Floating down the Ichetucknee River

When we visited my brothers last month, they treated us to a tubing trip down the Ichetucknee River.  These pictures are belated because we had to wait for the waterproof camera to be developed (which reminds me just how much I love digital!)...the picture quality isn't great, but at least it captures the general idea!  We had such a great time.

We rode tubes/rafts down the river...

The guys had to try stunts, of course (I missed a shot of Caleb jumping off an overhanging branch)... 

As we floated, we could hear thunder in the far distance, but by the time we got to the last few hundred yards, it was getting really close.  We literally watched it roll in and we were glad to get out of the river just in time!

Our tram ride back to the parking lot was a wild ride of torrential rain, thunder, and lightning -- more fun than any amusement park!  Although it spoiled our hopes of taking another ride down the river, it was fun nonetheless.  You can't see the actual rain in this picture, but the graininess/blurriness is because it was raining like only a Florida-afternoon-thunderstorm can rain!

Getting six drenched bodies into the car without the benefit of a dry place to change was very interesting...but we made it work.  We got back to their place in time to clean up, dry off, and devour the roast beef that had been cooking itself while we played at the River...and then we enjoyed a fun evening of being together.

I think David's summary of our NY trip has become my new summary of any time spent with family..."The only bad part was leaving!"