Madison Hash House Harriers

August 23, 2008

HASH HISTORY - HASH RUN #1620 - RD's Last Annual Birthday and River Float

The weather this year was fabulous compared to last year's pouring rain for the annual run and tubing float on the Wisconsin River near Spring Green. Due to technical issues there were only 20 tubes available so several hashers brought their own floatation devices. A small pack of about 10 hashers dropped their devices at the Highway 14 Bridge before heading to the start of the run at Bob's Riverside Resort. About 25 hashers showed up for RD's highly shiggyfied trail set with assistance from co-hare JELLY BOOBS. The trail started with a long backcheck in the campground and this split the pack in half, with one group just continuing on and the other returning to run the true trail through shiggy. Eventually, there was a fine beer check back near civilization before the run continued east and over a severe drop off just before finishing at the treacherous Highway 14 Bridge. The runners were joined by a few who didn't run including bicyclists Fish Head Ted and Just G Rae. After much pre-float preparation, the hashers eventually launched and set out on the great float. Probably the most interesting and appropriate floatation device was LITTLE KAHUNA's floating surf board. There was very little acting up so things were relatively calm and the beer flowed smoothly for most of the trip. There was an effort to go wide of a few islands that were ignored in the past so there was a bit of new scenery along the way. It was one of these side trips that caused a landing on an island just before returning to Bob's. There was plenty of beer left and the sun was still up so ceremonies were conducted on the island sandbar. Although there were attempts to throw hashers off the island along with their awards, everyone was allowed to stay. Most of the usual suspects were awarded including two "new boots" who glided up in a canoe claiming that the hash was the only good party on the river that day. The big down-down though was for RD's birthday and final river float. He is giving up the hare duties to whomever will take them. Eventually the floatilla moved on and landed back at Bob's completing the float without any loss of life or beer. RD held the post float meal at one of the camping shelters and everyone trickled away into the night after a fine ending to RD's tubing hash career.