Terry Traveler – Goes White Water Rafting

Terry Traveler here, your loyal world tourist. I think you’re ready to hear about the 22nd time I almost died.

Like the 21 times before, the day started like any other. I found myself thrown into a group of thrill seekers, headed west to surmount an unknown challenge.

The trip was long, and no one seemed to appreciate my rendition of Tiptoe Through the Tulips on the portable bagpipes.

I don’t know why, as they opted to play something they called EDM for the entire 12 hour trip, a noise which sounded to me like a chorus of heartbeats and injured cats. To each their own, I suppose.

Once we reached our destination, we then hiked another 4 miles into the wilderness. It was a pleasant walk as I am most at home when I have no idea where I am, or where I am going.

Finally, we reached a wooden cabin and met Ted, our Whitewater Rafting Tour Guide. I was happy to have brought my towel for such an expedition. Ted was a happy young man of 20, set on giving us the ride of our lives down the river and through the mountains. None of the tourist rapids for us, the group cheered, we were set for an adventure.

After what seemed like hours of training and miles of legal releases, we were ready to tackle the rapids. Feet locked into our little boat, we rowed down stream at 760 cubicle inches of water per minute- I have no idea how to translate that to miles per hour, so lets say 4. It felt much like a roller coaster- fast and swooping from rock to rock, with mellow moments of calm right before another fast and swooping stretch.

I was a captain at sea: water splashing over the sides, nautical calls from Ted to “Bank Left and Hold the Tee!”- we traversed those mighty waters as a well oiled machine.

The next thing I remember was the swirl of ice cold Rocky Mountain water, the sounds of hollering, staring at a boulder just inches from my face, and two arms snapping me back into the boat. At that moment we hit the boulder, sending us all flying into the center of the boat, sloshing to and fro with the currents, until settling into a mild little cove of tranquility.

It was an intense 54 seconds, during which I’d like to say my life flashed before my eyes, but it may have been a Sylvester Stallone movie. I don’t remember being a trucker that likes to arm wrestle, but its a wild life being me, so who can say for sure.

This is Terry Traveler saying: don’t be afraid of the unknown destination or the thrills that comes with it. Just remember to take your towel, and hang out with guys like Ted who will pull you back in the boat. – Terry 

Terry Traveller
Email: terry@discoveradel.com
Facebook: DiscoverAdel.TerryTraveller