No cell phone? No TV? No computers? What do you do with yourselves?

One of the best things about our trips to the river is that we "unplug." No, we have electricity. Heck, depending on the type of place you rent, you can have air conditioning, a frig, a stove and even a microwave. But most cell phone service is non-existent. There is no TV.*

Of course, some equipment does work. You can have a boom box.** There is Wifi at the office.*** At least two people in our group had Kindles.****

So, what do we do?

We:

Talk
Play dominoes
Swim
Float the river

Heading to start the last float of the trip

Skip stones

DH skipping stones

Climb "mountains"

Four intrepid family members climbed "Old Baldy"

Stalk exotics (Mostly blackbuck and axis)
Count bunnies
Identify birds
Take photos
Tell stories
Tease children
Tease adults
Play Frisbee*****
Eat bacon

Breakfast -- Where's the bacon?

Play cards
Identify wildflowers

Green milkweed vine (pretty sure)

Meet new people
Visit with old friends (Yeah, that means you, KJ!)
Play practical (and unpractical) jokes
Pick up trash (on the river and around the campsites)

Yellow mesh trash bag, well used.

Swap treats (peaches, s'mores, tootsie roll pops, candy, toys)
Freeze underwear (Doesn't everyone?)
Play putt-putt
Dance
Nap
Wade in the river
Pick up rocks (mostly those with holes)

Perfect for making a "swimming necklace"

Remember
Plan
Catch insects (not so much anymore, but there were some amazing collections filled with hill country bugs)

Beetle, mountain laurel seeds (beans?), rock

Pick up driftwood
Letterbox
Save seeds
Trade reading material
Scour antique and junk stores (6 shops this year)

Eat in local cafes
Drink (only in moderation)
Share meals (did I mention the bacon?)
Laugh
Watch the sun rise

Sunrise over Cabin #4

Watch the sun set

Relax
Catch up
Work crossword puzzles
Cheat at crossword puzzles
Sabotage other people's crossword puzzles

Eat ice cream
Catch lightning bugs
Fish

Fisherman at the pond

Canoe
Kayak
Count our blessings
Marvel at the beauty of it all

NOTES:

* Of course, this year I saw a portable satellite dish! Sorry, not for me. Thank you.
** There were people on the river, God bless them, who shared their bad taste in music and worse manners with all of us.
***I will admit that I did a little work during our stay. I was supposed to be "graduated" by now, but am not. So I needed to answer email and check in - it is our busy time. [I was righteously punished as the light of my computer screen attracted every manner of irritating flying and biting insect.]
****I am old fashioned. I brought books and magazines...made of REAL paper.
***** Nothing like a game at night with glowing Frisbees!

LINKS:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackbuck
http://www.nsrl.ttu.edu/tmot1/cervaxis.htm
http://www.letterboxing.org/


[The above list of activities is subject to change without notice.]