What…why is he calling me?
“Hey, slight change in plans. Do you mind going to North Carolina? It means the river starting with a ‘G.’”
“Yes! Let’s do it.”
“We’re going to need a shuttle.”
“Dana will do it.”
“Cool. I’ll get it planned.”
I didn’t sleep for three nights. Excitement coursed through my veins like a child’s on Christmas Eve. Chasing sleep, I began visualizing the things I do well in a kayak and practicing my roll in my mind, ignoring the things I don’t do well. I wasn’t going to use them, so they didn’t matter. The plan was laid out. Walk the Big 3; depending on your day, pick and choose what you’ll run. Be smart about this. The river is going to be here a long time – no need to overstep your skill set. Remember to breathe and look around.
“Follow Big Hungry. It goes left and right – just stay on it all the way to the parking lot.”
It’s for real now. I’m at the Green, alongside people who get paid to paddle. I’ve stepped into a biker bar wearing a pair of chinos and a polo shirt. I’m clearly new in this lot.
“Hey, man, first time?”
“Yup.”
“Cool, have a good run.”
.06 mile downhill on a good trail. I can do that. (Thanks, Sam). Boat on shoulder, let’s march. Finally, there’s the water. Well, that doesn’t look bad.
“Hey, man, first time?”
“Yup.”
“Cool, have a good run.”
In the boat, slide into the water. Breathe, you belong here. You can do this. You’ve a plan, follow the plan. A little something to warm up. What’s those rocks? Oh, here we go. Relax and breathe.
“Hey, man, first time?”
“Yup.”
“Cool, have a good run.”
“Eddy out here…let’s look at this one. Watch these guys. What do you think?”
“I don’t like the landing.”
“Okay, pull your boat here; I”ll help you get in.”
Back in the water, more rapids. Breathe…just breathe. You’re upright and at the bottom, another one done. Keep paddling. Keep breathing. Paddle, react, breathe and scout. Yay or nay – no pressure, your decision. I see the line. I can do this one. Another one down. Another portage. Good decision – get it next time or the time after; doesn’t matter. It’s the Green.
“Hey, man, first time?”
“Yup.”
“Cool, have a good run.”
How far are we? How much is left? Remember to turn around and look upstream and look around. Quit staring at the Jackson logo – head up and breathe. Keep the bow up. Watch your angle, lean into the rock, head down, don’t touch the cord. Roll, Roll now.
“Hey, man, first time?”
“Yup.”
“Buy a key for the next time, all right?”