“We grew up around the creek. We wanted to ensure it would be around for years to come for other people to enjoy.” ~ Margaux Isaksen
One way to beat the heat this summer is to head for the river or creek. A friend of ours we were visiting took us to Deep Creek near Bryson City, NC, in the great Smoky Mountain National Park to just have a look at how popular tubing has become.
This is what we saw regarding this summer ritual.
First, stop at a roadside vendor to rent your tubes or bring them from home.
Next, find a place to park and claim your picnic table.
You may be content to tube right here or go to the campground on the other side of the river and camp for a week like many do.
If you really want to maximize your tube ride, then you must carry your tube up the paved path to one of the bridges. All ages could be seen hefting those huge water lounges for the long hike. The further you walk, the longer the tube ride.
Remember that small children float faster than adults and if you want to keep up with them, tie them to you.
Most importantly, lay back and enjoy the lush mountain scenery.
Be sure to pause in front of the waterfall or take a dip.
Finally, lounge in the summer sun on your tube after a long ride down a cold water creek.
Summer Fun. Stay Cool!
On the Go with Lynne 
That looks so cool, Lynne! (sorry 🙂 ) What a great way to spend a day. Thanks for the tip about tying up the young uns. I wouldn’t have thought.
Happy heat wave!
We did this years ago, Jo, but this trip to North Carolina we went white water rafting with the family. What a blast that was. No way to take picture. Too busy paddling and trying to not get knocked out of the raft. But, we stayed cool. 🙂
We’re going to the Catskills Mountains in a couple of weeks and my guy wants to tubing but I was worried it was a bit too “extreme” (in the photos he showed me everyone was wearing a helmet and padding!). These photos make it seem, well, like a nice float down a river. Maybe I’ll try it after all. Or maybe I’ll steer him away from the crowds and we’ll enjoy a nice hike and a dip elsewhere!
Were you tempted to try it?
There are risks, Letizia. Creeks can rise with rushing water without warning and tubers or rafters instinctively put their feet down, but get trapped by a rock and can drown, which is why the National Parks don’t advise tubing. They would much rather people be content with hiking and camping. We went wildwater rafting down the Nantahala River instead with an experienced company. Still, you sign your life away. We had 6 to a raft with a professional guide. We had heavy duty life vests on, some wore helmets and we listened carefully to the safety speech. If you get bounced out of a raft, do not stand up. Float downstream with your feet heading downstream…nose and toes sticking up at all times. A passing raft will pull you in by your vest. These are not boating vests, but heavy duty ones. I think rafting is fine with a professional guide, but be careful with tubing. As you can see, this creek was just inches deep that day.
Thanks for the advice! I’ve been rafting, but, like you, went with experienced guides and well equipped.
I love tubing! I’m so glad to see a lazy day on the river in the Great Smoky National Park. We used to go there tubing. I’m with you, though. I can’t stand the crowds and sometimes it was like bumper cars along the river. We always used our big inflatable truck tubes. They were stronger and we didn’t have to rent the tubes. Great post, Lynne. Now, if I can ever find truck tubes here in Nicaragua, I’m all set.
All you need is to find those tires, Debbie. Tubing is fun but the threat unexpected rising, rushing waters is a concern on the mountain creeks. We tubed elsewhere years ago and loved it. Summer fun! 🙂
This looks like so much fun! Reminds me what we used to do with tyre tubes 🙂
Inner tubes from trucks work particularly well. Hold up better than what you rent. Glad it brings back fun memories, Alarna.
This looks like such fun, Lynne. I enjoyed your photos, and imagining I was there on one of those tubes. 🙂
It looked quite crowded that day, Sylvia, but nevertheless, looked like fun. Now if I could just get someone to carry my tube up the path. 🙂
Had never heard of tubing before Lynne, what a great idea to stay cool while enjoying the outdoors! Your photos capture the fun mood perfectly. Love the shot of the toddler tied to his dad 🙂
I thought that was such a great idea on the father’s part. Without life vests,even in shallow water, kids can get in trouble easily and need to be supervised. The colors and mood of the place was like one big festival and oh, the campfire smells of out door cooking was heavenly. 🙂
That looks so awesome! We haven’t had much time to explore the stunning wonders of Oregon since moving to Portland a few months ago, but we look forward to many nature adventures to come. : )
I’ve never been to your part of the country, but I understand there is much to offer. Enjoy your exploring and having adventures. thanks for you comment, Britt.
I grew up around water. We were either at the river or ocean all summer and fall. Check out these river pics (they are fall shots)
http://moondustwriter.com/2014/08/01/never-in-a-straight-line-poem-dpchallenge-photography/
Nice to meet you 🙂
Nice to meet you, too, Leslie. I tried to comment on the above link, but it wouldn’t let me. I like your poetry for zig zag. Thanks for your visit and your comment.
Nice to meet you, too, Leslie. I tried to comment on the above link, but it wouldn’t let me. I like your poetry for zig zag. Thanks for your visit and your comment.
Wonderful, colorful photos, Lynne–makes me want to jump right in and join the festivities. I’ve been white-water rafting on the Youghiogheny River in Spring waters–cold, but great fun.
I had to look up Youghiogheny River to see where it was. Looks like a great place to white-water raft. We rafted the Nantahala Gorge in western NC instead of tubing. Great fun. Sounds like you’ve been doing some traveling.