Thelma: Day #7 – Middle Fork of the Flathead River
• Number of miles driven: 34
• Amount of money spent: $93.75 ($60.00 tee pee, $12.00 Internet service (which didn’t work), $5.00 lunch, $4.75 coffee, $2 beer, $10 dinner & more beer)
• Best pic: Lake at Sunset
• Song of the Day: John Denver’s Rocky Mountain High (no audio, only singing in my head)
• Printed Book: Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion by Fr. Gregory Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries – highly recommended
• Nighttime abode: Tee Pee (!)
• Special Purchase: $49 for ½ day kayak rental
Today was the first time I’ve kayaked river rapids. Rafting — sure, but solo kayaking — no. I decided since they were only Class II, I’d give it a go.
The thing I discovered that I like most about kayaking is that you have to go at each rapid head-on, nose first, paddling into it. Basically, there’s not holding back once you’ve committed and if you do hesitate, you’ll end up sidewise, backwards — or worse – up-side down.
This is pretty much how I like to approach life: head on. After a childhood of beatings by my older brother, I’ve learned not to flinch. In fact, that’s why I’m placed in goal on my soccer teams – I stand my ground when the ball come rocketing at me.
I think kayaking is a nice metaphor for life: When facing turbulence, vigorously paddle into the rapid. I like it!
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Read the next post in this series: Thelma: Day #8 – Going to the Sun Road
Read the first post in this series: Thelma without Louise: An American Adventure
Tags: Flathead River, Kayaking
This entry was posted on Friday, August 13th, 2010 and is filed under North America.