It took us awhile to get settled into camp. When we arrived at our spot, some folks were already camped there. At first they gave Marky a hard time and acted like they weren't going anywhere. But Jamie and I sweet talked them a bit and they finally admitted they were wrapping up their trip and would be gone soon, so we scored "the site" again. The light was fantastic on the river when we first arrived, so I took a bunch of pictures there. Here's one of the beautiful rocky riverbed. Just looking at it makes me feel calmer. I've made this into my computer's "wallpaper" at home - I love it so much.

My shadow on the clear water.

Jamie and Erin (Mark's cousin). This was Erin's first Annual. Something tells me she'll be back! :)

Me and Jamie - the water girls! (She's a Pisces and I'm a Cancer - is it any wonder we love the river so much?). Dig the squirrel on my tee-shirt!

Our feet in the water. The water this year was the warmest I've ever felt it. That's probably not a good thing from an environmental standpoint, but it was nice not to freeze my patootie off!

Time to LOAD THE FLOATS! Tony, Mark (top) and Viljo (back to us) load up Mark's truck. Mark is an expert in float compacting technology. I think we have like, 15 floats in his truck! We drive upriver, and then float back down to our campsites. It's nice to be able to just walk to your tent after floating for several hours!

One of the main differences between "Floating" in the NW and "Toobing" in Texas, is that in Texas, floatation is primarily via inner tubes. There may be slight toob modifications: toobs with a hard plastic bottom attached (highly recommended both for butt bumping protection, as well as for less struggling to stay wedged in the hole just right), toobs with a cooler tied on, and I've even seen a couple of "boom-box" tubes. But in the Northwest, there are a vast multitude of floation possibilities. Basically anything that gets you down the river is an acceptable "float", and many do use the standard toob. But a truly perfect float scores high in all the following categories:

• ruggedness/longevity: There are lots of rocks and sticks in the rivers of the Northwest, some of them sharp. A float that doesn't, isn't! Floats also accumulate additional style points based on years of service.
• shallowness of draft: essential for those years when the snowpack wasn't very deep and the rocks are threatening any bony part of your body that happens to be a bit low in the water. Especially important if you are one of those people (you know who you are - Jamie) who can't resist taking home "a few" rock specimins from the river. Look for something with alot of surface area.
• comfort and range of motion: you'll be in this thing, in the hot sun (assuming it's not raining/snowing), for several hours; choose a float that is comfortable in several positions for a nice even sunburn, front and back!
• beverage capacity: there are two schools of thought on this: a) carry your own b) make friends with the bringer of the cooler toob! This year, Jason brought this awesome beer float called the "MEGA-CHILL" (must be said as though announcing for a monster truck rally)which was essentially a round tube with a large inflatable "bucket" in the middle that you fill with beer and ice. NICE! Say it with me: "MEGA-CHILL!!"
• beverage access: There are rapids on this river, some years bigger than others. You'll need to paddle at some point, probably right after you opened a fresh beer, and generally two hands work better than one. Unless you like watered down beer or spinning heading backwards into the great abyss, a cupholder is highly recommended! BTW - I discovered this year how to add your own cup-holder to almost any float. All you need is some duct-tape and a keg cup and "Viola!" you too can mod you float with an "after-market" cup holder!
• originality & style: this is a broad category and can include luxury features (like a pillow, foot rest, or sun shade), distinctive character or theme (the Turtle, Mr. Roboto, the Pod Racer), superfluous appendages (palm trees, tails, horns), amount of duct tape used, years of service, and fit with the floater's personality.

Several of the crew brought their babies with them this year. Ezra, Wylie, and Hanah all floated with us, and did amazingly well on the floats with their parents, who were well prepared for any baby needs with shade, snacks, water, sunscreen, etc. Ezra (aka EZ-B) is ready to get on the river!

Most of the crew ready to float. From the left: Autumn and Viljo & Ezra (on the tailgate), Jason and Maria, Ryan holding son Wylie, Sonnie and Erin. Dig my Mr. Roboto float in the background. We got him three years ago for the float trip, and Mark and Jamie stored him for us!

Me and Jamie ready to finally get on the river!

Finally, my favorite picture from the float trip - Jamie and Jinx.

As usual, we had too little time to camp and had to tear ourselves away. But we had fun, and caught up at least a little with our dear friends. I have to say that it's nice to see the Annual evolve to include kids as people get older. I like to think that maybe someday the adult kids of this crew might be coming here with their babies. Now THAT would be cool!