Today, before we came home, we went tubing at the Ichetucknee Springs State Park. As my SIL C. put it, it was a “lovely lazy two hour float” down a cold, spring-fed river. We saw lots of turtles and water flowers.
Even though the current just sort of carried me along, I was able to change my orientation and speed by paddling and kicking to change how I was facing, and by moving near the river banks to go slower slower or in the center for more speed. It was also fun dodging obstacles like fallen trees and the knees on bald cypress. The Kid was strapped into a life vest, so he could tube safely and his mom could be worry free.
Overall, the visit to the in-laws was really nice. My father-in-law’s health is not good, but he seemed happy to see us (especially The Kid.) Balding Nephew’s Beautiful Wife is expecting baby #2 any day now, but could not manage to get her act together to deliver said baby while we were there. Perhaps if she had gone tubing with us it would have expedited matters.
Used to do tubing down the Salt River when we were in Phoenix. Always had extra tubes - usually a cooler apiece full of cold drinks to keep you hydrated on the way down. And snacks for the kids.