Yikes, that's a lot of water.....

A few years ago a group of "us guys" started a new tradition.  We each bought one-man, inflatable pontoon boats and began the odyssey of  what was to become our annual fishing expedition. Last year was the first trip for this illustrious group, and it was a resounding success.....Floating lazily down a quiet stream in Arkansas (can you visualize the movie Deliverance), casting along the bank for smallmouth bass, but mostly just enjoying the beautiful scenery along the Buffalo River.

The trip last year included four of us who are roughly the same age and two gentlemen who were in their eighties. Those two men literally wore the rest of us out.....up before dawn fixing breakfast, rousting the group from our semi-comfortable sleeping accommodations, and "encouraging" everyone to get an early start on the river.  This year I think the two of them felt like we slowed them down, so they took off for another adventure in North Dakota, leaving us to fend for ourselves. We did, however, recruit another fellow to come along this time....brand new boat.....never been on any river....ever!

We schedule the trips for the week prior to Memorial Day which is usually just about perfect for fishing, floating, and avoiding the crazies that show up on the weekend.  We rather like having the river to ourselves to enjoy the solitude of a quiet float down the river, sans the scores of  upended canoes abandoned by those who find it too difficult to paddle and drink simultaneously.

Our well-planned adventure this year got off to a rocky start.  The week(s) prior to our trip were filled with thunderstorms, tornadoes, and rain that was measured by the foot instead of by the inch!  Well, at least there would be water in the river we thought.

The lady at the Ranger station said, "I've lived on this river my entire life and there is no way I'd get on it".  The fellow at the canoe rental place told us, "Too dangerous. We're not putting anyone on the river today".  Great, at least we'll have the river to ourselves! 

We drove on down to one of the landings where we were met with a great big sign that read, DANGER - RIVER AT FLOOD STAGE.  "Oh, how dangerous can it be" we say as we drove down for a closer look.  "Yikes, that's a lot of water, what do you think?"

Evidently "thinking" was not something we felt the need to include in the equation as we drove up to the headwaters with our trusty pontoon boats in tow.  The water was somewhat lower at the top, and a few other "brave" souls eyed the roiling waters with a fair amount of apprehension.  "Oh, what the heck, we're experienced rafters....".  Even our newest member had spent some time with his new boat in the swimming pool back home.....even prepared himself for inclement weather by having his wife turn the hose on him while he practiced his turns. As we all know, preparation is key.

"Here we go".........."Hey this is a piece of cake"......."Wow, this water is moving really fast"......."Is there a way to stop this thing"......."Michael, row your boat ashore"......."Geez, that was great, let's do it again"!

Just another one of life's little adventures.....If you don't live on the edge you're not living, right?  Once again, proving beyond a shadow of doubt....What do I know?