IN SHORT: I brought my family of seven (kids ages 4-15) AND my extended family (their children ages 2 and 5) tubing at Sickman's and let me tell you what, this was the best thing we could've done for our children coming out of a year of COVID drama.
For those wanting a quick review on if this is a great place to bring your kids:
YES! In our family we are ages 2-15 and the grownups are whatever... Do understand this is not a lazy river but tubing in a creek with the most amazing nature display as you go. If you aren't cozy with your children experiencing travel through natural waterways, this won't be for you. However, for us, it was perfect. We felt this was exciting and lively as well as peaceful to the benefit from the oldest in our family to the youngest.
For those wanting an overall review on if this was a good use of money:
YES! We spent 5 hours of our day there today after planning to only spend 2. We couldn't leave the exciting, laid back, back-yard-hangs element that came to us after the float. Drinks at Jimmy's, really nice yard games and delicious food AND THEN friends we haven't seen in a year just peppered in unexpectedly. This experience was a heart-filler!
For those wanting a poetic review, because why not:
After a year of loss, ups and downs and living solely in our own sphere, we treaded quite lightly toward our first summer activity as a family today. We weren't unwise to choose Sickman's Mill as our first outing!
All seven of us in our tubes floated under a tree canopy, feet in the cool water, hands touching rocks and branches while we were forced to take in the benefits of nature as a family with no phones and sat in silence that was only interrupted by the sounds of birds and the occasional laughter of neighboring tubers. The children, like the adults in our family, have been starved of the elements and filled with screen activity and separation for over a year.
To share the rush of water over rocks, the blue dragonflies on logs in the creek and the feeling of current under all of us in our own tubes was a gift not just to the children but to the parents too. I've rather powerlessly seen my children move through dashed expectations for a year. I know what that's like to experience myself and how it leaves me. I also know how the natural elements can restore a weary heart AND... like water in the desert... Today my husband and I sat in tubes on the river and watched our children's tanks fill up to the top as they took in each exciting rush through rapids, push off of muddy banks when they got stuck and then the peace in their face when the current kept us close and the creek was still with us. UGH! The contrast!! I saw them frustrated with screens with no relief until last month. Today, I saw them respond to what the creek gave them and the joy we came out of it with, I swear is enough tank-filler for another year of unknowns. read more