Sunday Night With John: It's the River Float, We Do It Every Year

We were young, full of energy, and weren’t well prepared. 12 years ago, a group of at least 40 people from my college traveled to Eldora, Iowa and camped with Rock and Row Adventures and floated 8 miles of the not-so-deep part of the Iowa River. As each year passes, we each grow a little older, our schedules become busier and we all no longer live in Iowa.  But without fail, each one of us makes an effort to continue this tradition.  This year, one of us is making their way all the way from Scotland for the occasion.  This silly tradition that often is accompanied by “trashy” or “classy” costumes and camp sites that more closely resemble shanty towns is what keeps us connected and present in each other’s lives.  You could say we have become the elder statesman of “Rock and Row.” 

As I get ready to head back to Eldora for my 12th time I can’t help but think back our virgin voyage.  We had no idea what we doing which was evidence in the fact that we didn’t even bring a tent or food. We thought we would float down the river and head home, not realizing that floating down the river for 8 hours can zap the energy from you.  In my naivety, I neglected to put on sunscreen and with my ginger coloring, you can imagine I regretted it later. (Note the only year I made this mistake). Despite our mistakes, we were hooked. 

As the Eldora trip became solidified in our summer routine traditions began to develop.  We all look forward to them just about as much as a kid looks forward to Christmas morning.  My personal favorite is the Saturday morning stop at “The Rock Stop” in Steamboat Rock, IA for the best breakfast pizza in the world and when I say the best breakfast pizza, I mean it – it’s delicious.

Themes also started to develop over the years.  One year our theme was “VIP.” And if you know my friends, and me you know we commit to the theme.  We had a red carpet, red velvet ropes, a disco ball, and around the campfire everyone was required to wear a suit jacket. You are probably thinking we are a bunch of dorks – and we are.  But I guarantee that our exuberance for our time together is contagious. 

Another year our theme was “classy” and we all wore bow ties, suspenders, and one guy even wore a full suit down the river. There was the wrestle mania year were there were three mud flat fights were a battle royalale broke out. I attempted a cross body jump slam on my friend who caught me mid air and slammed me into the ground. It hurt, but so did my gut from all the laughing.  I also remember the year the river was high and we decided to cliff jump and let me tell you, it was fun.

Next weekend we are partaking on our 12th trip down the river and the theme is education.  Two friends graduated from some form of higher education school and I will be returning to school for my masters degree this fall.  I have heard rumblings of that there will be some sorts of awards ceremony this year.  As I think about this yearly camping trip the quote from Nelson Mandela comes to mind, "There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to see the ways that you yourself have changed." I can measure my attitude about life from this yearly trip. The conversations we’ve had floating down a river, the growth of our worlds to include wives, children, and the concern of others beside ourselves. We have had conversations about our dreams for our careers and lives and now we chat about the next dream we plan to chase.       

The river float keeps me in touch with my youthfulness, clears my mind form the present troubles, helps me set up my future, and reminds me how we have carved out amazing friendships.  I am always anxious to rinse, wash, and repeat each. These types of traditions matter in life. Staying connected matters.  Having stupid amounts of fun and laughter matters. My only hope is to be floating down this river as an old man with my friends talking about a great life lived and a group of young floaters passes by next to us. They will overhear our conversations and maybe asks a couple of questions.  We can proudly share our stories from 50 years of camping and floating as a group and hope that they will have the carry on their own traditions.  It’s the River float; some one has to do it every year