Monday, July 23, 2007

Bunk Falls, 7-23-07, 5:15 p.m.

Let me tell those of you who don't know, where Bunk Falls are. When you put in at the second crossing, you float aways, start veering on the the little rapids to the left, then you're in front of
Frio Country cabins. You're still headin downriver(hopefully)through some good little rapids, a deeper spot by a big rock, then slows down a bit. Up ahead, you'll see some boulders, and begin to hear the water going through them. This is known as Daddy B's Bathtubs. Goin through the boulders with the water runnin fast as it is now, is akin to being the ball in a pinball machine. FUN! Just hang on tight, and go with the flow. Now you're headin towards the falls, up ahead several hundred yards. As you get closer, you'll start hearing the roar of the water, as your adrenaline level rapidly increases.
You have two choices...
(1) Women, children, and the not so athletic, exit left around the falls.
(2) Men, send the beverage buggy, your sunshades, LW & T, anything loose, with the folks goin around the falls. It's just you & your tube/kayak. Now show em how it's done.(see next picture)

Sure, it's loud and fast and... so. GO FOR IT! If you fall out(hence the name falls), just stand up or swim with the current. There are no deep holes at Bunk Falls, but there are some hydraulics that may keep you against them when you go over. And sometimes, you shoot over smooth, and keep on floatin. I've ate it, and I've made it. I've looked like a pro, and a few times...not.
It is very possible to bang your head, knees, and other body parts, anywhere on the River, so be safe and use good judgement. Especially when it involves the little ones.


Apprehension.....(sorry about the blur, but had to use it)


Fear.....


Exhilaration!


The Exit Left group, also known as The Walkarounds.

Just havin fun guys. We sat down at Bunk Falls this evening with Hondo Spence, takin these pics and a lot more for this here BLOG. Hondo is the son of the late Bunk Spence, whom the falls are named for.
Men, women, and children were going over the falls. Some made it, most ate it, nobody was hurt, and they're probably back in camp tonight telling their stories.
Great entertainment!
See Yall FrioMan



p.s. If you do decide to go over Bunk Falls, please give your valuables to a friend or family member going around them. If you don't, when you come up for air, they will probably be gone. And MOST IMPORTANT. If you carry your beverages across, you will most likely lose them. Unfortunately, unless it's full cans of brewskies, too many folks just let em go. That's unacceptable. Please take care of our Frio River. It's yours too.

2 comments:

staken said...

I have been watching the frio for a week or so. We are heading down there on Thursday the 26th of July. I have noticed that it has been up for the past few days and I am worried because I have small children. Plus we are crossing the Comanche Creek Crossing to get to our cabin. Should I worry about putting my kids in the river or can I even cross that crossing to get to our cabin at all? Thanks a bunch!

Stacy

Mimi said...

Bunk falls is one of my favorite places along the frio! Great place to snap some fun and pretty photos of friends and family. We always take pics at the falls- I even have one of me and my dear husband before we were married sitting in the water in front of the falls many moons ago.

Last year the water was so low you could easily get up under the falls and see all the names etched into the rock- does not look like that would be so easy to do this year but it does look like tons of fun to go down on a tube! I can't wait. Thanks again Frioman for posting the pics- I really enjoy the blog.
Have a good night!
Mimi