Toobism July 30, 2005!
Troublemaker! ... The Big Float will occur on Saturday at High Noon! The plan is to gather and arrive to camp at the river Friday night. Then on Saturday, inflate the tubes, stock the beer tubes, prepare body, mind and soul, jump in below Troublemaker (class 3 rapid), float for almost 2 hours down to the bridge, caravan back to camp, lounge around and take a dose of Troublemaker if you like, then bbq and celebrate into the night. Sunday involves more riverside lounging until we must peel ourselves away from this river paradise.
Going the Distance! We'll be staying at the American River Campground/Resort in Coloma for Friday and Saturday nights. It takes a little over three hours to drive from the Bay Area (see directions at bottom of page). I plan to be there about 1pm Friday. Arrive anytime that fits your schedule. If you arrive to the camping area Friday after office hours(10pm), there will be a map on the front door of the office with "Unter" on it showing where our campsites are. We have ALL of the RIVER SITES reserved (#11 THRU #25). If you are planning to drive up Saturday morning, make sure you get to Coloma by 11am and either inflate your tubes on the way (Chevron in Placerville plus rope to strap down on your roof) or put your tubes into the hands of someone that will be up there Friday so we can inflate them with the air compressor Sat morning. If you are just coming for the day, tell the guy at the gate you're with the "Unter" group. Don't be late, because we will hop in the river at noon!
Camp Thingies! Its car-camping... but due to limited camping space, some cars will need to be parked up in the office parking lot this year. There are showers and running water close at hand. There is a restaurant at the campsite where you could grab lunch or donner and there is a general store with other camping necessities, food, and beer. Given the large group, the FOOD plan is up to you and your camping group. Bring what you'll need and to share. The plan for Saturday night is to share bbq's. Let me know if you're bringing one. Once again Toobhedd will be cooking up banana pancakes Saturday morning for everyone to enjoy. If you're thinking of bringing a dog, the policy of the campground is that they need to be on a leash and cannot be left alone/tied up. Bring the normal camp gear:
Tube Heads! Everyone needs their own INNER TUBE and I've acquired 60+ of them. This is yours to keep for future, so love it and feed it and give it a name... If you haven't paid me for one, then I'm assuming you are bringing your own - just make sure its big enough. 10.0R 20 is the proper size. Just like in previous years, we will float drinks in a few cooler tubes:
Watch out for that ROCK! Yes, you can fall out of your tube...there are sharp, hard things in rivers which jump in your way - but scars are cool, right? Troublemaker is tougher than in previous years, so I'll bring helmets for anyone who chooses to brave it. Several pulled themselves out of the river feeling like a drowned rat last year. For safety this year, we will begin the float below the rapids. Also, you've just gotta have the right gear to go tubing. You gotta wear the right threads to project that rugged tuber image. And you've gotta wear a LIFE VEST. Everyone needs their own life vest (that's all that the ranger asks of us!) I'll be renting 70+ of them the day before the float.
How time flies! Here's a quick recap of the highlights over the past 18 years: