Tube the Pine & Brule Rivers

FLORENCE – Florence County’s outdoor recreation offerings include the popular inner-tubing on the Pine River oxbow, as well as on the Brule River.

The popularity of the “The Oxbow” is due to its near circular nature in which the river literally brings you almost back to your point of origin, thus enabling the group to forgo a vehicle at the exit point. The take-out is only a quarter mile from your put-in point so no shuttle is needed. The float takes 2-3 hours, depending on the water level. The scenic Pine River is designated a “wild river” with very little development along its banks. There are no real rapids on this float.

When tubing the Brule River, you can put in at the Brule Dam Road and take out at Woods Road. For a shorter trip, put in or take out on Camels Clearing Road.

Nature’s Water Park offers tube rentals at the Oxbow, shuttle service and guided paddle trips. Call 715-889-4693 for reservations. Maps are available at the Wild Rivers Interpretive Center.

Mud Pit to Challenge Drivers

AURORA – Ever since the Aurora Mud Runs’ inception in 1985, they have been drawing thousands of people to Aurora to watch trucks fling mud skyward as they speed through the course. Or they go as far as they can. This year’s family event will be Sunday, Aug. 13 at George Weber Memorial Park, 1060 Calvary Dr., (Aurora).

It’s no easy walk in the park for the drivers who have to use their skills and their vehicle’s abilities to make it through the 180-footlong mud pit. The driver’s first goal is try to make it through the pit, or as far as they can. So, distance is the first benchmark to be judged. Then those drivers who made it all the way through the pit are judged on who did it the fastest to determine the winner.

The annual fundraiser will raise money for a new hall to house the Aurora Rescue Squad unit.

Vehicle registration begins at 7 a.m. Races start at noon. Admission is $5. Children under age 12 enter free. No pets or carry ins are allowed. Rescue squad personnel will serve the food and drinks.