When
we started off we were a little skeptical about the river guides claim
that the water was too high and fast for canoes...
These
fishermen were yelling something... it sounded like "turn back, or the
river will take you all
-
We got some very specific instructions from the guides about how to avoid the potentially dangerous eel traps. It was left under the first bridge, then right around the island, right at the next bridge, right on the second island... or was it left on the island then the second bridge left... It didn't matter we couldn't steer anyway....
Hannah
was using her paddle to try to start a waterfight early on, but she mastered
it quickly and rowed into the rapids like a pro.
I
don't think Charles liked the sound of his nickname "two-stroke." It
was never clear if he earned it because he would only paddle twice or
because he was the little engine that could...
Sue
was pretty happy when we told her she could be captain...
Dale
was skeptical.
-
Emergency manouvres to keep from ramming our sister ship
We
couldn't get Mark to stop with the Mark Meyers impression. He kept biting
his pinkie and offering everyone hot pockets.
We
found a nice rock in the sun, and stopped for lunch. The Coloradoans got
their first close look at poison ivy, but we haven't started itching yet...
Dale
was giving Sue and Hannah a little biology lesson until Hannah startled
the wasp that was hiding in a crack in the driftwood
After
lunch the river got a little rougher, and we had to make an emergency
stop after looking back to see only Vinit still in the second raft. He
helped Shawn and Charles back in, but it looked suspiciously like they
were trying to pry Dales fingers loose.... We had taken on some water
too and needed to wring out some clothes and bail out the boat.
Hannah
warmed up in Sue's socks and shirt and Ray's gloves while we were waiting
for the guys to get their raft afloat again
this
ladybug looked just like Chinese enamel... Anyone know what it is?
...and
the professor too, set sail on a three hour cruise... a three hour cruise
the weather started turning rough, the tiny ship was tossed, if not for
the courage of the fearless crew the minnow would be lost...
They
had a hard time resisting... "come on, if they don't want us in there
it must be because there is something good..."
We
all made it back thanks to the courage of the fearless crews. Also thanks
to Mark for organizing, and treating, everyone had a great time.
-
Sue and Hanah winding down with a doll size fashion show while the guys drank beer and recounted their exploits... the rapids were already getting longer and the wave higher, when the next annual river trip rolls around I'm sure the stories will have become legends... at least in our own minds
