Brdofpray
Recycles dryer sheets
The other day, we were invited to go white water rafting on the Chatooga River in South Carolina, our new adopted home. Now, in the past, we have rafted on wild rivers at Glacier Bay National Park, and on the Arkansas in southwest Colorado. But not here in South Carolina. How bad could this be? This river just happens to divide South Carolina from Georgia, and coincidently, is the river that the movie Deliverance was filmed on (do you hear banjo music?). The couple that invited us was in their early 70’s. What could possibly go wrong?
As it turns out this was section IV. Those in the know, (and we were woefully uninformed, which is entirely my fault.) know this is class IV and V rapids. Oblivious, we embarked. At the start, it was a great and exhilarating day. At the last of the rapids, Sock’em Dog, our guide led us into the maelstrom. My DW and I paddled hard. We were slammed into the bottom of the raft, but made it through. Our guide was not as lucky. She was vaulted out of the raft and hit her head. She emerged, what seemed minutes (actually seconds) later, face down, floating down the river. I tripped my way through the rocks in the shallows, trying to get to deep water to help. With bruised shins, I failed. Fortunately others in a Kayak, from behind, made it to her, and pulled her to safety. We evacuated the river. Our guide had a concussion, and water in her lungs. However, she will be OK!
Two weeks later a group from Florida made a similar trip through these exact same rapids, with the exact same outfitter. They were not so lucky. One of their members was thrown into the river, pulled down by the swirling currents, and has yet to be recovered.
DW and I are feeling fortunate, blessed, and no longer have the urge to go white water rafting any time soon. Count your blessings, and pick your bucket list items carefully.
As it turns out this was section IV. Those in the know, (and we were woefully uninformed, which is entirely my fault.) know this is class IV and V rapids. Oblivious, we embarked. At the start, it was a great and exhilarating day. At the last of the rapids, Sock’em Dog, our guide led us into the maelstrom. My DW and I paddled hard. We were slammed into the bottom of the raft, but made it through. Our guide was not as lucky. She was vaulted out of the raft and hit her head. She emerged, what seemed minutes (actually seconds) later, face down, floating down the river. I tripped my way through the rocks in the shallows, trying to get to deep water to help. With bruised shins, I failed. Fortunately others in a Kayak, from behind, made it to her, and pulled her to safety. We evacuated the river. Our guide had a concussion, and water in her lungs. However, she will be OK!
Two weeks later a group from Florida made a similar trip through these exact same rapids, with the exact same outfitter. They were not so lucky. One of their members was thrown into the river, pulled down by the swirling currents, and has yet to be recovered.
DW and I are feeling fortunate, blessed, and no longer have the urge to go white water rafting any time soon. Count your blessings, and pick your bucket list items carefully.