My husband has wanted to do a rafting trip for a long time. I have always said he could go with our child, but I would stay behind. Why? Because I can’t swim. Not one bit. Not even float very well. And I’m afraid of water after being held down by an older boy at a pool as a child. I don’t even put my face into the water when I shower. I back up to the spout to wet and wash my hair. Having water splashed in my face makes me feel like I can’t breathe for a moment. As someone with asthma and having endured respiratory failure, that’s a frightening feeling. But next month, I will be sixty-four years old. I thought it was time to try a few things that are scary to me. So we went on a rafting trip.
We are in Utah near Arches National Park, which we couldn’t get into because we didn’t know it was one of the National Parks that require a reservation. Instead, we decided to fill our day with the mild half-day rafting trip. It was only a level two for rapids. That’s so mild, we only got a little wet. We didn’t row much except when we needed movement and going into the rapids. It was a lot of fun. I told our guide I couldn’t swim, so he was supportive, and I felt comfortable and safe. Thank you, Ben! Our experience was awesome. The sights were incredible. Ben was informative about the types of geological formations we saw and some of the history in the area. Aside from some free-range cows, we only saw a few birds. That included the top of the head of a Bald Eagle sitting in its nest! Of course, I have no pictures that I took since I didn’t want my phone along for obvious reasons. But what is a post without a few pictures?!?!? So, I snagged some stock photos from Mild2Wild Rafting.
Much of the trip was relaxing, with smooth waters surrounded by incredible rock formations. But we did hit some level-two rapids.
This looks similar to what we went through, at least from my point of view. There is something about the smell of the wild, the songbirds, the crash of the water on rocks, and the easy flow of the river that soothes your soul. I found that my fear completely disappeared. I simply gave myself over to the joy of it and would do it again. The experience was one I will hold for a long time in my memory.
Next Up: Canyonlands National Park near Moab, Utah.
On Hummingbirds Wings 