Yes, I am in there somewhere.
So, I’m going to jump on the bandwagon and say that rafting was also the highlight of my NCCAT experience this week. There are several reasons why this is important for me. For one, I can’t swim and have NEVER been in the middle of any sizable body of water (including a pool) because of that fact. I have always stayed safely at the edge, close to where I can get out quickly and easily. Two, I absolutely ABHOR cold water. Any water that touches my skin has to be at least 90 degrees or I am a really unhappy camper. Three, and this one is going to sound weird…I don’t like to wear shorts or any other thing that exposes large amounts of “me.” Needless to say, I enjoy my comfort zone. However, every once in a while, I also enjoy stepping outside of that zone. Rafting was definitely one of those experiences for me. I put my shorts and T-shirt on, strapped on some water shoes and got in a raft to go eight miles down a river with rapids that could potentially throw me into fifty degree water where I could possibly drown….and it was awesome. I will be doing it again. Maybe I’ll even take some swimming lessons this summer.
I’m curious, how many other Fellows out there took a step outside their comfort zones to go down that river and what other things have you done that made you stretch beyond your “normal?”
I don’t find it strange that you don’t like to wear shorts because I don’t either!! I wish I wasn’t so AWARE of my bare legs, but as an older adult whose body has been through some physical catastrophies, I have this strong inner sense that I have no business exposing them to the world!
However, I’m so glad that the “shorts” issue didn’t interfere with my ability to put myself in a raft. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you sharing that it was an “issue” for you, too. I feel much better!! You know what else was an unexpected challenge about our rafting trip? I was tentative about the experience, sure, but I got downright nervous when I grabbed the rope to help get our boat to the water! Weird! I’m glad it didn’t last.
I can’t tell you how impressed I am to learn that you overcame such challenging barriers to the rafting experience! What about the experience is motivating you to learn to swim?
I agree, getting the boat in the water was a little surreal. I remember thinking…am I really doing this? And as for my shorts, I just find it best not to unleash my chicken legs very often… they look much better under a long flowing skirt (lol) but I too am glad that it didn’t keep me from getting in the boat and rafting. As far as my motivation to learn how to swim….I want to try more water activities now that I’ve been rafting. I definitely want to go rafting again, perhaps on a “higher class” river (haha) and I’ve always thought parasailing looked pretty cool, but I definitely want to know how to swim before flying out above the ocean. I like staying alive. 🙂
I am young and still sometimes feel funny wearing shorts! Thank you so much for putting yourself out there and sharing. The cold water DEFINITELY was not something I enjoyed, but I still decided to jump in. It made me freeze, but I am glad I did it. I am also glad you enjoyed rafting! 🙂
The water was ridiculously cold wasn’t it? I was so thankful for the WARM breezes and WARM rain that came every once in a while. I don’t know how people do things like swimming in icy cold water. We nicknamed our raft “Team Freezy Cheeks.”
Hey there Angel,
I love your photo caption… makes me smile right away. Of course, your banner and tagline made me chuckle BUT the darling child hatching out of her egg is priceless. Perhaps, aside from being your darling daughter she symbolizes your alter ego being reborn to new experiences and taking on new experiences.
In answer to your question, “how many other Fellows out there took a step outside their comfort zones to go down that river and what other things have you done that made you stretch beyond your “normal?” – I was very happy to leap of THE rock on the river. That is not something I do all the time and it felt great to be challenged. I considered just sitting in the boat abut hated to miss the fun that others seem to be having. What ‘other things have you done” might include stopping at ‘historic Canton’ and ‘Carl Sandburg’s Home Historic Monument’ en route home. I do love exploring new places so there was no challenge there except turning off the interstate. Sometimes in life, just turning off the normal route is wonderful and inspiring.
Donna
Yes Donna, that little girl is definitely my inspiration to do many things that I wouldn’t have done before. She’s very curious and adventurous and small children, though so vulnerable, don’t know that they are supposed to be “afraid” of things…so they just jump in and do them! A lot of adults could benefit from returning to that kind of philosophy, at least for a moment or two. I was so PROUD of you to jump off that rock. I was cheering you all the way! Personally, it was something I had no desire to do (the full body COLD bath was just going too far), but I thought you were a total ROCKSTAR up there! You jumped with such confidence. I love to travel and stop at places along the way too, there’s usually so many things to do and see en route to one’s destination….seems a shame not to take a detour! 🙂
April,
I LOVE detours and side trips, also!
Donna