Tube Adventures.

Well, it appears that the major 'summer thing to do' here in New Braunfels is 'tube the river'.  Basically, you throw on your swimsuit, slather on sunscreen, grab some cold beverages and your tube, catch the river current and float downstream.  All in all, a 'lazy river' in a real river, with fish and everything.

Here's a picture example: 

My mom and I decided to give it a try.  It wasn't at all crowded.  It looks like that picture on the weekends, but not weekdays.

First off, so much fun.  The next best thing to the beach. 

I bought a nice $20 tube (from the grocery store, hehe).  Catching the first current was so fun, as it shoots you off into the river. 

Typically you pick the designated 'public river exits' to get out of the river and either walk to your car (or start your tube adventure again), or the free 'tube' buses will come and pick you up and drive you to central drop off spots. 

I caught the current at a much faster pace than my mom did, so she was quite a ways behind me.  I paddled toward the shallow side of the shore, only to get stuck in the rocks.  She finally caught up with me, and the same thing happened to her.  We got out of our tubes to discover a new river must:  wear water shoes.  The rocks were so sharp, and slippery, and you fight against the current to steady yourself to get back on the tube.  At last, we were back on track, after some stubbed toes and tumbles. 

We came to the 'last public exit' sign, and decided to get off and walk back.  I was stuck in a current away from the exit side, and decided to get out of the tube and walk across.  I put my flipflops on to help against the rocks, and edged my way off the tube, which is relatively large.  The river is, after all, waist deep...

Not.

I slid off the stupid tube in what was probably the deepest part of the whole stinkin' river.  I went all the way under, and instictively opened my eyes to get my bearing.  I'm tall, and even sinking completely under the water, I still could NOT feel the bottom.  My first thought was 'oh my gosh, I just fell into the river!'  My second thought was 'Eeeewww, I just fell into the river!'  And then 'My eyes are burning!'  I surfaced and my mom was on the shore laughing hysterically.  Thanks.  All of a sudden, I saw my shoes floating downstream, and my tube had been caught in a current going upstream.  I swam after my shoes, grabbed them, and swam after the tube. 

Swimming against a river current?  Not so fun. 

All that to say, we walked about a half mile to the car, put my mom's tube in the trunk, and tied my tube to the roof.

And that is how I lost my awesome $20 river tube after it's maiden voyage.  It was secured, but a gust of wind took it on a busy road, where it met the front tire of a large pick up truck, and got stuck.  The fellow in the truck was very nice and apologetic, as were we. 

Lessons learned:
1.  Wear swim shoes.
2.  If you see the rocks really clearly at the bottom of the river, you have entered a very shallow point.  You will get stuck.
3.  If you don't see any rocks at all, don't try to get off your tube.  You will be submerged into murky darkness.
4.  If you are going to tie a tube to the top of your car, triple tie it. 
5.  If the man who runs over your tube is cute, and in a doctor's uniform, don't be an embarrassed chicken like me.  Get out and say hello.
(I'm just saying).


The End.