The Chili family trip report

“Aren’t kids great?

We took out kids to Hardy over the weekend for a camping/float trip. Arrived on Friday and left Monday about noon. The kids spent almost all day Saturday swimming in the River and floating on the four man raft. My son, being 13 and now finding himself with not only one, but two little sisters (9 and 8), took charge in short order and had them completely under control for most of the weekend. In return, they were scouting out all the teenage girls in the campground and coming back with the “babe report” on a regular basis. Although embarrassed, he found as much humor in it as we adults did.

The plan had been to float from Dam 3 to Hardy on a raft. We decided to make it a Sunday trip as opposed to Saturday as it would be less crowded. On Saturday, about 7PM, the canoes started coming in to Hardy that had launched at 9AM from Dam 3. I quickly figured that a 12 hour raft trip might tax everyone, but in particular, I figured if the kids got tired of paddling, the MrsChili and I would never get us paddled back by ourselves. We opted instead to cut the trip to about 1/3 of the length by putting in at the low water bridge and floating back to Hardy. This would allow the kids to become acclimated to rafting on more slack water with less rapids. The amazed me at how quickly they learned to stow gear and handle the raft. I expected that the day would be one long teaching experience, but after the first 45 minutes, they didn’t need much more instructions. All that I heard for the first hour was “we want more rapids”. I explained we would go through three or four sets as well as some shallow shoals. The first rapid was short and lazy in the raft and although excited, they complained it wasn’t long enough. They wanted to tow the raft back up stream and do it again, but I explained the current was more swift than they realized. After getting out of the raft and into it, they quickly abandoned the plan. As we had all day, we were in no hurry and took opportunity to swim often as we floated through the slack water. After the first run, they had the routine down and actually took us through two sets with little help from me and MrsChili. Sometimes I forget how quickly kids learn new things.

The were excited throughout the trip and were anxious to see the falls before we got to Hardy. At Big Falls, we approached and watched the canoes in front of us go over. I had planned on bypassing the fall (about 4 feet) but the kids were threatening to start a riot if we didn’t go over. After seeing the canoes go over pretty well, I had them line the raft up and we began the approach. Upon hearing the water fall grow closer, one of the girls began to yell,,”cool, let’s go over”, and the other began to yell “stop, this is crazy, let me out”. By this time, it was too late as we had momentum and over we went. Big brother in the front of the raft, almost ran over the girls moving backwards once the front went over. We made a perfect landing and moved to the bank where the kids immediately began to scout a way to take the raft up for another run. By this time, I was way too tired to drag the raft anywhere (we had been out about 4 hours and MrsChili36 and I provided most of the paddling). After playing and swimming at the falls, we made the last leg back to the landing at Hardy. The kids began to make plans on the next trip while MrsChili36 went to work making tacos.


The kids really want to go backpacking, but for the time being, they want to be on the water more. Looks like we will have to make another trip in about a month. I think we might attempt the upper section in a raft next time. We’ll see how well they like rapids after that trip.

If they are still addicted, I guess a trip to East TN for more serious white water will be in the works for next year.”

“Take them to the Ocoee, chili. It's guided, but it's a lot of fun.

Sounds like y'all had a pretty good time on this trip though!”

“Good on ya both.”

“WooHoo!!

I wanna go !!”

“souns like the whole chili family had a great weekend. Glad all of the kids are into the outdoor activites.”

“Taco flavored kisses”

“Glad yall had a great time. I'd love to see a pic of yall falling off that 4' falls.”

“Sounds like a fun time.”

“Chili, that is a cool report. Kids can make or break these outtings sometimes. Sounds like you had some happy campers there. Glad you had such a good time...”

“MrsChili and I are blessed to have really good kids.”

“just wait till you have your own little chili's running around”

“why?
why?
why?
why?
why?
why?
why?
why?
why?

This is all I heard the entire time we were there!!!! WHY?”

“'aint going to happen, ewker

Three is enough. Besides, after you get the coolers in, there isn't any more room in the raft for more kids.”

“Because!”

“That's my anwer, tb. MrsChili took more time giving the answer....sort of opened herself up to more "why" questions until she put a stop to it (rather effectively, I might add)”

“What state and in what area did this trip take place?”

“Right, Chili! 'Why' can be a never ending loop in the questioning process. Can you imagine that during a deposition? lol”

“no more answers, honey”

“Why?


:) j/k Ms C!”

“Ozark mountains in Arkansas”

“very funny tb”

“mountainmaster, Spring River, near Hardy, Arkansas

....I guess that is pretty vital information for a trip report,,,LOL.”

“Thanks, Chili.”

“I have forbidden my children to ask "Why?" when I tell them to do something. The answer is always the same, "Because I told you to."

We are still working through this.”

“When I was a kid, my father always had an answer for everything. I remember that whenever i said 'why' to him, he would retort with, "Y is a crooked letter." To which I would basically scratch my head, laugh and walk away.”

“Thanks chili, AND howdy MRSchili?Yo bear!”

“bp, I am convinced it is a never ending process.”

“At least until the little #&%!$s move out...lol...”

“Sounds fun! Glad your kids picked up fast and enjoyed the adventure.”