Tubing on the 4th

Mother Nature has been throwing her fury out in full force recently in the form of blizzards and bone-chilling negative temps. I thought I would share some pictures from one of her better days!

On the 4th of July we had a family gathering at Aunt Joyce and Uncle Ed's. One of the highlights was a leisure float down the river. There were a LOT of us floating that day, both young and old.

I would like to note here that Joe and Matt were not too keen on tubing for they didn't want to get wet. So they opted to stay dry and maneuver the canoe downriver. Notice both of them optimistically fully-dressed.


Here is a shot of most of us getting ready to launch. Deb, Mom, Colby, Annie.

I have a broom to use as a paddle. It really didn't help me much as I missed the bank at spot we were supposed to get out. Almost tragic ending...

More cousins getting into their canoe. These three were pretty good with the paddles. They ended up towing some of the tubes.

Here is mom really enjoying the ride.

Here is Annie, also enjoying the ride.

Here is a shot of the Joe, Uncle Ed, and Matt going through the rapids in the canoe. Uncle Ed was the experienced oarsman. He was trying to coach Joe and Matt, obvious rookies, on the finer points of not tipping a canoe.

Lincoln and Zach are in this picture too on the tubes.

Needless to say, the following picture was a common scene on the river that day - the canoe upturned and the two cowboys (fully dressed) completely soaked.

After about the third time the canoe flipped, Uncle Ed decided to walk the bank for the last mile or so to stave off impending hypothermia.

Just when they were getting the hang of it!!!