Summer Issue 2016

The Portland Ice Cream Mega List!

Avoid Those Long Ice Cream Lines by Visiting These Local Shops.

The Definitive Ranking of Ice Cream Flavors

(That Also Happens to Be Inarguably Correct)

Portland's Top Boozy Smoothies

Our Picks of the City's Best Alcoholic Slushies

Summer Wines Make Me Feel Fine

The Best Summer Wines and Where to Drink Them

Subterranean Bars for the Sun-Phobic.

Hate the Sun? Drunk? Have We Got the List for You!

Summer Patio Roundup

A Few of Portland's Best Patios for Sippin' and Sunnin'

The Stoner Games

Perfect Summer Games to Play Under the Influence of Weed

Into the Wilderness with Outdoor Afro

Inviting African Americans Back to Nature

Tube Tips for Summer Floating

Hit the River with Confidence

Is a Travel Trailer Right for You?

It's Like Bringing Your House with You

Camping for the Not-So-Adventurous

A Quick and Dirty Guide of Close Spots to Camp

Cliff Jumping: How to Have Fun (and Stay Alive)

The Dos and Absolute DON'TS of Swim Spot Jumping

SITTING BY THE RIVER drinking water beers is boring! I want to drink AND float AND maybe do a flip in my floatie! Mmm... which is how I almost drowned at 4 pm on a beautiful Sunday. However, maybe you aren't as recklessly stupid as I am, and you just want to sit back and enjoy a restful summer ride. Either way, here are a few tips for a float fancier or a first-time tuber:

CarsThe two-car system is the best way to river tube. Leave one car at your tubing endpoint—take a moment to look for easy landmarks to identify this part of the river later—then pack everyone super tight into the second car to get to your starting spot. Couples and close friends may lap-sit. A terse fight between driver and navigator is customary.

BrosHell is drunken sunburned bros. For reasons unknown, day-drinking turns people into monsters. Floating down the river increases the amount of people you pass, and the number of drunken jocks who will start fights or cruise your friends. True, that doesn't sound relaxing! So pull over, and take a break on the river's edge until the team of obnoxious drowners-to-be float past.

River ChoiceThe Sandy and the Clackamas are popular rivers to float if you're feeling social. Getting farther away from Portland (like the Umpqua) is better for bro control. People in the country already don't want to be around other people. That's why they live in the country!

On the WaterYou need to be in that water (and floating) by noon. Tubing takes a WHILE (schedule for three to six hours depending on your route), and you need to do it during the hot part of the day. Floating in river water means you're in the icy runoff of majestic mountain snow. It is icy cold. If you're in the water when the sun goes down, say hello to hypothermia.

Your GarbageIf you bring it on your tube, it's going in the drink. That means your snacks. That means your glasses. If polluting our natural splendor bothers you, floating on the river almost certainly makes you a polluter. Cans get away. Tubes flip suddenly. Even with triple Ziploc, your phone might still end up at the bottom of the river. At some point, I started trying to bring biodegradable stuff like carrots and cherries in paper bags. I've lost a number of water bottles, much to my shame. Tie your car keys to your person.

TubesI often see people tubing in those big black truck tubes you buy at the auto part store. While it may seem classy and minimal, here's the reality: Black tubes in the sun on a hot summer day are insanely hot. When they hit the cold water, they may even pop! Then you're in the middle of the river run, and very far away from either car. Just get a regular, tricked-out float tube like everyone else. (Especially those with can holders and plastic grips. Those are also very useful for sweet flips.)