Tubing on the Salt River

Leave it to Americans to come up with uniquely creative ways to relax, recreate, and party.  During my trip out of town, it was decided by our hosts to "tube" down the Salt River.

This consists to going to the venue vendor and renting a giant truck tire inner tube and float down the river from the drop off point to the pick-up point.  OK, easy enough, but I must say, the innovation involved in "tubing down the river" was a sight to be seen.

First, for those who have done so before, a bed sheet was brought to wrap the tube.  Why? A black inner tube under the Arizona sun, in the middle of July, well, you do the math.  And there will always be those who bring some additional stuff to make the float more enjoyable. BUT, American ingenuity, there is always a better mouse trap and taking it to the next level.

Some companies have manufactured inner tubes to make the float even more enjoyable.  They've added a mesh bottom to the tube, to hold all your stuff (and trash); a headrest (yeah, it make life a lot easier); beverage holders, like the center console of your car (one's beer must be readier accessible), there's even a "tube" for two (gotta keep the significant other nearby) with built in ice cooler. (See below)

I love American ingenuity.  Some company will always make a better product to make fun more fun.  But the DIY guys, well, they'll always take it to the next level.

A ghetto blaster built into an ice chest.  You gotta have your tunes.

As Yakov Smirnoff said, "I love this Country!!!"