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Published: November 7th 2011
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...but it was one of the best times of my life.
After breaking up with the so-called possessive and controlling ex-boyfriend of merely 2 months, it was the perfect time to go on a rafting trip at Kern River. I almost didn't go because the fact it was a good (guy) friend that had asked if I wanted to join the rest of his friends. If you know me, I am the adventurous type and always love trying new things. As soon as that "relationship" was over, I immediately packed my bags and took a road trip with my friend Tan and his friend Seth.
DAY 1 First day we arrived and at the campsite to meet up with everyone else. I had no idea how many came but it was tent city that's for sure! The group was so big I don't remember half of them. Those that I do remember eventually became one of my new adventure friends - Josh and Courtney (cute couple!). There was not much to do at the moment so Tan, Seth, and I headed out for some improvised light hiking which turned out to be a bit of cross-country hike with my
sandals! Ouch! I still had fun however as there were pretty wild flowers around and crazy shenanigans by the boys.
Upon arriving back at camp, most of the crew had already started drinking, telling stories about the first groups that went out that day of rafting, and playing a game I never heard before until then - "Beersbee". If you hadn't heard it before... Trust me, it's fun.
DAY 2 Today was the day that my friends get to learn how to raft and follow commands by our friend, Josh (who I just met). He just got certified as a rafting instructor a year before and convinced one of his more experienced buddies to come along and steer the 2nd raft - pretty easy to remember. First, we will practice on Class 3 which is a bit calm; enough to get used to paddling and following commands. According from last night's stories of the other crew, Josh had flipped them on the first rapids on the Class 4 route. I'm not too worried as I felt that he learned from his mistake and won't repeat it...
First round was in the morning and off we go. One
the smaller boat was Josh's buddy leading it with 4 people and the bigger one Josh was leading with me in front right, Tan behind me, Seth behind Tan and two others on our left. I brought my waterproof disposable camera and took a few pics in between rapids. I also gave my real camera to Courtney who was watching off to the side for some action shots.
We took a lunch break and off we go again but this time - Class 4. We launch off in the Upper Kern side. We did a switch-a-roo with Tan in front right, me behind him, one of the girls behind me, another guy front left and Seth behind him. There was a big sloped rock right in the middle where it will be our first big drop for the Class 4 rapids... the same one that Josh had flipped the boat the day before. We were paddling towards it and I knew that we were all waiting for Josh to call out "High Side!" but he didn't. The left side went up the rock and flipped us! Seth and the other guy fell on top of us and all came
tumbling under water while for some reason Josh managed to keep himself up in the boat. The other boat was ahead to keep eye out on us. When they saw that we got flipped it was their job to come rescue all of us. Meanwhile, here we were spread out in the river holding on to our paddles and getting into the correct position with our feet up, knees bent and facing forward. At that time I did not worry as I know they will get us. Somehow Tan and I joined up and held each other until we tried to swim to the side towards a big rock that was coming up as hard and fast as we can but instead we bumped it and got split apart. I came tumbling down rapid after rapid gasping for air and swallowing so much water. Thank God it was fresh water so it didn't hurt my throat or my nose. Even though it may be probably 10 minutes or so we were in the water, it felt like FOREVER! I was starting to panic... I think I started to have flashbacks. Then I felt a jolt of someone grabbing my life
vest and pulling me up. Hurray! Finally the other boat got me up and I hurried to get Tan as I was throwing up water, laying on my back on the raft floor. By that time everyone was out of the water and we took about 20 minutes break to recuperate.
Seth had rafted before and commented that it wasn't this bad so he was pissed and scared enough to decide on just walking back to the end and wait for us as the rest of us were determined to finish this Class 4 route (we had about 2-3 more Class 4's). So the girl behind me sat in Seth's place to make it an even keel. Here we go again with Josh's friend's boat in front to watch over us. Our next rapids were coming up on a fork bend and we had to veer to the right. As our came up to the bend, somehow we did not get it right and ended up reversed and hitting the wall on the left and tilted us enough that Tan and I fell off - again. Tan fell in and I was lucky enough to have my foot stuck
in long enough under the twarp which the others were able to grab me as I was falling in. Once in, they managed to push off the wall and I stumbling up to my spot as quick as I can so we can catch up to Tan and pull him up. In just a few seconds we pulled him up - by this time I'm sure Tan was like "Oh shit, not this again." Haha! We were all okay and we didn't need a rest break; we kept going. The last rapids was a wide enough one to avoid heavy foliage that was leaning over the river on the right... but for some reason (I swear it must have come in three's) we accidentally steered in the wrong direction and under the trees. We quickly ducked and good thing we had helmets. However, Tan didn't bend down all the way so a big branch hit him and he fell backwards on me and all the branches were hitting and scratching his face.
FINALLY... it was the end of the Class 4 route and back on the Class 3 route we were on. This time... we got it. As we
were approaching the end, there was a big bridge above and we looked up... it was Seth drinking his coffee with a smile and watching down at us. Apparently he was able to hitch a ride down. It was already about 5pm and we were all famished. We quickly packed up and drove back to camp where the rest of our friends were waiting at. We all got cleaned up and at around 7pm we all decided that we didn't want to cook so we all grubbed at the Kern River Brewery Co. We had some good local beer with our hearty burgers and fries and toasted to our new view of life (laughing hysterically) and good times! I think we were all "family" by then.
DAY 3 We crashed so hard last night, I can't believe the weekend was over so soon! Until next year... this trip will be the highlight of crazy adventures and great story telling. 😊
I thanked everyone for giving me an opportunity to experience something I never tried before. It really did open my eyes up for what's out there and have a great time with no strings attached.
I can
do whatever I want, whenever I want.
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