Floating the River. Lost. Darkness. Dead Things.
For an Average Flatlander there is one things thing that calls to use like nothing else. What you ask? A River Float of course. Is there anything else like it? What is is about floating down a quiet river that speaks to the soul and to adventure? I think it’s because you get to see what most other people don’t.
Most people don’t float rivers, most people never see the miles of shorelines, inlets, marshes, and wildlife, that someone who floats a river gets to see. You’re alone. One a few people who will probably travel that way for an entire year. Do you think you have to get lost in the most remote regions of the world to see something new and novel?
I say nay. You simply need to float a river.
And, you think you need to spend a ton of money to get a boat? How would you carry and transport that boat around? Inflatable raft my friend. They pack down, and pump up within minutes, and are sturdy, and easy to transport. They also provide more room to move around in and carry supplies than a canoe or kayak.
We used the Tobin Sports inflatable raft. You can watch the below video of us using it for a 3-hour river float. It’s thick, durable, pumps up quickly, priced right, has tons of room to move around in (2 people plus gear), the oars are attached, it has an inflatable floor and seats. Best of all, in packs down small and is easy to transport.
Floating on a quiet, beautiful river in the evening can be a magical experience. It’s the perfect time when the world is transitioning from day to night, and there’s a serene calmness in the air that feels almost ethereal.
The sun begins its descent towards the horizon, painting the sky with hues of oranges, pinks, and purples. As you sit in your kayak or on your raft, you can feel the slight chill in the air as the day’s heat begins to wane. The temperature drop provides a pleasant contrast to the warmth of the setting sun on your face.
On our journey, we got caught in the dark, lost, saw dead things floating in the wild, saw deer, cranes, muskrats and all manner of creatures.
The water under you is calm and smooth, almost like a mirror reflecting the beautiful evening sky. You can barely feel the gentle push of the current beneath you as you float leisurely. The soft, rhythmic splashing of your oar or the gentle bob of your raft becomes a soothing soundtrack, accompanied by the calls of evening birds returning to their nests and the gentle rustle of leaves in the nearby trees.
Your view of the river is one of tranquility and peace. The banks are lined with lush trees and vegetation, their greens becoming darker and more mysterious in the evening light. Occasionally, you might spot wildlife – perhaps a deer coming to the river’s edge for an evening drink or a bird of prey soaring above searching for its dinner. As you watch, small insects begin to dance above the water surface, drawing fish that leap to catch them.
As the night begins to claim the day, the first stars appear, twinkling in the deepening blue of the sky. Their reflections shimmer on the river’s surface, creating the illusion that you are floating through a galaxy. The evening chorus of the frogs and crickets begins, a symphony that emphasizes the beautiful solitude of your river journey.
Floating on a beautiful river in the evening is a meditation in motion. It’s an opportunity to connect with nature, to breathe in its wonders, and to gain a sense of peace and tranquility that only such an experience can provide. It’s a moment of solitude, reflection, and beauty that creates lasting memories.
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