Whitewater Rafting
Whitewater rafting, that's right I went rafting down the middle Ocoee River today. I have always wanted to do this. It just so happened a rather special friend Teri graduated college the day before to celebrate we went rafting. The middle Ocoee River has 3 or 4 class IV rapids. Starting out I was in the middle of 3 rows with my friend Teri, at the very first set of rapids, class IV called grumpy we lost one of the crew and another fell overboard, we recovered her. Oh, and our pilot broke her paddle to steer the raft. Once we made it thru that first set we collected our missing member. I moved to the front while Teri stayed in the middle. Our pilot used the paddle of the girl that bailed at the first rapids. At the next set of class IV rapids I was ejected quite rapidly from the boat. They paddled towards me and pulled me into the raft. All the while I'm saying "I'm having a blast". Teri was scared for me when I left the raft even though I told her I would be just fine. The rest of the 5 miles was fun at every turn and dip. At one point our pilot got major air...like 6 or 8 feet and landed back in the raft. Being in the front I found out is the toughest place to be in those rafts. There is no place to "lock" yourself in. The other rows you can slip toe under the seat tube in front of you and your other foot under you on the seat tube. The front row has none of this. But I rose to the challenge and stayed in the raft the rest of the trip. I lead the count for each stroke kind of like the task Masters on galley ships. The day was overcast and not very hot. Total of 2 1/2 hrs on the river, 3 people ejected from the raft, one broken paddle, scrapes and bumps all equal and amazing first time whitewater rafting.
That is enough for now.
Be good to each other.
Bye for now.
Be well and Safe.
Rickford
That is enough for now.
Be good to each other.
Bye for now.
Be well and Safe.
Rickford