More thoughts on the Illinois River

More Thoughts on the Illinois River

#1. Life along the Illinois is simple. I was impressed by the BBQ stand at Warr Eagle Resort as we were loading the bus. It had a huge sign by the road side listing the special. The special was BBQ & Beer. Don't get much simpler than that.

#2. Who makes up the rules for floating and further more, who enforces them? This year we were not allowed to tie anything down or together. You didn't have to wear you life jacket but you were also not allowed to tie your life jacket down. Nor were you allowed this year to tie any rafts together. Immediate fine for both of these offenses. Interesting....in all the years we have floated the river, I don't think I have ever seen anyone with the authority to "fine" you for an offense. In my opinion there are too many other things on the river that should be worthy of a "fine."

#3. Monogamy on the river doesn't exist. Since the"no tying the rafts together rule", people had to be creative in moving from raft to raft. Each person that visited our raft brought with them their own special gifts. There was Matt who was looking for a non-paddling raft. Nathan who just kept getting pulled out and need a lift back to his boat. Jay who managed to come just as we were headed for some nasty rapids (and by nasty, I mean a few rocks causing some fast moving water) and managed to look like the hero with some massive paddeling. Vicki who brought us some comic relief and some girl company for me and Stacey. Jason who took some great pictures of us that I hope never surface. Many others came and went but Jeff and Bryan stayed faithful to our raft throughout the whole experience. Some guys do manage to stay faithful.

#4. Drunk people are more acceptable than church people. Our midnight devo was interrupted by the camp manager who told us that it was almost 1 in the morning and we needed to either wrap it up or move it inside because we were being too noisy with our singing. If you ask me, someone needs to find Jesus.

Thus ends the MRCC Float Trip 2005.