liveonearth

I am just back from a lovely day on the river, though I was somewhat psychological about it.  We paddled "the Farmlands" a class IV section of the White Salmon River in Washington.  The last time I was there I had a bad experience--I nearly drowned.  The time before that was even worse--somebody died.  These events have had a definite impact on my enthusiasm and confidence.  I have avoided the place.  I'm trying to get over my phobia but I am done running this section for this year.  I am not motivated to go there again at low water.  The smell of cattle is unappealing.  It really does go through farmland.

It's a narrow little stream in a basalt gorge pretty much the whole way.  Sometimes, like at Chris' place, the cliffs are 70 feet above the water.  Other places, like at Sidewinder, they're more like 5-15 feet high.

I was ready to take out at someone's property but decided to continue downstream and ended up having some fun.  I stopped dropping into my fear posture so fast and reminding myself to sit up and open my heart.

I did hurt myself.  I dropped the end of my boat on my own foot but it was not broken.  And my right shoulder is tweaked again.  These are the complaints of a kayaker who doesn't have anything better to complain about.  I could complain about my job but it's not that bad.  I could complain about W but he's gone for 4 days.  I am happy to be at home alone where I can eat an apple, cheese and crackers for dinner if I want to.