| Written by Brent Fidler on Wednesday, 06 May 2009 00:59
 Printer Friendly |
Often times when I’m stuck inside and living in the world of
repetition, I begin to daydream. I imagine myself outdoors; I take
myself to a place I have been before - a place where I can feel the
breeze, the sun against my face, and hear the gently flowing river.
I’m
transported back to a recent ATS instructor kayaking retreat. The date
is March 29, 2009 and I’m in Black Canyon of the Colorado River, just
below Hoover dam. We’re kayaking eight miles up the river to our
camping destination. I yell, “Travis, this is the coolest camp spot
ever. Are you sure the river won’t rise too high during the night?”
“It shouldn’t”, replied Travis. Then out of the shadows walks a
Scottish man who says the river has been flooding our camp area and we
should move to higher ground. Luckily, my Sierra Designs two-man tent
already pitched is an easy move with a hand from Travis. Minutes later
the mighty Colorado is indeed flooding over our first choice of
campsites. |
 All the instructors camping gear is now successfully moved to higher
ground and we decide to hike up to the natural hot springs. It’s dark,
but the sky is clear and the stars are bright. As we find our way
through the canyon with our headlamps on, we reach a ladder. It’s 20
feet tall and from the looks of it, very old. “You first,” I say to
Chase!. He checks to make sure the ladder is still safe and slowly
finds his way to the top. When I finally reach the top, after letting
six other instructors go ahead of me, I feel the breeze pushing through
the canyon. It’s perfect weather; mid 70’s at night with the rocks
releasing the heat that was gathered throughout the day. The three
natural hot spring pools are a mere 30 yards from the ladder. As we
head further through the canyon the pools get hotter. After a long day
of kayaking, most of us choose to relax our muscles in the hottest pool.
The
campfire is too hot, so I move back a couple of feet. The Getskow
brothers did a great job building the fire and keeping it burning. I
love the smell of campfire and the sweet smell will probably remain on
me for days when I return back to civilization. I’m getting weary and
the smoke blowing in my eyes only makes me more tired. “Goodnight
guys!”
As I’m lying in my tent I unzip the
top so I can see the beautiful stars. Minutes later I’m passed out.
Early the next morning I’m awakened by the Scottish friend we met the
night before. He wants coffee! |
| Sadly two days later, it's time to head back. We all hop in to our
kayaks and paddle downstream. Tomorrow we will be back at work
dreaming and waiting until our next adventure! AAAAaaaawwwwwoooooo! |
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