On the road again

We've been travelling a lot, and have had very little internet access, which is why:

1. our blog isn't all that up to date
2. I'm writing this at 1:00am b/c that is when I can get on a computer and have a bit of spare time while we're not either on the road or the river

WILD While On The Road

Since leaving the Esprit basecamp on the Ottawa river we've travelled through the entire Eastern US, stopping at numerous different rivers along the way.

1. Black River (New York)
2. Youghiogheny River (Pennsylvania)
3. Gauley River (West Virginia)
4. New River (West Virginia)
5. US National White Water Center (North Carolina)
6. Nantahala River (North Carolina)
7. Ocoee River (Tennessee)
8. Atlantic Ocean (Texas) [where some of us were able to surf the 8 - 12 foot waves in our kayaks]

We've been able to do everything from Open Canoe class 2 rapids, to raft (both of us) and kayak (just me) class 5 rapids. We've stayed everywhere from this nice Travel Lodge Motel (huge treat before crossing the border to Mexico tomorrow), to nice campgrounds, to sleeping on the bus, to sleeping in parking lots beside the bus! The longest stretch of travel between kayaking was our straight haul from Tennessee to southern Texas that ended at 3:00am yesterday morning which took a crisp 35 hours. To be able to see this part of the continent from the perspective of from the bus, or from our kayaks, has been an extreemly interesting way to travel. The group that we're with has continued to be awesome, though some nerves were getting rubbed a bit thin after being on the bus with the same people for 35 hour straight (with the occasional pee break, of course).

The whitewater has been AMAZING!! You'll have to wait until we get our DVD of pictures from Esprit at the end of WILD to see pictures of that, because when we're on the river we certainly do not have time to think about catching nice pictures. We've both been improving leaps and bounds over what we were able to do in a kayak 6 weeks ago, and are now both competent raft guides (where as 6 weeks ago, I had never actually been in a raft...).

Now we are setting our sights on Mexico.... where the first river we are getting to has been described as a paridise - a river where almost nobody has a bad day (and that is REALLY saying something, because whitewater can be pretty tough on people some days). I am particularly excited about this river, because that is where I'll be able to try running over some waterfalls in my kayak for the first time, which is one of the things about this program that I've been the most excited about since the beginning!!

I've got to run, only got about 2 hours of sleep yesterday because of the travelling, and that was made quite restless by the healthy population of sand flies on the Texas coast (and we weren't allowed to set up tents, so we were just in our sleeping bags out in the open - sand fly / moquito buffets!!) also a big day tomorrow, we'll be crossing the border to Mexico and then start our 14 hour drive to our first river and it's waterfalls!!

A typical day continued

So to jump forward from where I left off from the second last entry that I made. I just briefly reread what I had written so some of this might be repeated.

WILD While Based at Esprit

Breakfast is eaten between 7 and 8:30 because at 8:30 we are on the bus and driving out the drive way. The bus ride to the put in is about 40 minutes. We board a school bus that makes alot of noise and the roads are bumpy. Depending on what the group is doing ( rafting or kayaking) and whether or not we are all together or in smaller groups will dictate how many buses we take and whether we are the only people on the bus.

If we have clients on the bus, the guides for the day tell them all about the area and the history of the county. It is very informativve. It takes about 10 minutes. As students we've heard it several times but each guide does it differently and adds there own personal touch and joke. The bus makes a stop at Auberge Albert (I think that's the name, I may have forgotten already.) This is a hotel where they pick up people who've commuted from Ottawa for the day. At the end of the day this is also the spot where they sometimes stop to watch the movie and photos that are taken from the day.

From this spot until they reach the river the guides do the bus paddle talk. This talk includes tonnes of info about the day - what to expect, what do if you fall out and the gear that you will be using. As participants in the program we have had an opportunity to do a little practice ourselves. We were given two topics that we had to chat about from teh front of the bus while we were travelling to the put in. One of the topics we knew about and choose ourselves and the other was given by a fellow participants. These topics included anything from why kids pick their noses to animals to the planets. It was great challenge for some people and easier for others. Everyone did really well.

Once we get to the put in it is a mad scramble to get everything unloaded and into the water. As students we are being trained on how to do this quickly and efficiently. The rafts and kaykas are placed on the roof ( some of the buses have racks) and we have to climb on top ( some of the buses have ladders) and take them all off. There is a roller bar that you can slide stuff up and down. Let's just say that at first I was afraid to be on top of the roof but now it is part of life and I also am getting much stronger so things are easier.

All of our personal gear is transported in mesh bags. Theoretically the gear (shorts, tops, lifejacket, helmets, throwbag with 70 ft. of rope and wet suit) is supposed to air out and dry ( but that rarely happens.) We try to find a quiet corner, hopefully behind a tree and change into our gear. I have a sarrong that I change behind but let's just say that people have lost their pride and I've seen alot of bare bums. If it is a particularly cool morning you would hear alot of groans and complaining about having to put on wet cold gear. It takes awhile for your body to warm it up.

Esprit has some land that is used for the lunch spot. It was donated by one of the local farmers. We spent one weekend here camping and learning swift water rescue techniques. This is at the end of the Middle channel of the Ottawa River. [more to come later... it's lunch time now!]

West Virginia..... the place of the hill billys?!?!?!

So here I sit in my first internet cafe, one of many I'm sure...

West Virginia is a place all of it's own. We have spent five days hang'n out at North American River Runners (NARR.) The Gauley River is amazing. We have spent a day or two rafting and then two or three days kayaking. The restort area is a pretty rock'n place that has great, warm showers.

To take a step or two back in time.... The last few entries that I"ve written have kind of ended abruptly and the details that I had inteded to included weren't because i ran out of time. So instead I'll talk about a few of those events and attempt to bring you all up to speed with our lives as a WILD student and let me tell you this is some very vigourous training.

Stiches

What a crazy few days it has been. As you may have guessed by the title there was a little medical help needed when my face encountered a food barrel. We had been cameoing and to make the story short the big waves some how made there way into the boat and once my partner and I got out a barrel smacked my face. Six stitches later we've taken a few days off to recuperate and rest, but as usual that has turned into lots of busyness and fun with family.

In my last entry my goal was to talk about a typical day at Esprit and seeing as I didn't really get around to that I thought that I would try again. Mornings start early and efficiently. We are usually up at 7 am. The bus rolls out of Esprit at 8:30. So I bet that you are thinking so what's the issues that's a whole hour and a half. Well, in between breakfast is served continental style( which for me has pretty much always consisted of at least yogurt - yummy) as well there is a rotating schedule of eggs and some meat, pancakes, French toast and always hash browns. Hot drinks are available all the time. And be assured that tea and hot chocolate have never tasted so good. We often have to make lunch for the day as well.



We have been divided into work/ mentor groups and each day a different group is in charge of preparing and serving lunch and dinner. Once we are on the road this will also include breakfast. As groups we will be meal planning as well. I'm in a group with two guys and Jason with two girls. Travis and Miles are both from out West. At first you'd be tempted to say they are sort of quite and shy (sound familiar?) but as you get to know them .... it all changes. They both have a lot to offer. Asia and Harry (Harriet) are certainly the opposite. They are fun-loving and bubbly personalities. They give Jason a hard time but all in all we work hard and get the job done.



What I consider to be the worst morning chore is supposed to be done and ready to go by 7:15. Ever seen a wet suit? Ever tried it on? Well the wet suit has become my new ward-robe with several layers on below. I am thankful for the warmth that it offers. Not only are they form fitting and thick as elephant skin, but they tend to absorb sweat smells like nothing you'll ever smell. The are often created such that quick shedding of them in order to pee is not really an option. As the days wears on and my dexterity begins to slow, the removal of anything quickly is difficult. Now that I have highlighted all the benefits of neoprene let me continue with the wet gear problem.



Each day we hang up our gear on clothes lines under the breeze way. We are each supposed to have our own line that we can lock in place ( so now one steals the gear that we have invested in). Sometimes I steal someone elses becaue I have too much and other times I end up folding random campers laundry. But the stuff gets hung and the magical power of wind is halted by the dewy mornings. Needless to say, the gear is not dry by morning. Each morning I stuff the wet, heavy, smelly gear into a bag and look forward to the moment when I get to put it against my skin.

Our first day off ..... and certainly well deserved

Friends and family,

The words that will soon flow out of these keys will do little justice to this new world that we have been immersed in. I will do my best to describe what a typical day is like and all the crazy adventures that we have already had. Thanks for all the comments that people have provided it is a great way for us to feel connected.

The best way to start off is to tell you about the things that we have already done. Wilderness first aid and safety is behind us. Following that we divided into two different groups, primarily based on kayaking skills. Jason and I were on different groups. Somebody recently asked if Jason was the best kayaker. Jason and I had a similar response - laughter because many individuals in the group are pretty experienced in white water activities. One of the guys has been in rafts and kayaks since he was four years old. We both certainly have so much to learn and we've already gained some amazing insights. Each group spent two days kayaking and then two days rafting. Both of us found rafting awkward at first because they glide so much and they are like big tanks compared to kayaks. I worked hard on my roll and it feels much more natural but still haven't figured out how it works while being flipped upside down bobbing around on waves.

This past weekend we went out to Esprit's lunch spot, this is also the location of the last rapid on the Middle Channel of the Ottawa River. We completed out swift water rescue course, where we learned rope systems and what to do when accidents happen in white water. The highlight was the scenario/night search. I'll have to describe what that is and how it works on another post.

Canoeing was the first time Jason and I were together. After I spent a few hours stressed out trying to learn canoe strokes and how to ferry a canoe whileJason graciously tried to be patient with me, we both independetly decided it was better not to learn brand new ideas while we are in the same boat. At least we figured that out early on :0)

So there are a few new things to get you started. I know it isn't quite what I promised but I do hope that you learned something new. I'll try to write again soon. Friday we take a school bus 12 hrs. North, to the mighty Rupert River where we do a 7 day canoe trip in 5 days. Rumour has it that a group may even be portaging 21 km (a 7 km portage, in two trips) in a day. We'll need lots of prays over those days!!

Hope you are all well. Remember that we love to hear how things are so tell us about what's been going on because that isn't the norm for us anymore.

We are at Esprit ... and having fun

Well folks it is just a little short of a week that we have been gone and thought that it was about time to let you know what we are up . We are hang at Esprit's base camp in Davidson, Quebec. The tent that we now call home is a two person Mountainn Equipment Co-op jobbie that has two vestibules. Jay goes in one way and I come out the other. The weather has been great most of the time. Several nights have included rain which means rain tumbling onto the tin roof that covers the tent, which is also on a platform. IN total there will be 22 students and several people who will be teaching us, most of whom we've met.

Our days consist of us sitting inside, wishing that we were outside enjoying the warm, sunny afternoons. We've learned all kinds of crazy things related to first aid in a wilderness setting ... what to do when someone trips ands falls all the way up to doing CPR on unresponsive people. We've learned techniques that around taking into account having to wait a long time or having to evacuate them out. All this crazy lingo that makes sense to me but is unfamiliar to most. We get to go outdoors every hour or two for a scenario, where we are either the victim, the rescuer or the helper. This seems to be a much better way to learn.

Supper await me - the food is awesome, pretty much a BBQ each night. I"ll post this despite the fact that it isn't finished. The interenet is sporadic so I';m taking advantage while I can. Hope you like it.

Just a little more time left ...

The Spanish say it best … “Go with God.” Those are some of the final, inspiring words that have encouraged us as we prepare for our trip. Saying good bye is something that I have come to dread. How does one saying it a meaningful and hopeful way? The relationships that we’ve created are about to be changed in a dramatic way and that certainly needs to be acknowledged, but at the same time they will remain steady and unchanged. What will change is the physical distance between us and the possible limited contact that will likely exist. I struggle with saying good bye, wishing there was some way it make it easier. However there is a growing appreciation for good- byes.

Wrapping up our life here has begun with the completion of work. What an exciting day that was! The ICU has been in over drive for the last two months, with more deaths in three weeks than my entire time there. Jason’s work has been winding down over the last month with him successful meeting deadlines and achieving his goals. A job well done indeed ( his supervisor certainly confirmed that)!!!

The last weeks will be spent packing up our house, taking care of details and preparing mentally and physically for the challenges that lie ahead. We are wondering where God will be leading us. We look forward to these adventures with fear, anxiety and much excitement. In a recent conversation someone compared our preparations to that of a wedding and we are certainly looking forward to the big day.