It's been rather silent here on Rememorandom for over a week now. Some of you may have been worried. Did he get mauled by a great, giant panda? Did he eat a pita full of salt on a dare and go into a coma? Did that hag finally hex him and he's now roaming the streets as a hungry aardvark? Well, allow me to assuage your fears. The answer is no, no, and, sadly, no.
You see, Keisha and I were looking at our extended forecast, and it turned out that this past weekend was one of our last "free" weekends until our daughter arrives in June. The rest of them are loaded with baby showers or other sordid things. So, spontaneously, we decided to go camping down at the lovely Land Between the Lakes. I was a bit hesitant about my six-month pregnant wife sleeping on the ground (i.e., air mattress, even though I normally shun these sorts of luxuries on such trips, I'm not a Spartan when it comes to my sweetness and her comfort), but we did it anyway.
A beautiful day Friday with gale force winds. A glorious Saturday with sunshine and cyclones. A humid and ridiculously warm Sunday with forgettable gusts. Lots of fun to be had. We spent two hours or so in an 1850s-style homestead, talking with the locals and enjoying the weather. We drove up to where my project for work is located, checking out the highway (boring) and looking at the ditches (boring), but still, it's nice to actually see the place in person instead of on a computer monitor.
I spent a few hours in the garden on Sunday and got a healthy (hahahaha) sunburn on my pale and milky white back. Then I had some vacation time, which was spent emptying out the baby's room for the crib and furniture to go in. This took much of the day Monday, but we finished. Tuesday, another vacation day, was spent mowing and staining some chairs (see pictures below). Tuesday night proffered chili dogs, a feast no sane person can deny, and I went to bed happy, working a crossword puzzle in the bed with Keisha 'ere the lamp went dark.
Things have been busy and will continue to be busy for a while. There's a lot to talk about, but no time to devote to blogging at hand. Instead, I'll mention briefly: we attended our first baby class, where Keisha learned how to breathe properly; my project, which I thought was finished last week, apparently is unfinished and still needing revisions; I'm not really enjoying the book I'm currently reading, but I'm not "not enjoying" it, either; Easter approaches, and so does my solo; a new My Morning Jacket album comes next week, I believe; baby baby baby baby baby work work revisions revisions clean clean garden baby baby dogs bills work money money money money money 2 months no paycheck bible is good book i'm in leviticus now and read about sacrifices the other morning while eating breakfast and mymind'sshotandthere'snothingleftformetowriteaboutbattlestargalacticaisstillgoodtoomuch.........................
there will be another post this week. maybe two. back below the surface, now. take a breath. (if only i learned to breathe properly at a baby class...)
Showing posts with label camping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label camping. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
Monday, August 09, 2010
White Water Rafting the on the Ocoee
As I write this, my arms are heavy and weighted, my legs are rubber, my brain is fried, my body is exhausted, and my bladder is full. One of those is not really related to the weekend. Nevertheless, the bachelor party for William, consisting of white water rafting and true camping, in the eastern hills of Tennessee and the western mountains of North Carolina, was tremendous fun.
Adam and I took my car down to William's house on Friday afternoon, top off and windows down. The trip is about five hours, plus a time-zone change (CST to EST). On the way we worked a diagramless crossword puzzle and managed to finish by the time we got to Chattanooga. We got there first, unpacked the car and filled William's truck, and waited for the rest of the group to get there. Little sleep was to be had, for I am but a super-sensitive sleeper, particular in that I almost need pitch black and deeply cold rooms accompanied by absolute silence and a whirring of a fan. Still, I managed to get a few (2-3) hours and woke up excited to hit the river.
From William's, we drove another hour or so east and met up with his brothers at the rafting outfitter. The eight of us checked in, signed our waivers, got our gear (life-jacket, helmet, and a paddle), and watched the safety info. Soon we were bussed to the river and carrying our raft down at the base of a dam. We picked the vessel up and stepped it into the water, feeling for the first time the coolness of the river. And then we were in it and rapid bound.
Total time on the river was about an hour-and-a-half. Much of this time was spent in the rapids, from names like Broken Nose to Hell's Hole. I was amazed at the sheer power of the water, at the white-foamed bubbles from the swift flowing river, broken by massive boulders and jagged rocks spread throughout. The rapids were loud and noisy. The whole river was beautiful.
Going through a rapid is an exhilarating experience. First is the anticipation, hearing the raft guide tell you about it and how you're going to have to paddle to make it through. It's important that everyone paddle in sync to be efficient, and for the most part we did this. Next comes entering the rapid and the guide yelling directions. The boat is rocked and pulled to one side, bumping into a rock here, spinning around there, free-falling over a ledge there. It's kind of like mixing a roller-coaster with ATV riding, only you're on water. Sometimes you may all have to lean one way or the other to prevent a capsize, and sometimes the raft may be inclined as it rides the waves or sucked down by a powerful whirlpool. Finally, once the rapid is cleared, you're either in a brief calm section or approaching another rapid, the guide already giving directions. As I said, exhilarating.
The first time we capsized I slightly panicked. The raft flipped, we all spilled over into very cold waters, and I swam up to the surface. However, I came out of the water below the raft and I was disoriented. I gasped and gulped down water and tried to breathe. Eventually I realized that the raft was flipped over and the air cavity would let me breathe, and so I took a lungfull of air and made my way out. After a moment to calm down, I relaxed and floated on down the river. It was a calm between rapids and we enjoyed a few minutes of swimming. Still, the body never really acclimates to the temperature, but I enjoyed swimming in a river.
The guide asked us if anyone wanted to ride the bull. This means that the rider abandons their seat and paddle and goes to the front of the raft. Then they hop up on the side, dangle their legs over, and hold on to a rope attached to the tip. It's almost like riding a mechanical bull. There are three spots during the trip that one can ride the bull, and I did it on the last spot. When I hopped up there, the guide told us we were going through Hell's Hole and Powerhouse. He gave the warnings that if the raft flipped to make your way immediately to shore, that this section was strong and swift. Somewhat apprehensive, somewhat thrilled, we entered the rapid and I held on for dear life. Riding the bull was crazy. I was pounded by ten foot waves, taking the brunt of them head on. The whole time I was fighting for air, but drinking down water. I could feel the raft tipping forward and backwards and sideways and I loved it. I managed to stay on the whole time and shortly after the trip was over.
White water rafting was an incredible experience that I would love to do again. We all had a great time together on the river, and spending another late night out camping was also fun. Sunday, cold and fatigued, we packed up tent and headed back home.
Overall the weekend was phenomenal. It was good seeing people. It was fun camping again, as it's been a long time. And it was amazing being able to raft. Good times all around.
Adam and I took my car down to William's house on Friday afternoon, top off and windows down. The trip is about five hours, plus a time-zone change (CST to EST). On the way we worked a diagramless crossword puzzle and managed to finish by the time we got to Chattanooga. We got there first, unpacked the car and filled William's truck, and waited for the rest of the group to get there. Little sleep was to be had, for I am but a super-sensitive sleeper, particular in that I almost need pitch black and deeply cold rooms accompanied by absolute silence and a whirring of a fan. Still, I managed to get a few (2-3) hours and woke up excited to hit the river.
From William's, we drove another hour or so east and met up with his brothers at the rafting outfitter. The eight of us checked in, signed our waivers, got our gear (life-jacket, helmet, and a paddle), and watched the safety info. Soon we were bussed to the river and carrying our raft down at the base of a dam. We picked the vessel up and stepped it into the water, feeling for the first time the coolness of the river. And then we were in it and rapid bound.
Total time on the river was about an hour-and-a-half. Much of this time was spent in the rapids, from names like Broken Nose to Hell's Hole. I was amazed at the sheer power of the water, at the white-foamed bubbles from the swift flowing river, broken by massive boulders and jagged rocks spread throughout. The rapids were loud and noisy. The whole river was beautiful.
Going through a rapid is an exhilarating experience. First is the anticipation, hearing the raft guide tell you about it and how you're going to have to paddle to make it through. It's important that everyone paddle in sync to be efficient, and for the most part we did this. Next comes entering the rapid and the guide yelling directions. The boat is rocked and pulled to one side, bumping into a rock here, spinning around there, free-falling over a ledge there. It's kind of like mixing a roller-coaster with ATV riding, only you're on water. Sometimes you may all have to lean one way or the other to prevent a capsize, and sometimes the raft may be inclined as it rides the waves or sucked down by a powerful whirlpool. Finally, once the rapid is cleared, you're either in a brief calm section or approaching another rapid, the guide already giving directions. As I said, exhilarating.
The first time we capsized I slightly panicked. The raft flipped, we all spilled over into very cold waters, and I swam up to the surface. However, I came out of the water below the raft and I was disoriented. I gasped and gulped down water and tried to breathe. Eventually I realized that the raft was flipped over and the air cavity would let me breathe, and so I took a lungfull of air and made my way out. After a moment to calm down, I relaxed and floated on down the river. It was a calm between rapids and we enjoyed a few minutes of swimming. Still, the body never really acclimates to the temperature, but I enjoyed swimming in a river.
The guide asked us if anyone wanted to ride the bull. This means that the rider abandons their seat and paddle and goes to the front of the raft. Then they hop up on the side, dangle their legs over, and hold on to a rope attached to the tip. It's almost like riding a mechanical bull. There are three spots during the trip that one can ride the bull, and I did it on the last spot. When I hopped up there, the guide told us we were going through Hell's Hole and Powerhouse. He gave the warnings that if the raft flipped to make your way immediately to shore, that this section was strong and swift. Somewhat apprehensive, somewhat thrilled, we entered the rapid and I held on for dear life. Riding the bull was crazy. I was pounded by ten foot waves, taking the brunt of them head on. The whole time I was fighting for air, but drinking down water. I could feel the raft tipping forward and backwards and sideways and I loved it. I managed to stay on the whole time and shortly after the trip was over.
White water rafting was an incredible experience that I would love to do again. We all had a great time together on the river, and spending another late night out camping was also fun. Sunday, cold and fatigued, we packed up tent and headed back home.
Overall the weekend was phenomenal. It was good seeing people. It was fun camping again, as it's been a long time. And it was amazing being able to raft. Good times all around.
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
In a Few Days...
...I'll be on the road, heading down to East Tennessee for an unforgettable weekend. My dear friend William is getting married in November and I am honored to be his best man. As such, it falls on my shoulders to plan a bachelor party, which I have been doing for several months now. The plans come to fruition this weekend.
A group of eight, friends from college and William's three brothers, are going white water rafting and camping. I've never been rafting before, and the Ocoee River is supposed to be awesome. In fact, the 1996 Summer Olympics held the rafting events at the Ocoee. A few friends have been to the Ocoee and have told me how much fun it is, and others that have been rafting all assure me I'll have a blast. And I know I will.
So I'm packing up my beat-up-but-beloved 1995 Honda Del Sol, taking the top off, loading some music, and hitting the road Friday afternoon. My friend Adam is riding down with me. The destination is about six hours away, but we're spending Friday night at William's house in Chattanooga, which is only an hour and a half from the river. We'll get up early and hit the water for a few hours, then after we're all exhausted we'll head over into North Carolina and set up camp.
I grew up camping, and it's been a long time since I've gone. There's just something about being out at night with a clear sky and billions of twinkling stars above. When the air has cooled from the day and the darkness of night is all around. Where the toads burp and the crickets chirp. Where the glowing of the campfire is the only source of light other than the moon. Ah how I've missed it.
And on Sunday, after cooking breakfast over the fire, Adam and I will hop back in the Del Sol and head home, back to my waiting wife and pups. Truly, I'm very excited about the weekend. Rafting will be enjoyable, and camping will be a sweet return to a long-lost love. It will be good to hang out with old friends and remember times forgotten. While I'm in no real need for a break, I'll gladly take one.
A group of eight, friends from college and William's three brothers, are going white water rafting and camping. I've never been rafting before, and the Ocoee River is supposed to be awesome. In fact, the 1996 Summer Olympics held the rafting events at the Ocoee. A few friends have been to the Ocoee and have told me how much fun it is, and others that have been rafting all assure me I'll have a blast. And I know I will.
So I'm packing up my beat-up-but-beloved 1995 Honda Del Sol, taking the top off, loading some music, and hitting the road Friday afternoon. My friend Adam is riding down with me. The destination is about six hours away, but we're spending Friday night at William's house in Chattanooga, which is only an hour and a half from the river. We'll get up early and hit the water for a few hours, then after we're all exhausted we'll head over into North Carolina and set up camp.
I grew up camping, and it's been a long time since I've gone. There's just something about being out at night with a clear sky and billions of twinkling stars above. When the air has cooled from the day and the darkness of night is all around. Where the toads burp and the crickets chirp. Where the glowing of the campfire is the only source of light other than the moon. Ah how I've missed it.
And on Sunday, after cooking breakfast over the fire, Adam and I will hop back in the Del Sol and head home, back to my waiting wife and pups. Truly, I'm very excited about the weekend. Rafting will be enjoyable, and camping will be a sweet return to a long-lost love. It will be good to hang out with old friends and remember times forgotten. While I'm in no real need for a break, I'll gladly take one.
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