Gifts are temporary but experiences last a lifetime. I’ll be able to look back with great memories at the San Marcos River BYOB Guided Tubing Experience in Austin for my 18th birthday. My parents and I came across the San Marcos River Tour online. It read you need to be at least 18 years old to go on it. I was turning 18 so I was eligible for the San Marcos River tour. I brought it up to my friends about the experience to see if they were up for it. We liked the idea so, my mom signed us up. Me and my buddies drove to Austin with my parents for a three day weekend.
On Saturday, my dad dropped us off at the Cosmic coffee shop. Me and my friends sat under a tree on some benches waiting for other people who signed up for the experience. We sat and talked about what we should do later after tubing. I felt something land on my arm. I look down and a bird pooped on my arm. I couldn’t believe it! It was so nasty! My friends couldn’t stop laughing. My friend Mateo happen to catch my reaction on video. I rushed inside to wash the poop off my arm. My buddy Mateo who is Bulgarian said in his culture it was considered good luck. Looking back, it is funny now. I will remember next time to not sit under a tree! 😬
Our guide Dave Chapman and his nephew Jake talked to us once everyone showed up. There were about 20 people in our group. We shuffled into the cargo van like daycare kids going on a field trip. My friends and I sat behind Dave, our guide, who was extremely friendly, and asked us where we were from and what our plans were for college. I had a great time talking to him. Once we got there, we gathered our things. Dry bags were provided to put our stuff into to carry down the river.
We packed Minute-Maid lemonade and Body Armor drinks with us along with refillable water bottles. Most of the people who were 21 and up brought beers and drinks that were advertised on the tour. So we got to the site that was near the Texas State University campus. We had to park kind of far because it was the 4th of July weekend, so you can imagine it was packed. We walked to the site with our tubes and wet bags. Dave took our shoes into another wet bag but I would recommend water shoes if you have them. Our tubes, had a little built-in chair in it. They tied me my friend’s tubes together with a rope so we would stay together meanwhile a separate group of people were tied together.
We stayed with the group while Dave gave us instructions and some brief information about the area. Eventually, we started to float and move down the river.
We met Jacob, Dave’s nephew, he helped us to not float off into the bushes and trees while we floated ahead of the group. We hit some parts where we ran into crowds of people and that slowed down the trip. This is mainly because it was the Fourth of July weekend so the river was packed at some points. But usually this isn’t the case, except for holidays. So if you like a lot of people then go during a holiday, if not then go another time.
I would be careful with your phones. We passed by a lady who dropped her phone in the water. I did not get out of the tube except for that moment to try to help her find it. When I put my foot into the water it was muddy and I sunk far into the ground. Once I felt the muddy ground I knew her phone was gone. Towards the end of the river, we came across three mini rapids that you could go on. I recommend you be careful because that is a crowded area. There were people there who helped push your tube in the direction you wanted to go. Once we got out of the there were some sharp rocks so that is why I recommend you wear water shoes.
Dave was awesome. He had so much energy and a lot of personality. He kept the experience hyped up. He dropped us off back at our hotel along with another couple. It was a fun and relaxing experience with my friends for my 18th birthday.
