A few years ago I moved in to a new singles ward here in Salt Lake City. To make a long story short after about 6 months into my experience there I got linked up with a group of people that were planning a canoe trip. The group started out rather large but by the time the trip came around we were down to just a handful of girls who had actually committed to go. Our plan was to canoe Labyrinth Canyon on the Green River because our fearless leader, Kim, had been on that stretch a number of times with her family. If I recall correctly, I don't think that any of the rest of us had ever done much canoeing.
In June 2005 we loaded up our gear and our canoes and headed down to Green River State Park. It was raining cats and dogs and continued to do so throughout the night. I ended up sleeping in Lake Alyssa on my side of the apparently not-so-waterproof tent. We got up the next morning, rain still pouring, and actually went to a laundromat to dry some of our sleeping bags and other gear before packing up for the river.
Again, long story short we practically risked our lives crossing flooded out roads to get to the launch area and then braved hypothermia and death to get on the river in a cold downpour. We were still practically new acquaintances yet we pulled together and forged onward in the face of many challenges and ended up having a wonderfully fulfilling experience that has bonded us together and forever formed the Labyrinth Canyon Ladies Club.
We have now made our canoe adventure an annual trip and this past weekend we made our third journey down our stretch of the Green. Unfortunately with Candice in India and Margot otherwise occupied, we were down to four faithful members of the LCLC. Here we are the night before jumping on the river (the front of our shirts paying homage to our missing comrades):
It seems like every year we face a new set of challenges. This year it was the heat, low water, almost non-existent current and on day 2 the wind. Who would have ever thought that you could come face-to-face with white caps and waves crashing into your canoe on what is supposed to be one of the flattest stretches of water around? At one point we struggled to make headway on about a 1/4 mile stretch until we could reach a large sand bar in the middle of the river. While there we played "worst case scenario" and actually considered having to stay another night on the river. That idea seemed not so great once we saw the large feline-esque paw/claw prints along the bank of the river. Hmmm..
So we prayed for some guidance and waited it out a bit knowing that it was already 4:30 p.m. with 10 miles to go and that we wouldn't make the take out area in the dark. And NO ONE wanted to float the 52 miles past our take out until the next one! We were able to get back on the river and even though we did battle the wind on and off, I know that we were given strength beyond our own to keep paddling and make unreal time to finish the last 10 miles in just about 2 1/2 hours. So just remember that life lesson...perhaps God will not calm the winds that beat against you, but he will give you the strength to press forward.
We didn't get back to SLC until about 3 a.m.--entirely exhausted in every way imaginable. But despite this year's challenges, the annual LCLC trip is something I wouldn't miss for the world. There is nothing better than getting far away from cell phones, TV, work and the stresses of every day life and floating down a river in between beautiful red rock canyon walls. I am so grateful for the canoe buddies that have become like family to me and that we can celebrate our friendship every year with a little kick-butt canoeing! Paddle on ladies, paddle on!!
The road out of Mineral Bottom has a ton of curves with steep drop-offs. Nice work behind the wheel Kimmie!
3 comments:
I liked your "moral of the story." I wrote a similar blog about kayaking in Hawaii and a 6 pack of Coke!
P.S. Loving your blog!
Sounds super exciting. Glad you girls had a good time. And thanks for the link--here's a Woot! Woot! for O-town!
You never cease to amaze me. How I would have loved to join you on this trip. Best of luck in India!
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