Lincoln McCaffrey, 10, of Franklinville New Jersey, starts paddling quickly down the Androscoggin River at the launch of the Bethel Outdoor Adventure Tubing and Treasure Hunt on Sunday afternoon.
BETHEL — Day 2 of the MollyOckett weekend in Bethel Sunday offered family fun, a swift river for tubing, and precious treasure at Bethel Outdoor Adventure and Campground.
Jeff and Patty Parsons, owners of the campground, said they’ve been organizing the Bethel Outdoor Adventure Tubing and Treasure Hunt for six years now, after the Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce said they wanted to make MollyOckett Day into a weekend event.
“It’s weather dependent, of course,” Patty said.
Approximately 40 adults and children registered for the event.
Participants first floated down the Androscoggin River on inflatable tubes, from the campground to Davis Park. They then had to walk back to the campground via the paved walking trail, find five gems and get five “punches” on their map, using their given clues. All as fast as they could.
The individuals and families participating seemed to believe the hardest part of the event was getting in the river and staying on course once in the water.
“Stay river right,” Jeff said, “or you’ll go right into Rumford and over the falls.”
The tubers were herded to the right of the river by campground staff in kayaks. Some participants struggled in the current; others appeared to enjoy the fight.
Leilanie LaPrade, 9, of Connecticut said she was excited to tube by herself for the first time, without being tethered to her parents’ tubes.
She wasn’t nervous at all, she said.
“I feel good — I get a break from these two,” she said, gesturing toward her parents, Sandy and Tom.
The two popular tubing positions were placing one’s legs through the hole in the tube and sitting on one edge or lying on top of the tube.
Scott and Michelle St. Pierre of Buckfield, who were staying at Littlefield Beaches, said that lying on top was the best position.
The tubers quickly separated into two groups — those who were determined to win the race and those who wanted to enjoy a leisurely float downstream.
“We’re the tired crew,” said the St. Pierres. “The current is stronger than it looks.”
Bennett Best, 11, of Savannah, Georgia, was in it to win it, he said, and hopeful he would find his favorite gem, watermelon tourmaline, which is characterized by a pink and green pattern, making it look like a slice of watermelon.
“It’s meant to be a day of fun for families,” Jeff said.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
