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TUBING: A TEXAS TRADITION & "MUST-DO" IN THE LONE STAR STATE'S GERMAN-SETTLED REGION

By Unknown - 1:13 AM

'Deep in the Heart of Texas', we have this awesome custom (can I call it a custom?) of floating down one of the many rivers. This weekend, the Guadalupe River (which I spent 11 summers of my life at Camp Mystic on) was the river of choice. It's grunge green and quite cold, but the temperature serves as a perfect contrast to the super hot Texas sun and although it may be green as can be, it is also pretty dang clean. I have been making float trips on the river ever since I can remember and it's only become more fun with age - can maybe attribute the drinking and it turning into friend trips, but whatever.This year, I was lucky enough to stay at a best friend's river house where we could cross the road and hop right in.

To float the river, you just need a few things:



  • tube

  • cooler + beer

  • friends

  • sunscreen (srsly)

  • sunglasses


If you are not an extreme river rat whose garage is stocked with these items, there are loads of companies in the New Braunfels area (settled by Germans) at the Guadalupe, San Marcos and Comal Rivers that can hook you up for $15-$20 per  day. You can expect to float 3-4 hours and see everyone from large families and kayakers to wild college students getting black out drunk (don't say I didn't warn you). The float consists of mostly calm river sections with intermittent rapids that your tube will usually sail smoothly over.

If you are ever in Texas, this is a must do. Just 30 minutes from Austin or San Antonio, 3 hours from Houston and 4 hours from Dallas, an adventure into the beginning part of the Texas Hill Country makes for the perfect weekend escape.

view off the front porch





[caption id="attachment_692" align="aligncenter" width="620"] ready to hop in the river[/caption]




Have you ever floated the river?

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28 comments

  1. DianaJuly 25, 2012 at 2:18 AM

    I had no idea about that Texas 'tradition' ;) but seems really fun! I want to go river tubing--this heat in Seoul is killing me slowly. I miss German summers!

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  2. EmilyJuly 25, 2012 at 2:29 AM

    ah we loving tubing in georgia too!! i hope people will still want to go with me when i get back, even though summer will already be over!

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  3. EmilyJuly 25, 2012 at 3:31 AM

    welcome back to america! so jealous of your float, we may be doing that soon for a bachelorette party!

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  4. ValorieJuly 25, 2012 at 4:27 AM

    Oh, this is THE BEST Texas tradition! For my friend's bachelorette party we floated the Comal and it was out of control, but SO MUCH FUN. Love floating rives. Love it.

    Also, Texas Tuesday link up?! Yesssss. Where can I sign up?!

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  5. KatrinJuly 25, 2012 at 4:35 AM

    This looks like so much fun! I am just so scared of deep water.....

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  6. ifs ands & buttsJuly 25, 2012 at 4:40 AM

    Just realized I totally forgot to link the Texas Tuesday badge - now you can click and see where to sign up :) I just found this link up today as well

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  7. ifs ands & buttsJuly 25, 2012 at 5:41 AM

    The water was never too deep to stand :) I guess that's one positive of last years drought.

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  8. JJuly 25, 2012 at 6:43 AM

    I *love* floating the river!! I haven't been in a few years, and I'm dying to go!!

    Thanks for linking up, I love your blog!!

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  9. NikenJuly 25, 2012 at 4:16 PM

    this is so fun!
    i don't mind floating the river.
    i hope your hand will completely heal sooner than later

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  10. Amanda @ Princess of the PanhandleJuly 25, 2012 at 4:56 PM

    I have never floated any rivers other than our local one! I know, I'm a bad Texan. I'm so glad you found our link up and hope to see you back next week! I love your blog, can't wait to go read about you a little more. :)

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  11. Joyness SparklesJuly 25, 2012 at 5:53 PM

    You are so fortunate to be able to be out in the sun all day like that! Even with sunscreen I would end up burning being out for too long. I am so glad y'all had fun!

    ***Stopping by from the hop, have a great day!

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  12. treasuretrompJuly 25, 2012 at 9:47 PM

    that looks like so much fun. I love a good float on a river!

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  13. Bailey K.July 25, 2012 at 10:17 PM

    I love that river. I used to live in New Braunfels and I miss it so much!

    I'm starting a new link party on my blog exclusively for traveling and experiencing different places (even in your home town). I'd love it if you'd hop on over and link this post or any other recent travel post up. Thanks so much!

    http://www.letbirdzfly.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-places-youll-go-travel-link-party.html

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  14. Alyx Garner (@adodds)July 26, 2012 at 6:40 AM

    I love river tubing!! You can do that on the Niobrara here in Nebraska, and it's so fun!!

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  15. Sara LouiseJuly 26, 2012 at 10:40 AM

    Aw man! You just made my Hill Country heart quiver!

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  16. ifs ands & buttsJuly 27, 2012 at 1:31 AM

    Germany was far too chilly this summer for me - I was happy to escape to this Houston sauna for a bit :) Although I hear it's awesome in Germany right now. Of course I miss the great weather.

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  17. ifs ands & buttsJuly 27, 2012 at 1:34 AM

    If the Georgia summers last until October like the Texas ones, I bet you can find some people :)

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  18. ifs ands & buttsJuly 27, 2012 at 1:44 AM

    Is there anywhere in France we could do this? Because I'm game.

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  19. ifs ands & buttsJuly 27, 2012 at 1:45 AM

    That river name sounds so tribal! But it's seriously the best day activity everrrr

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  20. ifs ands & buttsJuly 27, 2012 at 1:53 AM

    My favorite link up idea yet - thanks girl! I can't believe you're from New Braunfels, too fun!

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  21. ifs ands & buttsJuly 27, 2012 at 1:57 AM

    Isn't it the best? I want everyone from Germany to come visit me in Texas solely so I can take them to do this.

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  22. ifs ands & buttsJuly 27, 2012 at 1:57 AM

    Oh trust me, if you lathered up in 50 SPF 3x like I did on the river, you'd be fine too :) I'm pale as can be

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  23. ifs ands & buttsJuly 27, 2012 at 1:58 AM

    You HAVE to come to the central part of the state and do it - a perfect weekend trip :)

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  24. ifs ands & buttsJuly 27, 2012 at 1:58 AM

    I may get my sling off Monday, fingers crossed :)

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  25. ifs ands & buttsJuly 27, 2012 at 1:59 AM

    Don't die, just hop in the car!

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  26. ifs ands & buttsJuly 27, 2012 at 2:01 AM

    Always a great Bachelorette party idea!! Then y'all can hit up 6th Street after :)

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  27. ebeAugust 8, 2012 at 11:32 AM

    Now this makes me miss home. Yes, we float the river in Washington State as well. We were trying to strategist if we could float a canal in Berlin, but it became so shallow & rancid by July it wasn't worth doing. I'll put it on my to-do list for a visit to Texas.

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  28. ifs ands & buttsAugust 9, 2012 at 7:57 PM

    Do you know anywhere it's possible in Germany? I'd be willing to make a serious road trip for it.

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