Rolling
on the River
Of
course, there would be some hurdles. When Harry went through the
process of determining the environmental impact of his business,
the local shermen came out pretty strongly against it, as did the
group Trout Unlimited. While some just wouldn’t countenance
tube-toting tourists opping all over their beloved creek, most
realized that the environmental impact of Harry’s business
would be minimal, and might actually spur some economic growth in
an area that needed it. With the permissions and legalities in place,
in 1979 Harry was off and running, with a barnful of truck tubes,
and access to that 4-mile stretch, which divided nicely into two
tube runs: one slow and easy, and one with a series of rapids and
calm areas.
It’s
the latter that my 13-year old son and I opt for when we drive up
to The Town Tinker Tube Rental place, just off Route 28 in Phoenicia.
A red trolley greets you on the right side by the parking area,
housing a concession stand that sells items of particular value
to the tube set: river shoes, water-proof carrying cases and cameras.
On the left side of the road is a big red barn, with multiple stacks
of truck tubes, with wooden disks roped into the middles (there’s
a good reason for this.) We sign indemni cation forms, absolving
Town Tinker from anything stupid we choose to do on the creek, and
get some quick instruction on proper tube technique. We are advised
to sit in the tubes, leaning back rather than forward, and to paddle
vigorously when needed. We’re told to stay with the tube at
all times, to avoid standing in over knee-deep water (this is very
rarely necessary,) to stay to left under the rst bridge (the right
is shallow, you will be walking!) and to pull out at bridge #4.
We are handed life-jackets and helmets for the kids, and mill about
with 20 or so others, waiting for the bus.
CONTINUE....
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