Passing Up the Panic Train

Linda Seitz, PeaksandValleys.life 

Creating bountiful stories from our otherwise ordinary lives.

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“I begin to think, that a calm is not
desirable in any situation in my life. 
Man was made for action and for
​bustle too, I believe.”
-Abigail Adams

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Last summer we took a camping trip to celebrate my husband’s retirement.  We hitched the travel-trailer to the truck, filled up on gas and food, created a comfortable bed in the back seat for the dogs and headed off with the plan of driving all the way to South Dakota to see Mount Rushmore.  During that trip, we basically “winged it” in regards to finding camping spots and landmarks to visit along the way.  

One day, as we rounded the corner of a road that was seemingly unending, we came upon a beautiful view of the river down below and quickly turned into the campground that was along the water.  Excitedly, we were enticed by the movement of the rushing water and quickly chose a campspot on the grass that had a pathway to the river.  

That evening at sunset, with a glass of wine in hand, sitting lazily by the water, we made a decision to brave the river in the morning.   The campground we were at offered “white water” rafting expeditions that you could sign up for in their general store.  We had gone white water rafting before with a guide and a whole boatload of people, but this time it would be different.  The clerk at the store fitted us for life vests, gave us our inflated canoe and sent us on our way.  I asked if a guide would be coming with us and he replied, “No, the river’s water flow speed is acceptable for you guys to go on your own - of course we could give you individual canoes if you prefer, hardly ever does a couple go rafting together that they don’t come back divorced.”  Ha, Ha…the laughter ensued as we picked up our raft and paddles and hit the water.  

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