For the past three days we have been at a BSA Camp on the banks of the Salmon River in Idaho. It was a beautiful place, nestled away in the mountains, without cell phone coverage, Internet connections, and without my Jr. team - which was by far the hardest to go without! C. has had this desire to learn to kayak for sometime, inspired by the new YM leaders in our ward. He came home one week, and determined that he wanted to learn how. He started looking at tour guides that could take him on big rivers, and they were... not cheep! I encouraged him to see if the BSA offered a camp that offered Kayaking. Sure enough, he found one in the nation - in Salmon Idaho. It was about $200/person to go, and he pushed to have that be his 13 year old trip that we didn't take last year.
Several years ago, B & I determined that we wanted to not miss the magic moments of our kids growing up. We decided that we wanted to find a way to get away with each of our kids during those growing up years, namely at ages 13, 15, and 17 so that we don't turn around and have them 19 leaving on a mission without special memories together. We haven't exactly done that on each of those years, but we have made good efforts towards that goal, and that is what counts!
With J. when he was 13 we went just overnight (that was the intention that the first trip was something not real exotic, but fun - overnight kind of adventure) adding a night for each trip. Originally we also said that they had to raise 1/2 the money for their trip as well. J's 13 trip we did a century ride in CA. It was great fun! - Cool memories we will cherish forever!
L. said for her 13 trip she wanted to do the subway, but I was pregnant with J. It hasn't happened, and now she is 15! Oops! I did take time with her that year to go snow showing in Bryce Canyon with her girl scout troop however, B wasn't with us, so we didn't mark that off as counting. (Details, Details!)
B,C, & J. had an opportunity earlier this year to spend a night in Moab mountain biking with a friend of C's. That should count for this trip too, but I wasn't there so....
Anyway, the goal is to spend quality time enjoying an activity they plan for each of these stages of growing up. I have to say we are grateful for each memory!
This week has been no exception! B's parents came down and graciously spent the last three days with my Jr. team. Thank you! Thank you! The drive to Salmon is 10 hours! It was huge! We left Wednesday (B's B-day) late afternoon, drove until very late, slept on our cots in a church parking lot someplace in Idaho, and then woke up with the sun and kept driving, arriving at the camp about 10:00 a.m.. That morning they helped us shuttle our gear across the river, had lunch, and then took us to the kayaks! No sense wasting a day! We started from the camp and learned some rescue techniques, floating down an easy 7 miles from camp. Then they loaded all the gear and people in a bus, and took us some 7 miles above the camp, to float back down into camp. That was when the accident happened! Up to that point, all had been peaceful and calm. We started right off with a class 2 rapid, and I was following our fabulous kayak guide, E. which we affectionately came to call Elder E. He will leave on his mission to SC on Aug 12th. There were 10 participants in our group, and we had three kayak guides with us. I tried to watch over my shoulder to see that all of my family made it. Clear at the back of the pack I saw someone in the water. I strained to see who it was while trying to keep my kayak upright through the rapids. I came to learn from B. from Oregon who had joined our family group with her five boys that it was my B, and that he was bleeding. I pulled over to an eddy and then to the opposite side as I saw him climb out of the water and scramble up the shore line in his bare feet. I was quite a ways down the river, and his boat was still floating down stream. I managed to get to the guide who had his kayak and left mine with him as well, running to learn if he was ok. I finally managed to catch him, hiking back to the bus in his bare feet, with blood dripping from a large gash on the top of his nose. The guides didn't have any first aid supplies on their boats, and had told him to keep hiking back to the bus, while they were scrambling trying to get there themselves. I helped B to the bus, we found a gauze pad to hold against his nose, and layed him down on the bus. I then had to help get the kayaks loaded so we could treat B - he was headed to the hospital! In the meantime, my three oldest, J, L, and C were with the other guides, headed further down the river, unaware of what was happening. Miracles happened, and we managed to pull the kayaks up a very steep embankment to the road. There were some 5 people on the bus, a gentleman who was a member of the church and worthy to administer to B, and one of his scouts who had just been ordained an Elder. Another miracle just for me! That day we had many including the weather! The afternoon before it had been raining/blowing sideways very hard! That morning when we pulled in, the dark clouds surrounded the entire camp, but it never so much as dropped one drip on us while we were on the river. Anyway, we rode the 7 miles back to camp, these two priesthood holders gave B a blessing using the consecrated oil I had in the rig, I found dry clothes for B and I, and with him in the backseat, holding gauze on his nose, we headed to Salmon to the hospital. Some 45 minutes later, after driving through rain storms most of the way there, we arrived at the hospital to find one doctor, one nurse, and one intake receptionist. We learned very quickly that this was THE most remote hospital in the lower 48 states, and that we should be grateful for a hospital there, laughing at my request that they find the plastic surgeon on call. Ha ha! They had to call an x-ray tech in, but there was no hope of a plastic! Before the x-ray tech even got there they determined that it didn't matter wat the x-ray showed, there was nothing they could do, they wouldn't even put in a stitch because of the risk of infection. Whatever! They put on 4 steri strips across the top of his nose, and then the tech showed up. He took B to the x-ray room, I stood in the adjoining room, and when he came in with the film to inspect it on the screen, there was not doubt, both sides of his nose were broken! Of course, he couldn't claim that... he wasn't qualified! But it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that the bones are not connected anymore! Still there was nothing they would do for him! The accident happened around 4:30 I believe, and now it was 8:45 and they told us that even the only grocery store in town was about to close, and if we wanted even an Ibuprofen for that night we needed to hurry to the grocery store. The pharmacy had long since closed, but we were almost not going to get a piece of gauze to make it through the night. Now raining hard, we hurried to the car. Making it to the store in time, I left B in the car, and hurried in. We made it back to camp that night after 10 p.m. to find our three oldest there anxious to hear what had happened. The guides had filled them in, but we were glad to be back together again. These two pictures were taken in the hospital on our cell phone. These pictures really remind me of B's Grandpa Jensen!
B was told he should not be in the water again for fear of infection. So he didn't get back into a boat except to ferry across to camp late on Saturday night.
In the meantime, we did the COPES course the next day as a team... the "Steel heads" without our fearless leader B! He took pictures, I'll post later. That afternoon we took rubber rafts down the bottom portion of the Salmon river (portion that you don't have to have a permit for) through the class 3 and 4 rapids. Our guide for that part incorrectly thought that success meant that we had to go in the river. I tried to convince him that we didn't define success by how close to the edge of the cliff we could get, but rather how much fun we had together with true success of making it through without getting hurt! We did that, and managed to have the only two that went in a result of him throwing them in (not nice!) and then himself. We stopped at one cliff, and of course all four of my family jumped. It was not higher than 20 feet. We would have done it again and again, but there were so many who wanted a turn!
That night they held "rolling practice" about 7-9 during which time J set the camp record for learning that trick in about 13 seconds! Wow! One training turn, and he did it by himself with the superior instruction from his new friend Evan! Later that night we enjoyed an honor trail, ending with a sharing of feelings with this group sponsored by an Elks lodge in Oregon. It was a nice evening. We were fortunate to get paired with them. We hope our association with them continues.
The next day, of the 76 participants there for this adventure, there were only 15 who decided they were brave enough to face the fears of kayaking, and kayaked that bottom 7 miles of river we had floated the day before. Great guides from the camp encouraged us to go for it, telling us that once we made it through the first rapid, the rest was easier. I am not sure that is true, but we all made it through the first rapid! Corkscrew was close after, and in that one we weren't all so fortunate. I went down after one of our guides, J went in, and I was followed by L and then J who also both went in. C was clear at the back, and he was the only one in the family who didn't go it on corkscrew. J was able to roll himself back up, but over corrected and went down again, so he had to roll up twice - not a problem! He did it beautifully! Good Job J! C in the meantime had been talking to the guides in charge all weekend, and they all offered to keep him for the rest of the summer - saying they would love to have him on staff! He did a great job on the rapids, having a meltdown about mid section because he had been in twice, and he was scared. I don't know why he gets so uptight when he is scared! He did a great job! I went down twice (the third wasn't my fault - I didn't really go down, I just swamped it! We were in the middle of another rapid from trying to get in the last time I went over, and didn't have time to put my skirt on. The waves crashed right into me totally swamping my kayak. I was grateful that E was there to take such good care of us! He is an amazing young man!
By Saturday about noon, we had kayaked successfully the entire bottom section! Yea! Uno because we are Uno! First group out, waited at least 30 minutes for the other groups to catch us after they had to stop and clean up the "carnage" all over the river from members of their groups crashing. We had a great trip, and in the end we were all grateful we had been brave enough to try it! It wasn't so bad. Just like in life, if when you get into rough water - just keep paddling as hard as you can, and hold on! Lean into the problems and they will help you along! Smile, and try to stay loose so you can roll with the turbulence. It was full of great live analogies! Loved the adventure! Thanks C! Thanks B! Thanks J! Thanks L! I am so grateful we were able to share it together! We didn't arrive home until Sunday morning about 3, taking turns driving, but so happy to finally get home! We found everything in good order here! Thanks again G&G Harr! It was a great weekend - despite B's injury. Meanwhile, he called our neighbor Dr. D and asked about broken noses, who laughed and told him to be in his office on Monday at 11. I better get to bed, or it will be 11 and I will have missed the entire night.
Lots happening this week, I will keep trying to catch up. Miracles were numberless everyday! The spirit around the campfire was so strong. The weather was absolutely perfect! The guides were great! The guardian angels were all working over time to help us through! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I love special memories together!
Several years ago, B & I determined that we wanted to not miss the magic moments of our kids growing up. We decided that we wanted to find a way to get away with each of our kids during those growing up years, namely at ages 13, 15, and 17 so that we don't turn around and have them 19 leaving on a mission without special memories together. We haven't exactly done that on each of those years, but we have made good efforts towards that goal, and that is what counts!
With J. when he was 13 we went just overnight (that was the intention that the first trip was something not real exotic, but fun - overnight kind of adventure) adding a night for each trip. Originally we also said that they had to raise 1/2 the money for their trip as well. J's 13 trip we did a century ride in CA. It was great fun! - Cool memories we will cherish forever!
L. said for her 13 trip she wanted to do the subway, but I was pregnant with J. It hasn't happened, and now she is 15! Oops! I did take time with her that year to go snow showing in Bryce Canyon with her girl scout troop however, B wasn't with us, so we didn't mark that off as counting. (Details, Details!)
B,C, & J. had an opportunity earlier this year to spend a night in Moab mountain biking with a friend of C's. That should count for this trip too, but I wasn't there so....
Anyway, the goal is to spend quality time enjoying an activity they plan for each of these stages of growing up. I have to say we are grateful for each memory!
This week has been no exception! B's parents came down and graciously spent the last three days with my Jr. team. Thank you! Thank you! The drive to Salmon is 10 hours! It was huge! We left Wednesday (B's B-day) late afternoon, drove until very late, slept on our cots in a church parking lot someplace in Idaho, and then woke up with the sun and kept driving, arriving at the camp about 10:00 a.m.. That morning they helped us shuttle our gear across the river, had lunch, and then took us to the kayaks! No sense wasting a day! We started from the camp and learned some rescue techniques, floating down an easy 7 miles from camp. Then they loaded all the gear and people in a bus, and took us some 7 miles above the camp, to float back down into camp. That was when the accident happened! Up to that point, all had been peaceful and calm. We started right off with a class 2 rapid, and I was following our fabulous kayak guide, E. which we affectionately came to call Elder E. He will leave on his mission to SC on Aug 12th. There were 10 participants in our group, and we had three kayak guides with us. I tried to watch over my shoulder to see that all of my family made it. Clear at the back of the pack I saw someone in the water. I strained to see who it was while trying to keep my kayak upright through the rapids. I came to learn from B. from Oregon who had joined our family group with her five boys that it was my B, and that he was bleeding. I pulled over to an eddy and then to the opposite side as I saw him climb out of the water and scramble up the shore line in his bare feet. I was quite a ways down the river, and his boat was still floating down stream. I managed to get to the guide who had his kayak and left mine with him as well, running to learn if he was ok. I finally managed to catch him, hiking back to the bus in his bare feet, with blood dripping from a large gash on the top of his nose. The guides didn't have any first aid supplies on their boats, and had told him to keep hiking back to the bus, while they were scrambling trying to get there themselves. I helped B to the bus, we found a gauze pad to hold against his nose, and layed him down on the bus. I then had to help get the kayaks loaded so we could treat B - he was headed to the hospital! In the meantime, my three oldest, J, L, and C were with the other guides, headed further down the river, unaware of what was happening. Miracles happened, and we managed to pull the kayaks up a very steep embankment to the road. There were some 5 people on the bus, a gentleman who was a member of the church and worthy to administer to B, and one of his scouts who had just been ordained an Elder. Another miracle just for me! That day we had many including the weather! The afternoon before it had been raining/blowing sideways very hard! That morning when we pulled in, the dark clouds surrounded the entire camp, but it never so much as dropped one drip on us while we were on the river. Anyway, we rode the 7 miles back to camp, these two priesthood holders gave B a blessing using the consecrated oil I had in the rig, I found dry clothes for B and I, and with him in the backseat, holding gauze on his nose, we headed to Salmon to the hospital. Some 45 minutes later, after driving through rain storms most of the way there, we arrived at the hospital to find one doctor, one nurse, and one intake receptionist. We learned very quickly that this was THE most remote hospital in the lower 48 states, and that we should be grateful for a hospital there, laughing at my request that they find the plastic surgeon on call. Ha ha! They had to call an x-ray tech in, but there was no hope of a plastic! Before the x-ray tech even got there they determined that it didn't matter wat the x-ray showed, there was nothing they could do, they wouldn't even put in a stitch because of the risk of infection. Whatever! They put on 4 steri strips across the top of his nose, and then the tech showed up. He took B to the x-ray room, I stood in the adjoining room, and when he came in with the film to inspect it on the screen, there was not doubt, both sides of his nose were broken! Of course, he couldn't claim that... he wasn't qualified! But it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that the bones are not connected anymore! Still there was nothing they would do for him! The accident happened around 4:30 I believe, and now it was 8:45 and they told us that even the only grocery store in town was about to close, and if we wanted even an Ibuprofen for that night we needed to hurry to the grocery store. The pharmacy had long since closed, but we were almost not going to get a piece of gauze to make it through the night. Now raining hard, we hurried to the car. Making it to the store in time, I left B in the car, and hurried in. We made it back to camp that night after 10 p.m. to find our three oldest there anxious to hear what had happened. The guides had filled them in, but we were glad to be back together again. These two pictures were taken in the hospital on our cell phone. These pictures really remind me of B's Grandpa Jensen!
B was told he should not be in the water again for fear of infection. So he didn't get back into a boat except to ferry across to camp late on Saturday night.
In the meantime, we did the COPES course the next day as a team... the "Steel heads" without our fearless leader B! He took pictures, I'll post later. That afternoon we took rubber rafts down the bottom portion of the Salmon river (portion that you don't have to have a permit for) through the class 3 and 4 rapids. Our guide for that part incorrectly thought that success meant that we had to go in the river. I tried to convince him that we didn't define success by how close to the edge of the cliff we could get, but rather how much fun we had together with true success of making it through without getting hurt! We did that, and managed to have the only two that went in a result of him throwing them in (not nice!) and then himself. We stopped at one cliff, and of course all four of my family jumped. It was not higher than 20 feet. We would have done it again and again, but there were so many who wanted a turn!
That night they held "rolling practice" about 7-9 during which time J set the camp record for learning that trick in about 13 seconds! Wow! One training turn, and he did it by himself with the superior instruction from his new friend Evan! Later that night we enjoyed an honor trail, ending with a sharing of feelings with this group sponsored by an Elks lodge in Oregon. It was a nice evening. We were fortunate to get paired with them. We hope our association with them continues.
The next day, of the 76 participants there for this adventure, there were only 15 who decided they were brave enough to face the fears of kayaking, and kayaked that bottom 7 miles of river we had floated the day before. Great guides from the camp encouraged us to go for it, telling us that once we made it through the first rapid, the rest was easier. I am not sure that is true, but we all made it through the first rapid! Corkscrew was close after, and in that one we weren't all so fortunate. I went down after one of our guides, J went in, and I was followed by L and then J who also both went in. C was clear at the back, and he was the only one in the family who didn't go it on corkscrew. J was able to roll himself back up, but over corrected and went down again, so he had to roll up twice - not a problem! He did it beautifully! Good Job J! C in the meantime had been talking to the guides in charge all weekend, and they all offered to keep him for the rest of the summer - saying they would love to have him on staff! He did a great job on the rapids, having a meltdown about mid section because he had been in twice, and he was scared. I don't know why he gets so uptight when he is scared! He did a great job! I went down twice (the third wasn't my fault - I didn't really go down, I just swamped it! We were in the middle of another rapid from trying to get in the last time I went over, and didn't have time to put my skirt on. The waves crashed right into me totally swamping my kayak. I was grateful that E was there to take such good care of us! He is an amazing young man!
By Saturday about noon, we had kayaked successfully the entire bottom section! Yea! Uno because we are Uno! First group out, waited at least 30 minutes for the other groups to catch us after they had to stop and clean up the "carnage" all over the river from members of their groups crashing. We had a great trip, and in the end we were all grateful we had been brave enough to try it! It wasn't so bad. Just like in life, if when you get into rough water - just keep paddling as hard as you can, and hold on! Lean into the problems and they will help you along! Smile, and try to stay loose so you can roll with the turbulence. It was full of great live analogies! Loved the adventure! Thanks C! Thanks B! Thanks J! Thanks L! I am so grateful we were able to share it together! We didn't arrive home until Sunday morning about 3, taking turns driving, but so happy to finally get home! We found everything in good order here! Thanks again G&G Harr! It was a great weekend - despite B's injury. Meanwhile, he called our neighbor Dr. D and asked about broken noses, who laughed and told him to be in his office on Monday at 11. I better get to bed, or it will be 11 and I will have missed the entire night.
Lots happening this week, I will keep trying to catch up. Miracles were numberless everyday! The spirit around the campfire was so strong. The weather was absolutely perfect! The guides were great! The guardian angels were all working over time to help us through! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I love special memories together!