A group of friends and I had gone rafting down the American River, back in the 1980s.
It was so fun that I wanted to go to rafting school and learn how to proficiently guide a paddle raft in Class III whitewater. I was ready and then I got a $60,000 order to supply a large chain with goods that I represented. I couldn’t pass up that commission so I missed the rafting class.
The reason I wanted to take the class was because the friends I learned how to raft with were idiots, who caused accidents that wouldn’t happen if the guide had been proficient at rafting.
I actually flipped overboard and was trapped underneath the raft and against a river boulder. Not fun. It was the last time I rafted with that group!
The trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon was different; different river, different people with a professional rafting company.
I took my camera and lenses and took photos, but not too many as the experience was bigger and grander than any photo that I could take.
We saw a completely circular rainbow from spray off a small waterfall. It was the first (and only) time I’ve seen such a sight and I’m sure I couldn’t have captured it on my film camera.
On a day-hike, we all hiked up the Little Colorado River, which was turquoise blue. We were told the color was due to the presence of dissolved calcium carbonate in the water. At some point while I was looking at flowers and rock formations I got separated from the group. I didn’t mind, I liked following my own path. Eventually the Swamper (assistant guide) came back for me and we found the group. They were swimming in turquoise water. They were in pools surrounded by calcified formations, and it was gorgeous. We were high above them.
Since I missed the beginning swimming in the pools, Swamper took me to a spot even higher and said, “We can jump from here.”
“Oh, hell no.” We were about 60-feet high over the deepest pool. I froze with fear.
“I’ll do it and then you can come after me.”
And with that Swamper jumped.
He smiled up at me when he surfaced and encouraged me to “Jump!”
Looking at the rocks below, I took a leap out to miss them.
Wow! I lived!
Camping on the bank of the Colorado River with the Grand Canyon walls rising high above made me forget there was a world beyond us. For days we had no news, no knowledge of what was happening in the world. We were free and one with nature.
After breakfast one morning we packed up our gear and headed downriver to Lava Falls, which was the most anticipated and challenging part of the entire river. Everyone was nervous and excited. It was a Class 10, 38-foot drop, known for its large volume of fast moving water, creating powerful and unpredictable currents.
The captain and his long oars maneuvered the best line through Lava Falls. We heard the rapids before we saw them. I chose to ride daredevil at the bow.
One other girl was going to ride up there with me but chickened out because her boyfriend kept scaring her with how dangerous it was going to be.
Never mind, I thought, I’ll be the Lone Rider in the Storm!
I held on to straps for dear life. Whitewater crashed over the raft. I yelled myself voiceless, watched as the bow dipped down and came up above the waves.
When it was over and the noise of the falls was behind us, my heart still pounded from my chest.
What’s a girl to do?…encourage others to take the ride of their lives.
Lucy Llewellyn Byard welcomes comments lucywgtd@gmail.com
