Have you ever done anything so memorable that it stuck with you for decades? That's what happened to me when I canoed the Eleven Point River in Missouri. Looking back I can easily say that it's one of the best highlights of my life.

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If you're not familiar with it, the Eleven Point River is located in extreme southern Missouri. My dad and I canoed 19 miles of it twice when I was younger. Once was with our Boy Scout troop and the other was just him and me.

Infographic, US Forest Service
Infographic, US Forest Service
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What's so special about canoeing the Eleven Point River in Missouri?

The route is full of a wide variety of sights. Some are narrow with trees you have to duck under.

magicianword via YouTube
magicianword via YouTube
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Then there are a wide variety of open areas where you can see for what looks like miles.

magicianword via YouTube
magicianword via YouTube
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There are also two very specific areas where the rapids are really challenging. One is near the end of the route where I recall a very big rock that the rapids seem to draw you toward.

magicianword via YouTube
magicianword via YouTube
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The first time my dad and I canoed the Eleven Point, we flipped big time when we didn't navigate the rapids and the nearby rock correctly.

magicianword via YouTube
magicianword via YouTube
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I've been very fortunate to do a lot of fun things in my life. Still, near the top of the list are the two float trips my dad and I took on the Eleven Point River. If you ever get the opportunity, I can't recommend it highly enough.

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