River Ruckus 2008

RIVER RUCKUS 1rst ANNUAL '08

YES!  I did it again... put together the 1rst annual rafting trip, that I never thought I would do again... but all it took was one person to be all excited about it, and here you go... I managed to get another 25 friends, mostly the same group from last year, with a few new faces.  The only thing that stressed me out was being sure that we had a place to stay, since Carson (my brother- in law and guide) place was not available, and I was sad... cause this place was SWEET!  It was right next to a beautiful river in Prechastin that connected to the Wenatchee river.  But finally got a hold of my other brother in-law, Cody... which spoiled again was right next to the raging Wenatchee river, and had a great flat lawn for all of us to pitch our tents. 

So we get there Friday night, just in time to scope out, set-up before the rain and sunset hit.  Everyone else arrived, got settled... then we lounged out by the fire the rest of the night. The morning came... I could not tell you how happy I was, the sky was blue and the sun was shining bright...but hell...nothing worst then waking up sweaty hot, we couldn't crack any windows that night because it was raining.  So waking up a little earlier then I wanted too, a few others poking there heads out for some fresh air...and of course Sheena, who I should just start calling Rooster, was already up the butt crack of dawn and off on a little jog.  Sam, our friend cooked some great breakfast for everyone, sat around and watched Cody and a group of men figure out how to run a Slack line about 300 ft and about 20 ft off the water... to be able to walk across on!  Yeah!   That was a fun thing to watch... get a group of men together on a crazy project like this was quite entertaining!  It never got done... they got the safety line across by Pat kayaking over, but as hard as that was... they couldn't manage getting the slack line over... oh well, I wouldn't doubt it will be there next year, watch the whole thing again. :)

Meantime, Carson shows up to get the boats blown up and cars loaded to get to take out and put in.  Everyone got their stuff together and off we go!!!

We get to the put in and my boat consist of Cody, our guide, Tyler my husband and a few friends Toby, Marissa, Sheena and Gene (who I did not know, came out of nowhere).  About 15minutes down the river, one of the first real rapids, we hit a good hole, got knocked around a bit... I turned around and there was no one there!  Cody, Gene and Sheena had gotten knocked out... I look off to the side and there is Cody with wide eyes reaching for the boat, so the Hero I was, I reached out the end of my paddle and pulled him in... I look off to the distance and there is Sheena way behind about 200ft just floating the rapids, our safety kayaker Pat went for rescue, now Gene on the other hand managed to the front of the boat...Tyler pulled him in.  We get Sheena in the boat a while down, who still had her paddle...but lost her buff and what she calls her fast glassed...but she had her paddle - Good girl!  :)  After a few breaths and laughs, Marissa looked down and Sheena had ripped a good chunk off her Toe and was bleeding.  The rest of the trip down rocked... the water was so high, the holes were huge and smiling faces were shining all around.  Good times!

Vano's boat...

We get to the take out at a park in Cashmere... set up a Volley ball net and played for hours, having some drinks, eating food and laughing lots!  It was so much fun and such a blessing to have a life where you can play so hard and have so much fun with so many great people!  I'm grateful!

Well, time flies... we all get hungry and decide to pack up and go back to camp site for some grub.  I had made some of my delicious basil burgers...which consist of basil, light garlic, soy sauce, honey and put some fresh corn salsa on top... oh you just don't even know.  Brought enough to share for 18 people... they were gone, Others brought steak and brats...etc.  We know how to BBQ while camping!  Another night of hanging out, as it starts to rain... in our group were a few Air Force survivor instructors who were all about setting up... one brings an old parachute that was layed above the fire pit, and kept everyone dry.  So we sat around the fire, grubbed on food and enjoyed the company greatly.  The night went on, a new group of people came in and snagged some to go out on the town... as tired that I was, I went to bed.  (Is this old talk?)  Last thoughts of what tomorrow was going to look like, I crashed hard. :)

My sweet niece Bradyn & I

Wake up to another great morning, of the sun shining and hella hot!  Vano and Sam were already up making some breakfast with some leftovers from last night; eggs, steak, cheese etc.  How great they were providing for everyone.  I love these guys!  

The men still pondering over the dilema of getting the slack line across... and others wondering what was going on that day, along with myself, with this new group that Carson had invited to raft that day, I had to split up the group and have some go play volleyball and those who really wanted to raft again take the leftover spots on the boats.  It is always hard when people can't make up their minds on what they wanted to do...going back and forth with to many in the boats and then ended up bribing people to come, cause we needed more in the boat!  Ah Geez!  Well I went again, this time in Vano's boat ( who reminds me of Jack Black) Fun guy and a great guide.  He was more spontaneous, as most of the ride we were spinning the boats over the rapids... actually got dizzy!  :)  So Fun though... ended up loosing a camera in the water... someone had thrown it and the other person didn't know what was going on and *bloop* in the water.  It's water proof, so if anyone wants to go scubadiving for it, i can show you the big hole it's under!  haha!

On another note, Carson boat again the same rapid as yesterday that Cody, Gene and Sheena fell out of, well we turned around and saw Carson stading on the bottom of the boat alone, looking for the rest of the crew...as of when they flipped all ended up under the boat....  So Carson grabs and end flips it over and the whole crew was holding on, we paddled near to look for floating paddles and helped the crew load up.  Oh man, were people freaked!  Apparently story stands that they did not have enough power paddling to get over a hole, swept them back and flipped!  SCARY!  but all enjoys the rest of the ride...good thing!

The ride ends again to the park, where we meet with the rest of the crew, playing yet more volleyball!  I love outdoor volleyball!  Vano and Sharifa treat us with like 20 boxes of pizza for everyone... and hung out again till the weather turned and half of the party start to pack and head back for home.  The other half, like me... got packed up and headed to Carson Cabin/House to stay for the night with about 25 other people!  The girls got their 5 minute shower... and enjoyed yet another night hanging out by the fire, some playing drinking games and others heading to bed.  Slept on the floor that night and woke up to Carson's dog Bella, literally chewing on her foot about 6 inches from my face...gross!

Got packed up and went and watched Pat kayak the little river!  He rocks...I wish I can whitewater kayak!  but I think for now I'll stick with the flatwater...:) I choose to keep myself alive a little longer! but it's sure is a rush!

Then we decided to go for a hike into some old tunnels!  This tunnel was so dark and the little headlamps we had spread out... i bumped, scraped and freaked!  But it was cool!  Except for these rats or whatever they were...running along out heads in pitch black.  And with me not having any light to see anything everything thing I felt touch me made me jump!  And of course we get to the end, Dead end! as the only way back was to go back through the tunnel...SWEET!  ; /

So fun times it was... it came down to getting home before it got to late, and off we were.  Get home and two of our friend AJ and Beth pretty much unload everything for us and makes some nachos to eat and watched DVR shows of the OFFICE (haha good stuff!) while we waited for their rides to come pick them up.

So, will I put together this trip again... you bet!  In all the craziness and hassles...it's all worth it, cause all the love, smiles, memories outweighs it all.  Thanks everyone for such a good life! 

               My hot husband Tyler - the photographer!