do as the Idahoans.” And that would mean ‘floating the river’. I don’t really think it matters what river. We’ve got lots of choices around here but since we’re only 2 miles from the Boise River, that was our river of choice on Saturday. Since we don’t own a single piece of floating equipment yet, we called on some good friends who used to own a river rafting company. They generously loaned us:
- A raft
- Some paddles
- A trailer to tow the raft
- A few life vests
- A dry bag with Band-Aids (which came in handy)
- One of their children with rafting experience
- And some valuable advice, some of which we took and some of which we foolishly left behind. (see below)
After dropping off a second vehicle at the ‘take out’ spot, we motored around until we found the right ‘put in’ spot and successfully unloaded the raft and the kids. We trudged through the brush, put in the raft, towels, camera in the dry bag with the Band-Aids, paddles, and the kids and pushed off into the wild waters.
Note the thrill of the adventure and the enthusiasm of being out in the beauty of nature…
Until a wrong move resulted in a gash on the right knee of said passenger. Thus the need for the Band-Aids.
Note more thrill and enthusiasm. So much so that this one even hopped out into the river on his own.
Maddy with our resident river expert.
I also exuded thrill and enthusiasm…except when I was
Trying to keep Little Will IN the raft.
Despite the looks on some faces (due more to an aversion to pictures than to rafting) all in all, a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
Note to self (or more specifically to Ralf). Next time:
- Don’t dismiss the advice to bring the pump with us in the raft. We (he) didn’t fully appreciate the science of hot air inside a raft on a hot summer day hitting the cold water of the Boise water. You know, hot air expands and cold air contracts. A nice and tight raft at the beginning vs. a limp and soggy vessel at the end.
- Clean, dry towels should be left at the ‘take out’ area instead of coming in the raft with us and becoming water logged, heavy baggage in a gravity challenged raft.
- Don’t forget the Band-Aids. With 5 kids, always a good rule no matter where you go.
- Three adults are needed after the trip. Two to pick up the second vehicle and trailer, and one to stay with the kids. Unless you want to leave all kids alone with the raft and 3 whiskey loving strangers looking to shoot beavers passing by in the river.
