Floating Down the River
If you love being at the lake as much as we do then floating down the Illinois River is inevitable!! I myself have floated down the river several times before taking Shawn and the boys. With this being the first for them we wanted to make it something to remember! We would spend the day floating down the river and after we were going camping around Tenkiller Lake.
When you get to the river you have about 5 places to chose from for your floating trip. Depending on which place you choose you have the choice of taking a 3, 6, or 12 mile trip. Being in the adventurous spirit we were in we decided to take the 12 mile trip, because well.. why not!!! We signed in, loaded unto the bus that took us to our starting point, and off we went on our journey!
When we got to drop spot the boys were ready to just swim, so we waited there for a little while to let the other travelers take off sow we could enjoy our time and not feel rushed.
After a quick swim we loaded up and headed on our way, this was a 12 mile after all and we didn't want it to take all day.
The Illinois river is an amazing river to float down. I recommend to do this trip when the river is either up or at normal levels. This trip, the river was down but just a little, there were a few place we had to get out and push the raft over the shallow area but it wasn't bad at all.
After being out there for a few hours we decided to break for lunch, and a swim.
The best part about floating with a raft over a canoe is when you get to the parts where the water is about 8 ft or so deep you can jump off the sides and swim with the current. LIFE VEST MUST BE WARN AT ALL TIMES!!
We took another break thinking we must be at least half way if not more.
How ever after we left this spot we passed a sign at a drop place saying that you now have 6 more miles to go..... we have now been out here for about 4 hours at this point.... Time to start paddling!
From this point we didn't do much stopping, we ate in the raft and if the kidos wanted out to swim they had a blast swimming on the side of the raft in areas that were safe.
We made the next 6 miles in a little over an hour. It was a crazy trip, and we vowed to never do the 12 mile again!!! We like to stop too many times and have fun, the 6 or even the 3 would be a good one to take for the next time around!
We loaded up in the car, stopped to get some extra ice and made it to our camp site. Now time to set up the tent!!
We found the best place to set up too. It was quite and really close to the water. More swim time!!
We finished the day out in the best way. With a good cook out and s'mores!!!
And of course what good campfire doesn't have your very own fire poker that you make yourself!!
After a long 12 mile float and all that goes with setting up a camp site we turned in for the night. Now normally after all that you would think that you would sleep like a baby right. Where as this is very true... sunburn sucks!! We applied sunscreen to the kids like it was a fashion statement and they were fine, however we didn't get ourselves as good. My back was a nice shade of lobster, Shawn didn't get his feet or the top of his knees, of all places. Trying to find a comfortable sleep position in a normal bed is hard when this happens... out in a tent on a sleep mattress is another question. We did get some sleep it was just a very uncomfortable night.
Morning came, and with the sound of birds chirping I was up. Now with my past camping experience (and passed down as I was told) Just because your in the woods doesn't mean you cant have a nice breakfast!! I'm talking pancakes, eggs, bacon, coffee, OJ!!
And yes its all done over a fire, just kept adding wood to kept it the same temp. Sure it take a little bet of time but I love it! Now cleaning up is a little bit of a challenge. Heating enough water so you can clean up everything.
Now because of the sunburn the two of us were suffering from. We stayed up to the mid afternoon, took one more swim, packed up and headed home.
Other than the sunburn and blisters that showed up, this was a really fun trip! We learned that 12 miles is just a little too much for us and that sunscreen is a must no matter what!!
Travel On!!!
