Rollin' Down the River

Julie (my mother-in-law) put on her bucket list a whitewater rafting trip for her 60th birthday (ten years ago). We tried to make that happen, but couldn't.

This year she reached 70 and refused to let ANYthing get in her way. She was doing this.

We had planned to do this last weekend, but the logisitics of the situation pushed it back a week. Considering that last week was the Fourth of July weekend, the re-scheduling, planned or not, seemed to be genius, in retrospect.

So anyhow, we did it this past weekend. One of megan's roomates' ex-boyfriend worked at a rafting place nearby so it was all set for him to be our guide. I like Fletcher, he's a nice guy

Heh. all the well-laid plans of mice and men .... two days prior Fletch sprained his ankle and his boss would not allow him (smartly) to run the river, despite how much he begged. Heal well, my friend.

We got signed in, and then Melissa remembered that she had forgot her shoes, so Megan who drove them to the site of the rafting place from their campsite, was commissioned to go back to the campsite to pick up what was forgotten.

It took an interminable amount of time and we were close to being bumped to another bus because she still had not returned as we were prepping to leave. Luckily, she showed just before the bus took off. While we missed Fletch,  our guide, Fuller, was friggin' awesome!

We go through the normal liability dissertation of don't be stupid out there, you could get hurt, and after getting out of the bus are reunited with Fuller who shows us the proper way to sit in the boat without getting launched into the water (remember this point).

Amongst that dissertation is the explanation of the different classes of rapids. Six is insanity and those people just are adreanaline-junkie nut-job types. Five is really crazy, really fun. Four is more manageable. Three is rather mild. Two is almost boring and one is flat water, followed by a hearty "BOOO!"

We were the last raft in the water The transport bus carries six rafts per trip. Fuller was great. She is living the life as she spends her summers as a raft guide and her winters as a ski/snowboard instructor. I just wished I was half as smart when I was her age.

That gal is living the life and getting paid to do so. Awesomeness!!

We *finally* got in the water and within about 5 minutes (not even) we hit our first of four class 4 rapids. The following pictures were taken here. Sean and I (up front) learned quickly to not have your mouth open unless you wanted a mouthful of Pigeon River down your throat.

What a great introduction to what to expect! Already I'm liking it! This was good stuff!

The stretches of rapids were rather brief and we spent most of the trip floating from one section to the next with brief moments of exhilaration tossed in. Just prior to arriving at the second class 4 rapid section, you could see the group up ahead doing "doughnut" spins in the rapids.

That looked fun. Fuller said we could do the same and told one side to paddle backwards while the other paddled forward. We did and mid-turn Fuller and Isaac were ejected into the water. Julie almost joined them but between her grabbing Sean and Melissa grabbing her leg, she managed to remain in the boat.

Fuller couldn't believe she fell out. She was regretting getting back to base and the hell that the other guides were going to give her for such a rookie move.

She explained that she will now have to buy "swim beer" for the Thursday night meeting they hold. She said it is usually the rookies that have to do that. It seems that if you go swimming you need to bring a case of beer to the meeting. She won't live this one down anytime soon.  

Anyway, we got the raft over to the bank and Fuller and Isaac swam over to us. We all got back in the boat and continued on.

At the next rapid section she wanted some redemption, so we did more spins and this time everyone stayed in the raft, followed by a high five where we all hold our oars over our heads and touch them together. She was fun.

We hit one other class 4 and then it was mostly just floating along. That was nice as well. It was rather peaceful and beautiful to just slowly move along. We got to one area and the guides told us we could get out of the boats and swim if we wanted. Melissa took her up on it, but was the only one from our raft to do so.

After the swim, and all the boats had all their rafters back in, we had found ourselves ahead of one of the others. They in turn, came up behind us and started a splash fest, to which we returned the favor. We probably looked like a bunch of children.   ; )

It wasn't long before we had gotten back to the place and the trip was over. What a great way to spend the day, though.

Additionally, it has been a long, looong time since we have done anything as a family. That was nice/

everything zen?

After first break on Friday, the rumor was we were going to be leaving early. The timeline ranged from noon to 2:00.

Either way, would be fine for me. I didn't start until Tuesday so if we stayed until 2 I am only out 1.5 hours.

Alternatively, the weather is beautiful outside, and due to leaving a  little late that morning, I took the Bandit to work instead of the KLR. Heh! sidenote --- I made up about 9 minutes getting to work compared to my normal time.

If we leave at noon, I can sneak a ride in before going home. Sounds like a  win-win to me.

Well our supervisor came around shortly after break informing us we would be off at noon. SWEET! Admittedly, it made focusing on work for the next hour and a half a bit more difficult.

I had been wanting to fill out a couple more applications anyway, so with the "extra" time I was just given I decided I would fill out at least one. That was the plan, anyway.

At noon, I headed over to White Pine to apply at what once was a Clayton plant I *used* to work at. Of course, I don't have my resume or any of that information they ask for and certainly don't have all those details committed to memory. I *have*, though, uploaded a resume to my email account.

I figured I could hit the library, log in, print off a resume, fill out an app. and be riding in no time at all. Heh! not so much! I got to the library and got on a computer, but for whatever reason, it wouldn't open ANYthing from my Yahoo account. MOTHER FU.........ER!!

It then dawned on me, okay, use the phone to open the email, and forward to my gmail and see if their computer likes that better. Well, it did. So I print off a copy of the resume but have lost a half hour dicking around with their computer's aversion to yahoo.Meh. whatever!

So I head over to the plant. As I entered the building one of the guys I used to volumtarily pull Saturday duty for was in the office. Thomas was the "third in command" for the old company. We chat for a bit and then I look at the receptionist and ask for an application.

To which I get the reply "We only accept applications on Wednesdays."
(sigh) "Okay, can I get one to take home and bring back on Wednesday?"
"No"
(what the hell is this deal about? what is sooo damned sacred with these applications that you cannot take one home to fill out? do that many people blatantly steal these things? really?)
(again ..... sigh)
"Okay, can I leave you a resume?" (i just paid 50 cents for one)
"No"

I am visibly frustrated by now and I can see Thomas holding back a chuckle. I ask her
"How long are you here on Wednesday so I can fill out an app?"
"We stop taking apps at 3:00"

F*CK ME! I don't get out until 3:30 and couldn't get there until 4. I am at my limit. I jokingly say
"You're going to make me miss half a day just to fill out an application!" (with a little frustrated vigor)

Thomas then says, "Well, you get an appliication in, and we'll see what we can do!" followed by "of course you will have to go through the whole re-hire process". Well I guess since I'm only a temp anyhow, I will be taking Wednesday off.

Okay so that errand done, I was ready for a beer. I figured I would ride over to Asheville and get one (maybe two). I headed over that way and in short order, there is another rider coming up on my six .... fast! He is hauling!

I wave him on by and he waves back as he passes. I was running about 65 when he caught up and passed me. I had no need to go more than that.

However, something made me stick on his tail. Now granted, once catching me he slowed some and our speed was pretty equal. We rode together for the next 30 miles or so. I wasn't sure which way I was going to go, but now that I am with this guy, I will see if he turns onto TN-107 or stays straight and I will tag along.

I can get there either way. I am fluid and have a couple hours to burn.

He chose to continue southbound on US 25/70 at that interchange and I followed in his tracks. We kept a comfortable, but spirited pace. We soon arrived in Hot Springs, NC and he turned in the direction to Asheville, and I still stayed with him. However, he pulled into some pub/diner there.

I had never been to this one, but decided to pull in as well. Before I got a chance to query him on anything (he had camp gear packed), he walked in. The server got to him about the same time I did and asked what "you all" wish to drink. I hadn't expected to sit with him but after that, he offered up the invitation for me to join him and I graciously accepted.

After perusing their beer menu, I saw they had Dogfish Head's 90 minute IPA for the price of what they offered on tap. SCORE!

I don't know why, but I was relieved when he also ordered a beer with his dinner. I am not one for making impressions, but I guess I didn't want him to think I was one of those that rode from bar to bar. Whatever!

Well, they were slow with the food (and I often wonder if the servers write on the order ticket to the cooks, :they're drinking, don't make thsi TOO quickly"  LOL). That gave us some time to chat, though. I enjoyed Jim's company and was happy invited me to sit with him.

Turns out he was headed to Caruso, NC to stay at Blue Ridge Motorcycle Campground and that he was from Knoxville (about 40 minutes from my house). The food was good and the company was too.

After lunch, he went in the other direction than me. I was going to Marshall, NC to pick up some beer for later that evening.

Heh. the problem with that was that I had NO intention of getting off work early enough to find myself in Marshall buying beer. On the bike were TWO bungee cords that are hardly long enough to do more than strap over the seat.

Well shiiiite! I picked out what I wanted and was happy to see they sold a package of bungee cords. I figured between that and "stealing" a box from them, I could make this work. I got to the register and cried my unprepared sob-story and the bagger went and found me a box. It worked perfectly!

I went the way that I *would* have come in had I not been following Jim (because it is more fun). This route is fun and I *know* it .... well (like the back-of-my-hand well).!

I was scooting along NC-208 at quite an elevated pace. I was clicking along nicely. There was no misapprehensions (braking when I shouldn't or other worries). It all felt right. I was doing what I used to do.

Too well?, I suppose, as I quickly came to the end of the fun part of 208. I really wanted to turn around and run it again, just to have to run it yet one more time.

Time, though, is relative, and discretion had me continue on home. After all, I still had to fix dinner for Dad and myself yet. Playing makes this a late(r) endeavor.

I got home around 6 PM and was smiling. What a great afternoon! It was only a little over a 100 miles but it was a great 100 miles!

I got off work early ... on a Friday. The meetup with Jim was unexpectedly delightful, and the ride home managed to top that.

The night was finished off (and so was I) with some tasty brews. How can ya argue a day like that?