Elizabeth

Saturday the second of July was hot and it was Paul’s birthday so after much deliberation, we decided to set aside the golf game and go on a three-hour tube float down the New River in Todd, North Carolina.

The New River in this area is slow, sedate and the prefect place to let your troubles wash away.  Rarely more than a few feet deep, our lazy river’s riffles and runs are more likely to bump your bottom than to test your white water prowess.  So, armed with sunscreen, water and our sense of adventure; we 4 (Elizabeth, Paul, Mary and I) began our adventure.

Elizabeth & Paul

Our friend Kelly at River Girl Fishing Company took us up the river to a launch point a mile or so above the high water bridge at Big Hill and River Roads.  Lesson one – placing one’s posterior in a tube and plopping into the river is a chilling experience – the air was in the 80’s but the water was considerably cooler.  Refreshing and eye-opening, we were off!

Taming the roaring New River.

Shortly into the journey, we lashed all 4 tubes together for safety and convenience and began figuring out how to navigate the raging torrent!  As you can see from the photo, we were barely able to keep from being washed overboard.

Working hard

Mary was particularly stressed in keeping our vessel on course and had to regularly drag bottom to keep us on aimed correctly.  Along our journey were a family of wood ducks, a great blue heron and numerous other attractions to calm the mind and soul.

Nearly 4 hours after our adventure began, we landed in Todd tired and famished.  A visit to Emily’s bakery on the way home cured the hunger and a quiet evening on the deck eased the tired.

What a wonderful way to pass a lazy July afternoon.

 More Photos