“ROW!, ROW, TRY TO STAY IN THE RAFT!!!” the guide shouted as we tumbled down the rapids with great speed. Bobbing up and down like a bobble head doll, water spraying everywhere. I was white water rafting, and it was my first time. I couldn’t be any more stoked, figuratively of course.

The trip alone to the Cascade White Water Rafting, and Kayak was gorgeous in itself. Pine trees towering over the highway, as you wind through the mountains. Every now and then you will spot the occasional deer darting across the road. Beware, they dart across the roads more towards Dusk. Making it hard to see on the trip back home, so slow down and enjoy the ride. Arriving to the place, a rustic small cabin with majestic mountain views, and the river rushing alongside it. I was in awe, not because of the scenery, but because this would be my first time down the rapids. I was nervous.

Rafting down the river at first was calming, the majestic blue skies with the mountains as a backdrop was stunning and serene to look at. Up ahead, I saw the first rapid we were coming into, my heart was racing ” What if I fall out of the boat and get swept underneath the currents? What do I do? ” I thought to myself as we were fast approaching the tumultuous waters. The boat dipped into the water, sending bucket loads of water into the orange raft, rowing as fast as we could into the harsh churning waters. I was told to put my feet underneath the straps, they provide safety and kept one from falling out of the raft. My fears after the first rapids dissolved, I was now anticipating and wishing for more rapids. I was loving it. In between the rapids, the group and I chatted about where we were from, the rapids, and the scenery. The guide even told us, that Kenny Chesney was going to raft with us, but opted out at the last second because he heard that it was supposed to rain. Bummer, the skies were clear now, the clouds floated away. My hopes of meeting the Country star vanished.
Turns out there is a fun thing to do whilst rafting, it’s known as “Ride the Bull”. Apparently, one sits on the front of the raft, on top of the rim of the boat, feet dangling over the sides all the while holding onto a thin rope. Sounds scary, holding on to a thin rope as you pummel through the rapids, swinging from side to side, hoping that you don’t fall over. A little girl, about the age of 7 decided to do so. I thought she was really brave, even I was scared to attempt this feat. “If a little girl can do it, so can I” I thought to myself. I got up to the front of the boat, held on to the rope and held on for dear life. I didn’t hold on as long as I thought I would, I merely fell backwards into the boat after five seconds. After some laughs from my friends, I was glad that I went through it. Glad that I didn’t cower in fear, if I hadn’t done it I would have regretted it.

Adrenaline takes over, you are hollering and whooping as you glide over the rapids with ease. Rowing as fast as you possibly can, while the cool mist of water splashes your face on a hot day, it cant get any better than that. When you get a chance, conquer the rapids, and maybe you will enjoy it as much as I did.