Missing the water.

Gear: wicking shirt/shorts, bathing suit, hat, glasses, life vest, lotsa sunscreen and H2O

I have always had a love for water, mainly because I grew up on the Scioto River. I was so lucky to have spent my summers swimming, rafting, sail boating, water skiing and winters were for ice-skating. I never knew how lucky I was until I realized that there weren't many people who had a river directly behind their house with a dock to perch on to sunbathe, read books or just play on. My husband grew up in Rhode Island with the ocean mere minutes from his house and a river across the street. He was always playing near or in the water with his friends. We both miss the water, and feel like our kids are kind of missing out since all they have is dirt and grass. Of course, did I appreciate when I was young? No, just kind of thought everyone went clam gathering or fishing right off their backyard docks; but, now I realize I was fortunate, and maybe one day will make the move back to living on the water. We'll see.

Anyhow, I received an email from hubby with pictures from their recent Manly Weekend. This year the guys went white water rafting, which so happens to be something I love. Now, I am not a class 5 kind of gal, but I have been known to get giddy over some crazy rapids. Hubby and I spent our honeymoon on the water. We rafted down the Rogue River for 7 days/6 nights completely away from all civilization...except for the people with us. Luckily, our rafting guide had a satellite phone for any emergencies...like water injuries or bear attacks. I didn't know how intense this trip was going to be until I signed a contract that said the company wouldn't be sued if I died. Yes folks, signed my life away for my honeymoon....well, signed my life away in front a congregation full of onlookers....but I guess hubby was worth it. haha!

Back to the river. It was one of the most amazing trips I had ever taken. Seriously, I didn't think I could ever top it, except when we went again down the Colorado in the Grand Canyon. Both river trips we went with a company called Oars. They make it easy to do the 40 mile trek down river and camping each night. You have to be okay with being wet, hot, cold, dirty, and most of all, pooping in a pickle bucket hoping someone doesn't come sailing down the water while you are wiping your butt. Oh yes - that is certainly part of the trip you have to get used to. Peeing in the river and not worrying that EVERYone knows you are peeing. It really is no big deal...I mean, read the book Everybody Poops...cuz' we all do. :)

Oh - I meant ammo can for poo and pickle bucket for pee.

Being part of nature without all the commotion of cars, cell phones, computers and society is truly spectacular. I was never once afraid. I was never once wishing I was in Greece. I was never once wishing for a bed. I was only wishing that I could remember nature as God intended it to be: beautiful, surreal, breathtaking, inspiring, loving and harsh, and magnificent. Every day you rafted down river X number of miles and at the end of the day you set up camp in a spot off the side the river. You had all of your stuff in wet bags and the company provided the tents for you. Everything was carried in the rafts we took down the Rogue and in dories we took down the Colorado. Each boat has its own river guide and you can choose who you want to row you down each day. River guides are very interesting people. They are pretty much all conservationists, environmentalists, organic and against "big" businesses/corporations. For instance, you probably won't see a river guide drinking Starbucks. At least not the guides I have rafted with...:)

Our camp on the river's edge. Tell me I'm pretty!

Each trip I took one snapshot in my mind that I remember as clearly as if it happened yesterday. The Rogue trip my memory is of the last dinner we had on the river. We were sitting on the water's edge in comfy camping chairs eating spaghetti and drinking wine, when all of the sudden a big black bear came running down the mountain. It was on the other side of the river from us, luckily! It jumped in the water and grabbed a humongo salmon out of the water and ran back up and sat on the side of the mountain and had its dinner with us. While in the middle of its fresh sushi meal, another black bear came down and swiped the fish from his buddy. It was AMAZING to be the close to a wild animal. Especially one as dangerous as a black bear. BUT, keep in mind, black bears are pretty easy to scare away. A little spoon on a pot or pan action will drive the bear from your camp, generally.

The Colorado was a bit more recent and I have lots of memories of that trip, but in particular I remember the night I "slept out." I slept on the ground by the waters edge with no tent, just my sleeping bag. Thankfully hubby made me do it because I had never seen such an amazing sky in all my life. Looking at the shadow of the canyon stretching across the night's shade and seeing the black sky filled with shiny stars was so breathtaking. I was also proud of myself for overcoming my fear of having to be in a tent...and of scorpions.

I hiked up the canyon and this is our camp from above. You can see the boats lined up on the bank.