Thelma: Day #7 – Middle Fork of the Flathead River

Lake_Five• 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

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This entry was posted on Friday, August 13th, 2010 and is filed under North America.

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