How do you pack for a river!

[dreamshark]

Thanks to the excellence of LJ connections, I've found a tubing expedition to join for tomorrow! I'm excited about it, although a little apprehensive that with the expected heat wave the Apple River will be so full of people that you could walk across on the tubers' heads.

I've done this before, but more than 20 years ago. How, exactly, do you pack for a day in the water? Bring a mesh bag to hold things like sunscreen? Should I wear my glasses and plan on slipping them into one of the floating coolers when I want to dive into the water, or leave them in the car and wear my prescription swim goggles? What about a hat? Maybe a sun visor instead of a full hat. All the drinks I wanted to bring are in glass bottles, which are not allowed. Maybe I'll make up a thermos of orange juice and vodka instead. I'm not much of a beer drinker.

So many questions. Should I bring my purse? Is it safe to leave valuables in the car? Should I ride through the rapids like a crazy teenager or walk around them like a discreet middle-aged person?

Comments

Come to my house where it is air conditioned instead!

[mmagidow.livejournal.com]

Uh oh. I think you may have a bad idea here, dear. Tubing on the Apple River is absolutely hideous, IMHO. I have done it twice. It is WAY TOO HOT to be out - no shade, water is NOT cool, very shallow. I have lost my prescriptin sunglasses twice (even using a Croakie), and they were swept away by the sudden "rapids." There are usually about 300 very drunken underage kids, who have special floating coolers for their beer, and they are throwing up on the side of the river. One kid I saw had to be airlifted by ambulance for alcohol poisoning. Add the heat to this and it sounds awful. There is no safe place to leave anything. I don't think you can walk around the rapids - they come up suddenly and there is no way to direct your tube or to get it out of the water. There is also REALLY LOUD rock music piped in at several locations. Please reconsider.

Re: Come to my house where it is air conditioned instead!

[dreamshark.livejournal.com]

But last time I went I had a wonderful time! I do seem to remember that the Cannon River was a lot shadier than the Apple, but I don't remember getting too hot because you could dive into the river anytime to cool off. Maybe the water was higher when I went than when you went. And it might be more crowded now. Other than that, I don't see why the river would have changed. You could definitely walk around the big rapids at the end, which is the one I was worrying about.

Well, we've committed to going, so I guess I'll find out. Maybe the Cannon River would have been a better choice (the time we went there, I froze my butt off and vowed to come back again when the weather was hotter).

[bchbum-98.livejournal.com]

I plan to go to the Apple River tomorrow too, although not with your group. I've been many times. Yes, there will be drunken people younger than myself, yes, some people over-indulge, yes, there will be baring of breasts, yes there will be a variety of music playing. I hope you have a splendid time.

Leave your purse locked in your car, but bring cash for the tube and car key to leave with the tube people. Put sunscreen on before you get in the river. Wear a hat or visor. Wearing glasses should be fine (I always do). Please don't bring any glass beverage containers! The rapids aren't that formidable - wear an older suit in case you snag a rock. Act how you feel - don't worry about your chronological age.

shoot the curl, kitty!

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

Rapids! Do 'em feet first, you'll be fine. I love the Apple River, and saw my first ever streakers there in 1973. So exciting.

K.

[dreamshark.livejournal.com]

Cool! From this end we're meeting at Clay's house and car-pooling. I'll send you the link to his e-invite and then you'll know everything I know!

[dreamshark.livejournal.com]

Rats. The only email address I have for you is your work email.
Clay said it was okay to bring along other people, but I feel funny posting a link and a password in an open post.

Tell you what - I'll make another LJ post, friends-locked to a group that includes only you. Check my latest posting.

[bchbum-98.livejournal.com]

I forgot to mention - wear water shoes or old sneakers in the river - else your feet will get torn up. (Flip flops won't do.) And this is important. Also, I think you might need to leave your driver's license as tube deposit. Ask the parking attendant.

[cakmpls.livejournal.com]

You'd have to pay me quite a lot of money to do this, but I hope you have a wonderful time!