S S S Snake!

It certainly sssstarted off vvvvery cold this morning and Dad and I were bbboth pretty concerned about being wet on a river when it was only 37 degrees outside.

But hey, good news, it warmed up to 45 degrees!

We drove to the Sands Whitewater Rafting company, signed the waivers where you take full responsibility for any mortal mishap, received our wetsuits and neoprene booties, changed into said body girdles and set off with a bus of strangers for the unknown... Under the guidance of our river guide "Tom" who was born and raised in Wasington DC (which Dad commented isn't his first choice for a river guide.) Tom (whose real name is Alex, I learned later) is a DUDE. Not in the masculine/cowboy/jock kind of way, but the Big Lebowski/Fast Times at Ridgemont High kind of way! Doooood.

Dad and I had the dual excursion option of half day scenic and serene rafting followed by lunch and then whitewater rapids on the Snake River. On our serene portion we saw a bald eagle up in its nest, a group of large white pelicans hanging out on the shore, some magpies (very pretty black and white birds) and a few Peregrine falcons.

After sandwiches on the riverbank we met up with a few other boats to all go down the whitewater section in stages for safety. Even a kayaker came along and went ahead of us to grab hold of anyone that got tossed. We were a bit concerned that two of the other boats all wore helmets and we didn't .

For the scenic portion, Dad and I sat in front, 5 other rafters and the guide sat in rows behind us. Later for the rapids, Dad and I chose to be nearer the guide and let other people sit up front... and that was SMART!! There really was no leverage or way to hold yourself in the boat up front and further back you could wedge your foot under the seat bench in front of you for stability. Off we went with the 'Dude' yelling "forward!" "Backward!" "Take a break!" throughout. Most of the rapids were class 2 or 3, but due to the high water and the volume of water (18,000 cubic feet per second!) the biggest rapid was now a class 4.

And did it feel like it! It is called 'The Lunch Counter' and I was certain the first two rows of people were going to fall on top of me or get tossed. Personally, I had my leg shoved so tight between the seat in front of me and the wall of the boat, completely determined not to end up in the water. Loads of screams, splashes, 360 spins and vertical launches, we made it out intact. The two front people were drenched and we did a high five with our oars in celebration ;)

Continuing the birthday celebration we went to The Blue Lion and had the best dinner. As has been happening a lot, nearly every meal strangely, Dad and I ordered the same thing: Buttermilk Halibut with Asiago over a red pepper purée. Divine!

So now I'm not sure if I'm just crazy full from dinner or if the day of paddling and pulling river water is catching up on me, but either way it all was wonderful and worth it. So grateful that the day warmed up even a little bit, that neither of us ended up in the river and that I have this fabulous memory of today with my Pop.