River Dayz

Last Tuesday, Diana and I had a chance to "float the river" with the SIX10 youth at our church. After a 2.5 hour drive and a stop at Bucee's, we arrived at Corner Tubes and the Prince Solms Park in New Braunfels, TX. From here we had access to the Tube Chute and were able to float the Comal River. Once we lathered on the sunscreen, got our wristbands and found the perfect tube, we hit the tube chute. A quick walk through the park brings you to some steps to help you enter the water. The Comal River is spring-fed and thus quite cold, even though it was in the 90s outside, so it is best to just jump in before getting on your tube.

After an hour on the chute, we gathered together for lunch consisting of turkey and ham on bread (no condiments), chips, cookies and water. About 1:30, we hit the river again, ready for the 1.5 to 2 hour float down the river. Overall the river flows pretty slowly, with a couple of mini-chutes and rapids, so you get plenty of time to discuss life and other important matters. Of course, you are floating with dozens of other people (it was packed, on a Tuesday) all around you with their coolers and their dogs (why they would do that I don't know). The hot sun and the cold water were the perfect mix for just sitting there, although the tubes themselves (they were black) would get really hot, so it was good to periodically get out and get the tube wet. Funny Story: On one such occasion, I jumped back on to my tube and got a serious cramp in the calf. I am writhing in pain on my tube, trying to massage it out, while my ever-so-helpful fellow floaters just laugh at me. I eventually got off the tube and was able to "walk" it out, feeling much better, but did get a few concerned looks for some nearby tubers.

After our float, some of the kids went again, but Diana, Elisabeth and I decided to do the chute a few times. Elisabeth had not had much chance to relax on the float because she had been surrounded by teenagers, who can't seem to sit still. Imagine that! So, we did the mini-float (15 minutes w/o paddling) to the chute a few times. I did try going through the chute without a tube, which was quite fun, but certainly rougher and a bit dangerous, particularly with so many people around.

Once we got everyone rounded up, we headed to Rudy's BarBQ for dinner. I guess that they have one in Houston, but we had never been. It was some great BBQ and we had the best check-out dude who gave us samples and explained the whole process. They have sandwiches and sides, but you can just buy cooked meat by weight, as much as you want. It was pretty cool and really good. Going to have to check it out again. As well as floating the river, which was a blast, particularly with a bigger group.

PS. See more pictures from the trip on Facebook.