For Some Businesses, No Need to Rebound from Pandemic

With pandemic-related concerns easing, many businesses and activities are experiencing a revival. But for some, business never went away.

It’s early Saturday morning, and in the parking lot of Brewers Canoers and Tubers in Valentine, Mary Mercure is about to go pick up people who want to float down the Niobrara River.

“We’re going to go pick up people at the Raine Motel and then at the Tradewinds, and then we’re headed to the rive,” Mercure says.

Mercure guides the old school bus through Valentine, the north central Nebraska town that’s the jumping off point for people who want to float down the scenic Niobrara River. She says it’s been a busy year so far – but not as busy as last year, when the pandemic was in full swing.

“It’s slowed down. I mean, last year was the big year, and that was for everybody. People were camping. The river corridor was full with tenters, again, and campers. But they were tired of being cooped up, you could tell,” she says.

Numbers of Brewers customers served in May and June back up the point. Last year, there were about 1,350; this year, about 1,250. Brewers is one of more than a dozen outfitters that serve customers on the river.

One of those who came last year is Ryan Reifschneider of Mitchell, Nebraska, more than 200 miles away in the state’s panhandle. Reifschneider says recreational options were limited.

“Traveling, tourism, and stuff like that we didn’t get to do near as much as we wanted to. I guess it was nice that we were able to come down here and do this during the pandemic. That’s one of the safest activities to do in a time like that,” Reifschneider says.

And while the number of customers may be down slightly from last year, Reifschneider’s experience suggests that trend may not last.

“Last year was our first year with Brewers Tubers and Canoers, and first year ever in Valentine. And man, we had such a great time and great experience, I went home and told all my friends and brought 12 of ‘em back. And maybe next year we can bring 20,” he says.

Another person on the river, Mary Schaaf, has been coming here for family reunions for more than 40 years. Schaaf says this year there are 26 family members here, down slightly from 2020.

“Last year, we had 35 Schaafs -- relatives -- come, and you know, the pandemic was really starting. But I’m a retired nurse, I made everybody wash their hands. We didn’t wear a mask, and nobody got sick or anything. We spent a lot of time outside by the campfire,” Schaaf says.

After the bus she’s driving reaches the Berry Bridge launch site, about 10 miles east of Valentine, Mercure helps passengers tries to orient them on the float trip they’re about to take.

“Do I need to give you guys maps, again?” she asks.

“Maps?” one man asks.

“Yeah. Of the river.”

Ah – we’ll just float down the river”

“I don’t want to pick you up at Rocky Ford. That’s a long walk, let me tell you,” Mercure says, referring to a spot five miles past the intended takeout point.

“There’s usually somebody friendly along the river we can call and say ‘Hey, this is where we made it to,’” the man replies.

But with spotty cell phone coverage in this rugged country, that’s hardly a guarantee. Eventually, Mercure briefs one of the leaders on the route. Then, it’s time to get onto the river.

A team of young men drag towable tubes down a concrete ramp to the river, where they hook them together in groups of up to 10. Meanwhile, the tubers discuss what supplies they’re bringing in their coolers for the four-or five- hour trip.

“I got some Busch Lite. It’s pretty watered down,” one man says.

“How many beers do you think?” asks another.

“That’ll be fine. It’s calories. It’s calories, it’ll keep ‘em going,” a woman chimes in.

Then, it’s time to wade into the river and get on the tubes. “Can you hold this? Can you hold me?” a woman asks.

“Get in there wimpy,” a man says, as the group laughs.

By the time a group passes under Brewer Bridge, a couple of hours later, it sounds like they’re having a good time. Latin music plays, a nerf football flies, and shouts and whoops pierce the air.

And so they beat on, tubes with the current, borne forward ceaselessly toward the takeout point.