03 July 2010

On Friday I left work a little early so I could go rafting with my family down the Main Fork of the Payette River. It was a pretty good day. We came into the last rapid, AMF (Adios Mother Flipper) turned wrong and a big wave flipped the raft over. I spent a few seconds underneath the raft and got banged around a bit by the rowing frame, but we were able to recover everyone and only came out missing an oar and a couple pairs of shoes. I'm feeling it a bit today, though, as every one of my limbs has got some sort of bump, bruise, or strain. Going through the last part of the rapid in my life jacket was an interesting experience. The waves look big when you're in the raft, but they look even bigger when you're down in the water. I was on the oars when we flipped, and I think it could have been avoided if someone with more experience had been steering. The boat kind of got away from me after the first couple of waves.

I'm glad we went when we did, as on the drive home the road headed up to the river was bumper to bumper with everyone going up for the long weekend. We beat the crowds by a couple of hours, which was nice. To me there's nothing worse than trying to enjoy the outdoors surrounded by a couple hundred thousand other people.

Tonight we had a friend over for dinner, and then we played Super Smash Bros. on the Wii for the rest of the evening. That was pretty fun, although my thumbs are getting a bit sore from so much video gaming. Not to the point that they'd get when I was younger and I had to put Band-Aids on them to squeeze a few more hours in, but they're pretty sore. Now it's time to get to bed, as the boy will wake up early whether we want him to or not.

5 comments:

  1. Be careful...That carpal thumb syndrome can "hand"icap you for life...!?!?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Aw I miss rafting! There's no water here. The closest I have come to rafting is a fat kid jumping in the POOL... I'd rather swim in a pesticide infested drainage canal next to a floating dead cat.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I really wish I could have gone w/ you. Stinkin' work! Next time...next time...

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am really glad I did not go with you - usually the boat only capsizes when I am there (according to your Mom - yeah right, I guess it is only when I or Chris are there) Glad everyone is okay and survived!

    ReplyDelete