I didn't mean to question your love of boating vs. some sort of social club. Your post just brought to mind something that I've noticed about paddling in general. I've made some runs with the right group of people and it was great, but I've also been a part of the big social club floats and it was a circus which to me detracts from the experience. Mainly what I'm saying is that part of what I enjoy about paddling is getting away from people. Not that I want to be alone, just that I'd prefer to be around just 2 or 3 of the kind of people that help enhance the experience.