We will be exhibiting at the St. Louis Science Center Eco Fair this Saturday and Sunday 10-4.  Stop by and meet us, the fair is free!  We will be in the Exploradome movie room with the Open Space Council booth.

Eco Expo at the Saint Louis Science Center

Saturday 4/18 and Sunday 4/19

10am - 4pm

The Eco Expo is a two-day event designed to expose the general public to sustainability (green issues), and to give attendees access to products, services and experts that/who can help them achieve more sustainable lives.

The Expo will feature categories such as recycling, building & construction, water, children’s area, food, energy, home and transportation. Within each area, exhibitors will offer the public ideas, samples and teach topics pertaining to sustainability.

Free to the public.
This event is sponsored by Missouri Botanical Garden.

Earlier this spring, the Open Space Council debuted the documentary film Meramec River: Miracles and Milestones at the Sheldon Theater. The film lays out the amazing arc the River has made in the last century; from popular Saint Louis resort area, to being neglected and abused, almost being dammed, and finally to the citizen led restoration effort that has brought the river back into tip-top shape today. The film emphasizes the tremendous value of the Meramec as a natural oasis within an hour’s drive of six million people. Here is an excerpt from the film, reproduced with permission.

The annual Operation Clean Stream will be held Saturday August 23, 2008. In celebration of this special event, throughout the month of August we will be running a special promotion. All floaters 15 years and younger who collect at least 1 orange mesh trash sack full of litter from the Meramec River and its banks will receive a “Missouri Stream Team” iron-on embroidered patch FREE! This will look cool on your shirt or hat.

Call or email us soon to reserve your float time during August - 314-255-7091.

From the Open Space Council website:

What is Operation Clean Stream?

Founded in 1967, OPERATION CLEAN STREAM is one of America’s longest and largest ongoing river Read the rest

Don Corrigan who writes for the Webster-Kirkwood and South County Times has an excellent commentary on the Meramec, including some history of the Meramec as a popular getaway. Click here for more.

Last weekend, we got drenched with almost 4 inches of rain. But the good news is the river is forecasted to be back down to normal by this weekend.

We cant control the weather. But we do have a rain-out policy so you don’t have to worry about the weather on your trip. Click on Rates and Policies for more information.

Please leave us your float trip stories and experiences.

1. Download the waiver and fill it out before the float

2. Arrive on time

3. Dress appropriately to the weather conditions

4. Protect yourself from the sun - wear a wide brim hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses

5. Have a strap to hold your glasses on

6. Wear old tennis shoes or water shoes to protect your tender feet

7. Bring a gallon size ziploc bag or watertight container to keep valuables dry

8. Bring plenty of non-alcoholic drinks to keep yourself hydrated

9. If you are of legal drinking age and chose to do so, do it in moderation

10. Take along a lunch and/or snacks

11. Schedule your float trips with Forest 44 early and often. Have Fun!

Welcome back to Forest 44 Canoe Rental, the closest float trips to St. Louis.

We’re all set to resume daily full-service float trips on May 1st. We’ve also updated our float trip times, please see the float trip page for all the news.

If you are setting up a group trip for this summer, call or email us now to reserve your spot!

The last day of September turned out to be an ideal day for floating the river with friends. Temperatures reached the mid 80s, the water was cool; perfect for swimming. We put in at Pacific Palisades and took out at Allenton. In between there was swimming, some playful waterfights happened, and we took a few turns on a rope swing we found. It was the first float trip for a few in our group. Some leaves were just starting to turn red and orange. We expect the fall colors should be really great in a couple weeks. Here are some scenes from the river this past weekend:

This was observed on the water last week. Can you guess what it is?

Thanks for visiting Forest 44 Canoe Rental, your one-stop solution to your next river adventure float trip on the Meramec River Greenway near St Louis, Missouri.

We’re 35 minutes from downtown St. Louis. Float with us and you can be home in time for dinner!

For reservations, please call STEVE at (314) 255 - 7091 or email us from the contact us page.

And be sure to come back and leave us your stories and experiences to be featured right here.

Sincerely,

Steve and Ben Hoffmann, father and son team

We’re a member of the Missouri Canoe and Floaters Association