Adventures Rafting a River

“Rollin on the River” frequently entered my mind as I rafted down the Yampa River in late June. The song, originally written by John Fogerty and made popular by Tina Turner, described my experience on the river even though the lyrics offer more depth beyond the fun I had.

I learned years ago that I am a mountain person. I had the opportunity on occasions to go to the ocean when I lived in North Carolina. I also enjoyed rafting in the western Carolina rivers. Hiking in the tall mountain peaks, however, is my happy place.

Nevertheless, while I am lucky to experience those inspirational mountains every day, I also welcome opportunities for “water” breaks. The best of all worlds is a combination of the two as experienced in river canyons. The water provides a means for getting into the heart of areas that would be difficult on foot alone. The hikes we took along the traverse of the Yampa were my favorite as we saw spiral caves, pictographs, and Indigenous artifacts. The river, however, also had its own charm.

The rafted river inspired me in several ways:

• Lounging on a raft paddled by an expert provided relaxation when the water was calm. The Class II and III rapids raised the adrenaline level but also allowed for a huge rush when successfully navigated. The eddies provided the “pause” that became peaceful to experience.
• Going on this guided trip with old friends was a highlight and meeting new folks who also loved the outdoors was gratifying.
• Getting completely away from social media for five days was a blessing and a curse for me. I enjoyed not knowing what was happening in the world on one hand. On the other, I felt anxious NOT knowing. However, no choice existed so “unplugging” allowed me to open myself to all the senses of the experience.
• The six young river guides enthused me. Their leadership was exemplary. Their commitment to helping others appreciate the river and all it had to offer was reassuring that wild areas had a future.
• Two experiences were especially memorable. The 4^th day we paddled silently for about ½ hour with no talking. We could fully absorb the canyons that we travelled. The second experience was the 4^th night when a thunderstorm rolled through the canyon. One could hear the rain on the tent and the cadenced rumbling of the thunder throughout the canyon.

I appreciated the experience of excitement, peacefulness, and appreciation of culture and nature on this rolling river. I remain grateful for ALL the opportunities the outdoors has to offer.