What was your worst river trip?

[niceguyeddie]

I can think of more fun weekends than not, but sometimes that pain in the ass trip will come. Does anyone have one to tell us about?


My story started with the time I got a flat trailer tire with no spare in NewBurry Springs at 11pm on a Friday of a Holiday Weekend. Now since I had a single axle trailer, it's needless to say that I was fucked. It took about 4.5 hours for a service truck to come and mount a new tire. I had to unhook the boat and drive back to Barstow in Walmart (the closest place that sold tires). They were actually closing and the automotive dept was long ago closed, but the manager said he'd be at the front waiting for me (after telling him my story of course). I really didn't believe him, but I unhooked my boat and drove over there anyways. When I pulled up he was standing outside with the tire I needed! Wow! It was a trip walking into a dark Walmart after hours. They took me to an register and wrung me up. I tried tipping the guy and he wouldn't take it. So I thanked him and left.

So I return to my boat and wait. Around 3:30am a tow truck pulls up and tells me here's here to save the day. I found it awkward that he showed up on a flat bed tow truck with zero tools or an air compressor. So as I'm questioning his lack of equipment my real driver shows up. Well I guess there's a little war with local tow truck guys outta Victorville and Barstow trying to steal each other's business. So these guys were ready duke it out on the side of the highway until I broke them up. Looking back I should have just let them fight. It would've been entertaining. Besides I think my guy could' have taken that 1st guy. But on second thought I was tired and there wasn't much time for fucking around so I paid the 1st guy $20 and thanked him for stopping so he'd leave. Well he did. Which them made it possible for the dude I called to mount my new tire, run my credit card for $360 and send me on my way.

Just to clarify something... This was before internet on cell phones.

I thought of this story after reading Grad's "Found On Road Dead" thread. I swore to never cross that desert without a fair amount of tools that I might need should I run into trouble. I always pack a cooler too.


Well we arrive to the to the house at about 7-8am. I get about 3 hours of sleep and go to launch the boat. We head out of the marina, float down river for about 5 mins and bang! Blown starter. Sea tow to the rescue! I can't remember what that cost. Of course I'm in a bad mood and say screw it, lets get off the boat on the trailer, and take the skis out. I hop on my 550, ride it for ten minutes and bang! Exhaust pipe cracks.

My group isn't happy and wants to go home. We'll I pretty much turn into Clark Grizwald and tell them I think they're all fucked in the head.



Well on the way home. Someone backs into my truck at In N Out in Barstow. And you wouldn't believe it. They forgot to leave a note.



What's your worst weekend at the river?