We woke up a little before 7:00. Kaylea made toast and coffee while Aaron uploaded pictures and videos. Shops wouldn't be opened for another hour or so, so Kaylea researched activities in the area. When 8:30 finally arrived, we loaded into our little car and went in search of breakfast. We found a bakery nearby called the Ciabatta Bakery and Cafe. They made an incredible breakfast sandwich called the Brekkie and they offered "gonuts" which were essentially doughnut cream sandwiches.
After breakfast, we went back to the studio to pack for the day's adventures. At 10:45 we were picked up by the company that would be guiding us down the river for some white water rafting. On the way up, we signed waivers and received a quick and terrifying safety briefing. The guide went over all the ways the trip could go wrong. We needed to know what to do if we fell out of the raft, if the raft flipped over, if we got stuck in trees, etc. It was suddenly very clear to people on the bus that this seemingly fun thrill ride had some very real potential danger. The man giving the safety instructions asked the bus if anyone felt like they weren't a particularly strong swimmer. Kaylea sheepishly raised her hand. "Good! That just means that we're going to rescue you first." He asked again. "Does anyone feel like they aren't a strong swimmer?" Several more hands shot up. "That's what I thought".
We got to the river and started strapping on our life jackets and helmets. Aaron struggled to get his go pro chest strap on. As soon as he had it strapped and secure, one of the staff members told him to take it off and put it on underneath his life jacket. So, we were stuck having to mess with the GoPro strap while the staff was splitting people up in to groups and possibly giving out life saving information. We got partnered with 2 older couples. One from Canada, and another from California. The Californians had been talking about their white water rapid experience on the bus. They had done it in Colorado, Georgia, Canada. From the way they were talking, it seemed like they were going to be leading the pack, but when our instructor asked for volunteers to sit in the front of the boat, no hands were raised. The instructor put Kaylea and I in the back, the 2 other wives in the middle, and their husbands in the front.
As he was giving us the instructions, he made a few things very clear. First, it was important to our safety that we listen to everything he said. Second, we had to work together if we were going to make it through the first few rapids. Third, the 2 guys at the front need to watch each other and set the pace for the rest of the boat. He showed us exactly how to row forward, row backward, how to get down, how to get left, get right. It was all pretty straight forward, and we all understood, so he tested us while we were still on land. "Row forward! STOP! We have to row together. OK! Row Forward! STOP! ... Guys. We have to row together." The 2 guys at the front didn't seem to be capable of rowing at the same pace, and the 2 women in the middle didn't seem to be able to do the same thing as their husbands in front of them. At this point we were pressed for time, so without much more preparation we pushed off into the water.
There was a little bit of calm water before we got to the first few rapids. "Row Forward! STOP! TO GETH ER!" Finally, with a worried look in his eyes, the instructor asked "Does anyone feel like they might be able to keep better pace?" Kaylea's hand shot up, and we quickly switched places with the 2 guys in front. "Row Forward! MUCH BETTER!" The first rapids were chaotic. They went by like a combination of a water slide, a roller coaster, and bumper cars. It was smooth sailing after that. Well, as smooth sailing as white water rapids can be. In the calm parts of the river, one of the wives asked "Is this your first time!?!"
It was pretty tiring stuff. Being in the front meant you had to constantly be ready to move, change direction, or stop. We also missed a good amount of the views because it was imperative that we focus on each other to keep pace. Every so often, Kaylea would get distracted by a giant stone in the river or trying to avoid being whipped by a branch. Aaron was great at reminding her to look at him. The overall experience probably did wonders for our marital communications skills since we basically had to read each other's minds and move at the same time.
The rapids got dicey a few times. We were constantly having to hold on and not fly out and we occasionally had to get down and duck out of the way. At one point, another raft rammed into Kaylea's side and sent her flying out of her seat. Aaron had to grab her to keep her from bouncing out. Aaron got whipped by a tree pretty hard. He still has a bruised scrape 4 days later.
We finally got to a calm part of the river. The guide eased up on the commands and the group was able to relax and take a breath. The guide pointed out a spot in the river where a natural spring bubbled out of the riverbed. The guide took a drink of the water and the group copied him. He claimed it was mostly likely the cleanest water we'd ever have. It was incredibly cool and clear.
After that, the guide offered the group the opportunity to take a swim. Kaylea was the first to jump in. The water was cold, but not unbearable. Other rafters began to jump in and swim along the rafts. When it was time to get back in, Aaron had to pull Kaylea back into the raft by the straps of her life jacket.
We loaded onto the bus and went back to the meeting point to return our gear. The guiding company provided sandwiches and snacks for lunch. They had chicken flavored potato chips, which is apparently a favorite here.
After breakfast, we went back to the studio to pack for the day's adventures. At 10:45 we were picked up by the company that would be guiding us down the river for some white water rafting. On the way up, we signed waivers and received a quick and terrifying safety briefing. The guide went over all the ways the trip could go wrong. We needed to know what to do if we fell out of the raft, if the raft flipped over, if we got stuck in trees, etc. It was suddenly very clear to people on the bus that this seemingly fun thrill ride had some very real potential danger. The man giving the safety instructions asked the bus if anyone felt like they weren't a particularly strong swimmer. Kaylea sheepishly raised her hand. "Good! That just means that we're going to rescue you first." He asked again. "Does anyone feel like they aren't a strong swimmer?" Several more hands shot up. "That's what I thought".
We got to the river and started strapping on our life jackets and helmets. Aaron struggled to get his go pro chest strap on. As soon as he had it strapped and secure, one of the staff members told him to take it off and put it on underneath his life jacket. So, we were stuck having to mess with the GoPro strap while the staff was splitting people up in to groups and possibly giving out life saving information. We got partnered with 2 older couples. One from Canada, and another from California. The Californians had been talking about their white water rapid experience on the bus. They had done it in Colorado, Georgia, Canada. From the way they were talking, it seemed like they were going to be leading the pack, but when our instructor asked for volunteers to sit in the front of the boat, no hands were raised. The instructor put Kaylea and I in the back, the 2 other wives in the middle, and their husbands in the front.
As he was giving us the instructions, he made a few things very clear. First, it was important to our safety that we listen to everything he said. Second, we had to work together if we were going to make it through the first few rapids. Third, the 2 guys at the front need to watch each other and set the pace for the rest of the boat. He showed us exactly how to row forward, row backward, how to get down, how to get left, get right. It was all pretty straight forward, and we all understood, so he tested us while we were still on land. "Row forward! STOP! We have to row together. OK! Row Forward! STOP! ... Guys. We have to row together." The 2 guys at the front didn't seem to be capable of rowing at the same pace, and the 2 women in the middle didn't seem to be able to do the same thing as their husbands in front of them. At this point we were pressed for time, so without much more preparation we pushed off into the water.
There was a little bit of calm water before we got to the first few rapids. "Row Forward! STOP! TO GETH ER!" Finally, with a worried look in his eyes, the instructor asked "Does anyone feel like they might be able to keep better pace?" Kaylea's hand shot up, and we quickly switched places with the 2 guys in front. "Row Forward! MUCH BETTER!" The first rapids were chaotic. They went by like a combination of a water slide, a roller coaster, and bumper cars. It was smooth sailing after that. Well, as smooth sailing as white water rapids can be. In the calm parts of the river, one of the wives asked "Is this your first time!?!"
It was pretty tiring stuff. Being in the front meant you had to constantly be ready to move, change direction, or stop. We also missed a good amount of the views because it was imperative that we focus on each other to keep pace. Every so often, Kaylea would get distracted by a giant stone in the river or trying to avoid being whipped by a branch. Aaron was great at reminding her to look at him. The overall experience probably did wonders for our marital communications skills since we basically had to read each other's minds and move at the same time.
The rapids got dicey a few times. We were constantly having to hold on and not fly out and we occasionally had to get down and duck out of the way. At one point, another raft rammed into Kaylea's side and sent her flying out of her seat. Aaron had to grab her to keep her from bouncing out. Aaron got whipped by a tree pretty hard. He still has a bruised scrape 4 days later.
We finally got to a calm part of the river. The guide eased up on the commands and the group was able to relax and take a breath. The guide pointed out a spot in the river where a natural spring bubbled out of the riverbed. The guide took a drink of the water and the group copied him. He claimed it was mostly likely the cleanest water we'd ever have. It was incredibly cool and clear.
After that, the guide offered the group the opportunity to take a swim. Kaylea was the first to jump in. The water was cold, but not unbearable. Other rafters began to jump in and swim along the rafts. When it was time to get back in, Aaron had to pull Kaylea back into the raft by the straps of her life jacket.
(moments before the guide yanked Kaylea backwards)
The rest of the trip had a few good rapids, but was mostly low key. The team ended the trip by cheering and putting out oars together. Unfortunately, we did not get much good footage. The location of the GoPro meant that it was hidden either behind Aaron's life jacket or under his beard.
Also, there was no photographer with the group, as it is nearing the end of the season. Kaylea could have sworn she saw a guy at the edge of the river taking pictures, but the guides claimed they had no idea who she was talking about.
We loaded onto the bus and went back to the meeting point to return our gear. The guiding company provided sandwiches and snacks for lunch. They had chicken flavored potato chips, which is apparently a favorite here.
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