Float Trip

This is Goldman reporting on this years float trip. Rachel Lynch has organized the annual float trip for the past 23 years. This years participants included Mike Lynch, Chris "Maddog" Lynch, Scott Spreitler, Beth Fontana, Ding and Shelly Spreitler, Scott Kaenter and his girlfriend Jennifer Ashby, Dan Cullinane, Doug Hollensbe, Chris Groves,and me. We camped at the Bass River Resort in Steelville, MO and floated the Courtois River. We began arriving and setting up camp in the late afternoon and early evening. it started to get cloudy just before dark and I reassured the rest of the campers that we would not see any rain. Luckily we had the awning of Kaenter's camper to provide cover during the 45 minute downpour we endured. Once the rain slowed to a drizzle we erected the portable car port that Doug brought and we did not see another drop of rain the rest of the weekend. On Saturday morning we started the day with breakfast quesidilas that Scott and Beth made for everyone. Without a doubt it was the best float trip breakfast ever and we were ready to hit the river. When we were younger we used to float 12 or 15 miles but now we only go 6 miles. Of course back in the old days we also used to camp in rowdy section of the camp ground where there were no quiet hours. Now we camp in the area where you have to be quiet after 11. Anyway the drought caused the water level to be way down on the river and we spent a lot of time dragging our canoes but we all still had fun. Doug and Dan caught some fish and Scott, Beth, and Groves managed to tip their canoe. After the float Ding and Dan won the wiffle ball trophy from Lynch and me, ending our 8 year title reign. We spent the rest of the day and evening playing cornhole, eating another great meal, sitting around the camp fire and generally having a great time. Soon enough it was Sunday morning and it was time to take down the tents and pack up. Groves owns the smallest tent in the world ( he almost fits in it if he lays diagonally) so he was ready to go first. We are looking forward to Rachel's 24th annual float trip next summer.