Sat, Jul 8 2006 - Tubing: The Elora Gorge (View Original Event Details)
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Well, this was a comedy of errors
From the initial discovery that Google maps was incorrect, to the large number of no-shows (!) to the sign that informed us that the tubing equipment was sold out, to the lack of coverage (except for Telus...yay Telus), the day started off as an exercise in frustration. Or as Jason put it - how much longer before Steph totally loses it?!? Unfortunately for Jason, but happily for everyone else, I managed to get back on track long enough to make the executive decision to head over to the Elora Quarry, see what's there. A few members, like Chuck and Jo, remembered that it was a fun place to be, so we said what the heck, let's go.
The Quarry was packed, but the water was nice and the water babies among us jumped right in and headed for the rocks on the other side. Cindy, Jason and Avinash seemed quite happy with getting some sun, at least they were happy to avoid getting in the water. Mike was in the water briefly, but spent more time on the beach. Chuck jumped off the middle height twice but we missed him - we heard him calling my name, but missed the jump. We watched in amazement those crazy kids doing backflips and dives, and the guys jumping from the very top of the cliffs. Tricia freaked out every time someone was up there, although we all got in on cheering them on as they hesitated at the top. Jo, Jurgen and I tested out our cannonballs, then Jo, Tricia and I demonstrated some syncho moves. Gerry pushed his limits in swimming out with us, and worried about the seaweed pulling him down, and was particularily worried about someone slipping on the wet rocks. So, I managed to oblige him by slipping on the wet rocks and falling in. But, it was oh, so graceful :)
After a few hours we decided to head back to try the tubing again. This time tubes were available, but we found Bill (to be said in an english accent, thanks to Elliot, who was NOT there, but we felt he was there in spirit). Bill told us the tubing was boring - actually sucked, as the water levels were too low, and you had to actually push the tube at times and when you did hit the rapids, you got scraped up with by the rocks below. It didn't seem worth the time, money or effort and we were all hungry and ready for beer. We decided to head back and rendezvous at the Goose and 12 of us made it back there and spent a few pleasant hours on the patio
Overall I think we ended up having a fun time and since a number of us wiill be heading out to Bon Echo this weekend, we have some great ideas for water and beach fun. Sometimes when things mess up, the results are better than expected!
Have some photos from this event that you'd like to share in our photo album? Please forward them to Erik Sonstenes at photos@torontooutdoorclub.com. Please note that we prefer to receive the photos in approximately 640x480 or 750x500 pixels - do NOT send original high-res photos. If you have a LOT of photos, please submit up to twenty of your favorites (only) for a day event, or up to forty of your favourites for a multi-day event. Thank you.