Floating the Boise River is certainly an adventure on the water, but getting to Barber Park to start or end the trip means making the 6-mile journey by land. For many floaters, that ride comes with an unexpected history lesson f rom a local legend known as "River Rat Rick".Along the route to Barber Park, he shares stories about the areas past.Were on a pathway of history, Rick said. If you look over to your right, youll see the first monument; the first marker kinda looks like an obelisk that marks the Oregon Trail," Rick said, as he pointed out an Oregon Trail marker to riders. WATCH | Meet River Rat Rick River Rat Rick keeps Boise river floaters laughing and learning along the Oregon TrailMore than 150 years ago, thousands of settlers traveled the same route along the Boise River in covered wagons.There are 17 monuments that the historical society has placed, all telling different stories about the Oregon Trail, Rick said.Rick explained many floaters, even long-time Boise natives, are surprised to learn the Oregon Trail runs through Boise.RELATED | Boise River floating season approaches; here's what you need to know to stay safeI didnt know that was the Oregon Trail, so that was kind of cool, said Scott Sawyer who was among the riders who got an impromptu history lesson on the bus ride.Hes cool, he gave us a lot of information," Sawyer said. "I never got to sit up front to hear anybody talk, so its actually good to get the history lesson so to speak on the way back.But being a bus driver was never on Rick's radar until he heard that 50 bus drivers had quit from his granddaughters school district during the COVID-19 pandemic.And Im thinking to myself, youve got to be kidding me, we've got to get these kids to school someones gotta do it, Rick said.That was six years ago. Since then, Rick has driven skiers in the winter on the Bogus Basin shuttle, floaters in the summer on the river float shuttle and students during the school year for West Ada.In the winter, Id be Ski Bum Rick, and during the summer Id be River Rat Rick, and starting in two weeks, August 12, Ill be School Bus Rick, he said.Rick turns 73 this year and said he plans to keep driving as long as there is a need. You can try to catch him driving shuttles 4-days a week during the float season.This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been, in part, converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy. ...read more read less