As with last year, the water was low and the floating was interrupted by some 'manual labor' in the form of pushing and/or dragging our rafts. We were prepared for this though. Thanks to Mother Nature being stingy with the rain over the past year, we knew there would be 'work' involved with our relaxing float.
This year, however, was a little different. This year 'reality' entered our weekend get-away. Let's just say that we all planned to finish the 5-mile float back at the resort, all together.. not after watching one of our group members and spouse leave with the EMS. That was a first for us. I'll mention now that our friend is fine and was back at the cabin as dark was falling. The doctors did plenty of tests to cover all bases. It was a happy ending to a scary stop about half-way through our float.
After some reflection, I'd like to share a few 'lessons' from my experience down the Elk River ~
- Make sure you are taking care of yourself, take time for what You need. Prescription glasses (or whatever else) can be replaced.. You, however, cannot.
- Watch your step. Tread carefully along the rocky path.. You never know when your footing will shift, or the current will change, or a huge rock will unexpectedly and painfully find your big toe.
- Keep your friends close, old and new. They will be there when you stumble.
- When push comes to shove (quite literally in our case), you really do learn a lot about a person.
- There are many wonderful people in the world who are ready and willing to step up - Angels in disguise are everywhere.
Good friends, good food, good times..
I'm so lucky to be a part of such a great group of friends ~ A special thank you to the wonderful strangers who stopped to help our group.. White Bikini, 'Duck Dynasty,' Nurse 1 and Nurse 2, Two Overwhelmed Guys, and several others. Hopefully, we won't need any assistance on future floats.
Side note - I should mention that the members in our group were amazing also. You know who you are!
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