Sally and her very new husband were seeking adventure. She suggested a raft trip on the Colorado River. Being from the mountains of Dayton,Ohio, she somehow failed to remember that Colorado raft trips in the prime runoff season can be hazardous. The water is freezing and, in the middle of May, is running so high and fast that you might just consider buying more insurance before hopping aboard. We naively made reservations and put signatures in place so the rafting company could not be held liable should an accident occur. The guide for our trip was very experienced and seemed to be about twenty-six years old. He gave a detailed talk on safety before the trip started. He mentioned that it was rare if anyone was thrown overboard but cautioned us to remain calm if anyone flipped out of the raft. Matt said that one of the most extreme set of rapids had earned the name of ‘cemetary falls.’ We successfully navigated a series of rapids and were feeling pretty confident. Matt said to get ready as the cemetary was just around the next bend. When we saw them, the collective heart rate of our team skyrocketed. We wondered how on earth anyone could remain in the raft while going through this churning stretch of river. We all said a silent prayer and braced for a bumpy ride. In the midst of the most treacherous water, we looked and there was Matt flying from his seat like a rodeo rider being thrown by a wild bull. PANIC should certainly be in all caps here. We did not know how or if we could get our captain back on board. Fortunately, the now nearly frozen guide was able to grab on to an oar and was pulled to safety. At lunch a bit later we laughed about this misadventure. Matt didn’t seem all that bothered but Sally and her now much older husband agreed that any rafting in the future would be in August when raging waters had subsided.
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