arkansas Marina Owners Association (a.k.a. MAMA) meeting in Harrison, Ark. today, but an apparent ice storm in Little Rock made it too difficult for the colonel and other officials from the Little Rock Corps office to get up here. So, it was postponed until sometime in January. I usually try to report back to you all about what is discussed at the meeting after it happens, and I will do that once this one is rescheduled.

In the meantime, I thought I'd tell you a little bit about why we have this meeting. Basically it's our once-a-year chance to talk to the colonel face-to-face, as a group, about issues we feel are important. For example, last year the primary topic was the encapsulated foam issue. I am sure most of you are aware of the encapsulated foam policy that was signed and sent out by the outgoing colonel last year. The policy stated that within 10 years all commercial and private docks must be completely converted to encapsulated foam. Encapsulated foam isn't cheap, and many dock owners feared it would put them out of business. Yikes. A lot of dock owners were not happy about that little farewell. So, at last year's meeting we shared our concerns with the new colonel, and that resulted in a new policy being written - one that was much more reasonable and one we could all live with.

We also discussed the Corps implementing a policy that would regulate recreational activities inside commercial zones - the idea being that such a policy would promote safety and also help protect docks and the boats and personal property within them. That policy actually took effect earlier this fall. What does this mean to you? Well, it means the Corps now prohibits swimming, fishing, scuba diving, etc. within commercial zones - a.k.a. the PCM cove and other marina coves on the lake. For years, we at PCM have posted signs warning against the dangers of swimming and fishing from or near the docks, as we have underwater fuel and electric lines running all over the place. So, really this is nothing new. It's now just an official Corps policy, and the Corps will be the ones enforcing it.

Questions? Ask me, and I'll try to answer them!

This is for you, Buck

Hey everyone. So, I know I haven't been very good lately about updating the blog. It's just difficult sometimes to come up with any news! But, I promise to be better about writing something... anything... more frequently for those of you (like Buck) who check this every day. :)

Just 10 days 'til Christmas. Are you done shopping?

Happy Monday!

654.0

It's official. We are now at normal pool! I'll try to take some pics and post them later... in case you forgot what this looks like! I heard on the radio yesterday that predictions for this winter are warmer than usual, but wetter. Sheesh.

Normal pool one week from today?

Today the lake level is 657.6. The forecast shows B.S. at normal pool by Wednesday, Dec. 3 - one week from today and almost exactly nine months to the day since the lake started going up. If you go back and read the post I wrote on March 4, you'll see a picture of the lake just starting to cross the lower road - much like the picture I took today. (Sorry this isn't the greatest pic - I didn't have my camera, so I took it with my phone.)

We should be able to re-open the lower road sometime next week after we wash it off and adjust cables. Until then, please do not attempt to drive around the blue truck on the lower road. Sorry for any inconvenience this weekend.

Remember, we'll be closed tomorrow for the holiday. Open from 8 to 4 Fri, Sat, Sun. Winter hours (8 to 10) start Monday. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

One week 'til turkey day

It's quiet and chilly here today. And I don't have much to report. I do want to give you a heads up that we will be closed next Thursday for Thanksgiving. However, we will be open from 8 to 4 Friday, Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving. Starting Dec. 1 our official winter office hours will be 8 to 10 a.m. (Such a hard life.) We do have several projects planned this winter, so even after Dec. 1 we'll likely be around throughout the day. The lake is almost back to normal now. Less than 7 feet to go.

VFD Hunter's Dinner this Saturday

The Pontiac/Price Place Volunteer Fire Department is hosting its annual Hunter's Dinner at 5 p.m. this Saturday at Station #1. Cost is $6 for adults; $3 for kids younger than 10. The menu includes turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes, green beans, cranberry relish, rolls, dessert, coffee and tea. You can get meals to go if you'd like to pick up food to take home to your friends or family.

Closing at 4:00 today...

Ok, so we were planning to start closing at 4 tomorrow (Sunday), but it's just so chilly and yucky out today, and there are so few people around, that I'm going to close at 4 today. So, from now through the end of November we'll be open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Just FYI!

The Right Way

This morning, for the first time in MONTHS, I made the complete circle around the park! We still have cable issues, so you'll notice when you drive around the corner that the blue PCM truck is parked in the middle of the road. You can drive around it; just please use a little caution. Also, for those of you who don't know, the 800 dock is now connected to the shore, so you can park over in your usual spot again. Happy Friday!

The End of an Era

It's been a long journey. One that unfortunately came to an end today. This morning, we took down what we've all come to know as "the beaver tree." Between the high water and the beaver's incessant sawing, the tree did not survive. We believe it died about a month ago. And with the strong winds we've had lately, we were concerned that it could fall and hurt someone or cause damage to the dock or someone's vehicle.

Many of you have followed the beaver story all year, but what you may not realize is that the big, beautiful cottonwood was as old as the lake. Tim remembers when it was "just a little bitty thing" back in the '60s. But despite it's modest size back then, it was always in the way, he says. Years ago the docks were laid out differently, and during high water conditions they had to split the dock, push it past the tree and reconnect it between the shore and the tree. Numerous times they considered cutting it down. But for whatever reason, they never did.

He can remember twice it was struck by lighting - once about 20 years ago. That summer there were bad storms on three out of four consecutive Fridays. When the lightning hit the tree, Tim was in an aluminum boat pulling a steel cable across the cove. (Talk about a death trap.) Doc Klayman was also on the dock that day. He says it split the tree right down the middle, and fire was shooting out the top. Everyone thought for sure the tree would die after that, but it survived! As the tree continued to grow, the shade it provided also grew - Phil Peters and Roger Long always liked to park near the tree for that very reason.

I was sad to see it fall this morning. I know some of you probably are, too. Today, when Doc came in from fishing and saw it lying across the road, he said, "It's the end of an era." And he's right. It certainly looks different out there without that tree, and it's going to take some getting used to. We're planning to save a log from the base of the tree to make a bench, so we can enjoy a little piece of it forever and ever.

I guess in the end the beaver won. Or did he? Wouldn't you like to see his face tonight when he comes out and finds nothing left of his little masterpiece... but a stump? SURPRISE!

New Hours

Starting this Sunday, Nov. 9, we will be closing at 4 p.m. Our hours will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through the end of November. We'll cut back even more starting Dec. 1. I'll keep you posted as we near the end of the month.

Happy Halloween! (a day early)

If you happen to be in Pontiac this weekend (or if you're just looking for an excuse to go to the lake) Just Jackie's is having a Halloween party Friday night. Costumes are encouraged, but obviously not mandatory. Tom Cline, Mike MacPherson and the rest of REVOLVER will be there playing live music for your entertainment - and it's their last show of the season.

Besides that, it's supposed to be a gorgeous weekend in Pontiac. Sunny and mid-70s! You better take advantage of a good fall lake weekend, because you know Missouri weather can change overnight! (Brrrr... I don't even want to think about it.)

So, head to the lake this Halloween weekend... if you DARE.

Signs of Fall

Here are a few fall pics from P-Town. The colors aren't as brilliant as usual, but the scenery is still pretty to look at. Enjoy.

Check it out!

The lake level is about 673 now (still 19 feet above normal), and the top road is almost completely out of the water. However, if you head down to the dock in the near future please go down the "wrong" way for now. You'll notice we have the road blocked off by the launch ramp, so you can't actually drive the full circle yet - that's because there is a cable going across the road that we don't want anyone driving on for now. Thanks for your cooperation!

Update: Stamp Sales

I spoke to Micky Iseminger (Pontiac postmaster) this morning, and as of today she has sold 278 sheets of breast cancer awareness stamps! Her goal was to sell 140 by Oct. 31. Even though she has surpassed that mark, she still has more sheets if you want to purchase some. Remember, 13 cents from each stamp (or $2.60 per sheet) goes to breast cancer awareness. This Friday (Oct. 31) she'll serve pink cake and punch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Pontiac Post Office. She'll be drawing for a $20 gift certificate to Just Jackie's, plus other items. Call 417-679-3440 for more info.

New Access to Main Dock...

The lake is really dropping now! We're getting close to having the top road out of the water... Today the guys moved the main walkway, so you can now drive down the road in front of the bathrooms, park, and walk on the dock. I took more pictures and I will post them shortly.

R & M at PCM

In an effort to strengthen the connection between the main office and the 200 dock, the guys (Josh, Matt and Tim) have been working behind the office this week on installing new braces that will hold the two docks together. Earlier this year, strong winds caused some damage to the end of the 200 dock closest to the main office. That wasn't the first time that had happened -- it's a weak spot. Hopefully these new braces will solve that problem, so the next time the wind blows it won't happen again. Better yet, let's hope we don't have any strong winds blow through for a while. ;)

I Spy #5

This is probably too easy... but I thought since it's been a while I'd give you a freebie. :) Good luck!