Splish, Splash:
A Beginner's Guide to Water Adventures

Vacations and water go together like beaches and suntan lotion. But there are many ways to enjoy getting wet other than splashing in the ocean's waves. They can be as gentle as floating down a quiet creek or as challenging as riding the flood tide of a canyon's rapids - and many things in between. Here are some suggestions for getting wet, while enjoying every drop!

TUBING: Imaging drifting down a tree-shaded river, listening to bird songs, the rustle of leaves, and the gurgle of the water. No boom-box stereo music disturbs the peace, no motors or navigation maps require attention. The most strenuous activity is pulling a cooler closer to fetch a snack or cold drink.

Think of tubing as river travel for the aquatically challenged. The basic gear is an oversized inner tub and sunscreen. Some people wear bathing suits, while others opt for cutoffs and t-shirts. Bare feet or flip-flops are not a good idea, however. They don't provide enough protection from rocks and shore debris. Wear sneakers, not running shoes; those are too heavy.

Most campgrounds know the nearby tubing spots. Some of them have their own tubing program, while others point campers toward outfitters with organized tubing trips or public 'mass launches."

Some tubing excursions are special. There's a four-mile float down the James River in Virginia, past some of the finest antebellum mansions in the state. George Washington never traveled like this!

The Salt River float, near Phoenix, passes impressive stands of desert cacti as it drifts through the Tonto National Forest.

In Florida, try the Ichetucknee Springs State Park, about three hours from Orlando. It's especially nice because there are tight limits on the number of people on the river. The park assures tubers that there are no snakes in the river and that alligators are removed by staff.

What do savvy tubers bring with them? A basic checklist includes sunblock and lip gloss with a rating of at least 15; sunglasses and a hat - there's more glare on the water than most people realize, even when the river is protected by a canopy of trees; a waterproof, sealable plastic bag with a large safety pin for stashing and attaching car keys, wallets, and similar things if there's no secure place to leave them at the campground or put-in spot. Floatable coolers with hinged lids are better than those with removable tops, and make sure they are plastic, not Styrofoam™. Bring a rope to tether the cooler to the tube. And don't forget a waterproof camera to record the day.

RAFTING: This can be one small notch up from tubing or a whole different plane of existence. For many people, rafting means 'white water,' that exhilarating, sometimes terrifying, ride over - and sometimes through - river rapids.

Most rafting does include some rapids. But most trips are designed for beginners, so the roughness is not much more than going over a bumpy road. Getting wet? Count on it. Blue jeans are definitely not the wardrobe of choice. Wet denim is heavy and dries slowly.

Typical of the rafting rides is the one offered in Cody, WY. The river curves behind the town, so it's easy to reach. But it's also far enough from the houses and shops to create the feeling of exploring the remote western frontier.

The guide tells passengers when to stroke and how hard. For most of the trip, the strong, but smooth, current powers the rafts. The guides point out rock formations and interesting plant life. They're also amused at the two male antelope that appear on the same spot on the bank nearly every day, posing for photos as the rafts bob by.

The trip rolls over several sets of rapids, none of which threaten to overturn the rafts, but which guarantee a dousing. The river is also wide and placid enough for the guide to adjust the trip to the comfort level of the passengers.

At the other end of the excitement scale is the ride down the Colorado River during spring runoff. Cataract Canyon is on the 'top ten' list of any serious rapid addict.

Those trips can only be safely arranged and run by professional outfitters, many of whom set up shop in Moab, Utah - the closest civilized spot. The trips take a couple of days, camping out in the incredible Canyonlands National Park, riding some minor rapids to get used to the idea, and ending in the incredible rush through the final three rapids - Cataract Canyon.

Once the adrenaline stops pumping, the rafters camp overnight in a quiet canyon, then motor their way to Lake Powell, a day-long cruise along waters so smooth and calm that the rumble of the rapids echo faintly in the distance.

CANOEING AND KAYAKING: For anyone who went to summer camp, canoes are old friends. The rhythm of paddling is never forgotten. It returns to someone who hasn't squatted in a canoe in years as easily as remembering how to ride a bicycle.

Kayaking is the more trendy paddle sport. The sturdy boats in bright colors are easy to handle. Many people find propelling a kayak is easier than canoeing. The paddling strokes are a little different, but within a few minutes, even a raw beginner scoots across the surface like a water bug. Both canoes and kayaks are designed for stability. It takes concentrated effort to tip them over.

The best canoeing and kayaking is on lakes, ponds, and dependably placid rivers and creeks. They are quiet modes of transportation and exploration. A sunrise trip in the woods almost guarantees sightings of deer, 'gators, turtles, antelope, or moose - depending on where the river flows. Middays are right for loading in a picnic and putting in at a suitable spot along the shore. And twilight paddles are a tonic after a day's activity.

Wherever your RV is parked, there's a way to water. Try one of them and discover how much it adds to the trip.

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