School is officially out for the summer and I've promised little brother Quigley, Jr. that I'd take him, and a few of his classmates, on a tubing adventure/party on the river this weekend. Tubing has been around along time but, in recent years, it's become a full-fledged sport. There are tubing centers and tube guides. Heck, even the "tubes" themselves are no longer simply inner tubes from large tires....although you can still find those low-tech, old-school versions out there. Many of them are now are covered with skins, to protect your backside, while some fancier tubes come complete with a skirt that contains pockets for your sunscreen, sunglasses, and other small, personal items. Tubers these days go so far as attach a small floating container to their tube and carry a picnic lunch and beverages. Tubing sure ain't what it used to be...
Tubing, I've learned, can be down on the water, on snow, or even just flying through the air! Supposedly, tubing was "invented" in Thailand by Princess Chumbhot of Nagar Svarga in the mid-20th century. When it comes to water tubing, there are two varieties; towed and free-flowing. As you may have guessed, towed tubing involves being pulled through the water by a towline attached to a boat or jet ski. Free-flowing, what Quigley and his friends want to do, is simply setting your backside in the middle of the tube and floating, hopefully leisurely, and letting the water's current carry you along.
Although many water parks now offer tubing, in addition to their other water activities, I really think that the old-fashioned, free-flowing river tubing is the best. It's a nice way to while away a summer afternoon, even if it's a soggy one. Really, if you're going to get wet anyway, you might as well do it having some fun.
Tubes are also known as biscuits or donuts, no doubt because of their shape, but what is interesting to note here is that today is National Donut Day. This means that I can have my "donut", but not gain any weight! Pretty slick, eh? June 3rd is also National Repeat Day. So if you have something you love to do, this is your day to do it twice...and without any guilt. I mean, after all, you're simply celebrating a nationally recognized day!
Flooding is becoming a problem in many places, besides Lily Pad. And if your weekend plans include water activities, please stay safe. I'll be back here again on Monday. See you all then!