We All Float On

When folks move to Kissing Tree, they experience all kinds of new adventure and things they haven’t done for year, like tubing! Most Mondays in the summer, Lifestyle Director Kevin Wilson leads a gang of merry residents to best tubing, kayaking, and canoeing locales all over Central Texas. Our River Adventure squad takes on rapids and peaceful stretches as they float and paddle the San Marcos and Comal Rivers.

Monday Funday

When you’re retired, every day is like Saturday! We hit the rivers on Monday mornings because there are no crowds, and we can enjoy floating with the river to ourselves. Many days, it’s like our own personal river, and depending on the route, we see birds, cows, deer, turtles, and other animals.

Trips normally start between 9 and 10 a.m., and finish by noon and 1 p.m.. In some cases, we have a bus that picks us up at Kissing Tree, and for other trips we meet at a pre-determined spot. Because our group pre-pays and goes together, there’s never a need to stand around or wait in lines.

A River Runs Through It

There are several typical float trips we do: the Comal in New Braunfels, the Don’s Fish Camp routes, and the San Marcos River (often starting at the Lions’ Club Tube Rental). They all have different scenery and advantages. “Everyone loves the tube chute in New Braunfels, because it’s fun right from the beginning,” Kevin says. KT resident Larry Will loves the Upper San Marcos, “It’s so pretty, and the water is crystal clear,” he says. It’s also worth mentioning that Ivar’s Pub, where the route ends, has a margarita special on Mondays.

Our Own KT Mermaids

Larry and Pat Will have lived at Kissing Tree since 2019, and Larry is known for helping those who might be unsure about the water. A self-proclaimed “water rat,” Larry grew up sailing and tubing in Maryland. He and Pat bought their first sailboat in 1986, and their son took his first steps onboard.

Larry and Pat go on most of the River Adventures, and Larry is always willing to lend a helping hand – or a paddle. Once when a fellow resident tumped over and lost her double-sided kayak paddle, Larry gave her his. He and Kevin unscrewed another paddle to share, completing the trip with half a paddle each. Larry is always happy to throw a bright yellow tow rope to fellow tubers who might feel like they’re lagging behind or to steady a tube while someone gets settled. “What he does is just what we all do at Kissing Tree,” Pat says. “That’s just what Kissing Tree is all about!”

We All Float On

If you’re nervous about joining in a KT River Adventure, don’t be. “Start with tubing,” Pat recommends. “You can always wear a life jacket, and on the San Marcos River, you can stand up almost anywhere.” If you’re worried about rapids, you can always skip them. And know that your KT neighbors will be with you to offer a hand anytime you need it!

Want to come tubing with us? You can start using Kissing Tree’s amenities and be a part of the community as soon as you sign your contract. Find your floor plan now, or, if you want to get here sooner, see homes that are already under construction. See you on the water!