Serious question. I had a friend born and raised near Seattle who I invited to come on a float trip in southeast Missouri. Her mind was blown that this is a thing people do - drinking and making a ruckus while floating down a river.
In MO, this is just a thing that people do. At least in rural areas. I had no idea it was regional. So, how far across this region does the concept of float trips go?
We just called it tubing in Wisconsin.
I’ve always understood a float trip to be a large group of people going down rivers in rafts or canoes while consuming large amounts of alcohol. I haven’t been on one since 2010 and honestly it’s not my thing.
I’ve done tubing day-trips in WI and MN. There are a few really popular spots near the border of both states.
Drinking is a must. The rental/shuttle services count your beers ahead of time, count your empties upon return, and issue a small fee for each missing can.
Oh I like the can counting idea. They don’t gaf on MO rivers… I have seen entire coolers floating down the river before, not a canoe in sight. In those instances it’s like the river gods have provided you with river beer, but yea… not the best stewardship of our waterways.
In IA. I’ve heard it called tubing, I’ve also heard it not called a name, just “take some tubes”.
I’ve never heard float trip, but we do it.
I know what you’re referring to, but we don’t call it a “float trip” here (Iowa). There’s no specific term for it. You just ask if you want to go tubing down the river and camp for the weekend. The drinking is implied of course.
