Toobin’

Now that summer is pretty much here in Austin–only a few rare May days requiring a sweatshirt remain–plenty of Austinites will head south to the river(s) to float the Guadalupe or Comal from Gruene, New Braunfels, San Marcos, or one of the little other towns.

I think the average float trip goes something like this: plan to leave early-ish in the morning, head to the store for beer/water/ice/snacks, take too long, finally get on the road (Southbound 35, thanks Pat Green), arrive at Rockin’ R, rent toobs, finally get on the river. I’ve also done it once from some RV campsite, but I wasn’t driving so I have no idea where it was.

This past weekend, however, I took a new type of tube trip. My friends and I headed to Guadalupe Canoe‘s spot on the Guadalupe River in Spring Branch, Texas for a night of camping. We awoke in the morning, played some Polish Horseshoes, then headed out on the river. From our spot, it was a slow, lazy 2-mile float that took almost 4 hours. It was a less-crowded section of the Guadalupe, and there were more locals than usual–though that may be the time of year as much as the place. It was different than most of the float trips I’ve taken, more laid-back, less interaction with other toobers, but very fun.

COOL IDEA: Whitewater on the Horseshoe is a live music venue I’ve been wanting to try since it opened last year. Concept: concerts on the banks of the Guadalupe. The concert series is called Whitewater Rocks, and the combo of a day of floating and a night of live music is just too good for us to miss! Most of the artists are Texas Country, but Ghostland Observatory, the Spazmatics, and Blue October are all making appearances this year. Other artists include Del Castillo, Robert Earl Keene, Randy Rogers, The Gourds, Cowboy Mouth, Stoney LaRue, Wade Bowen, Walt Wilkins, Subdudes, Will Hoge, and more.

Sometime this summer, I’d like to make it to Whitewater Rocks! But until then, I’m totally content going the usual route. And I think everyone should try the camp/toob combo, it was perfect!