We arrived at the drop-off point in the early afternoon the next day. The sweet smell of fresh pine trees was floating in the air and a soft midsummer breeze was brushing against our faces. After receiving directions and safety precautions from our rafting instructor, we geared up, boarded our raft, and set out for our voyage down the treacherous Nantahala. Sharing the experience with me were my mother, aunt, uncle, and cousin; along with out rafting guide. We were all ready for a fun and safe ride down the Nantahala.
My perch ato... ... middle of paper ... ...her came over to me knelt down, lifted me on his back and carried me to the car. I was very thankful for his help because I honestly don't think I could have walked all the way. However, it wasn't the event itself that stayed with me over the years but rather the risk I took. Every decision you make in life is a risk, all you can do is learn from the experiences. Since that day I have taken numerous swimming lessons.
At some points we would stop and slide down natural slides, or stop for photo ops. It was so fun to be surrounded by all my friends and family there with me; even my 77 year old grandma, who also climbed the falls. Finally we reached the top, and it was such an accomplishment that we all completed
Have you ever been to a place that made you feel free? As free as a bird soaring through the sky? The Old Pond was that place for me, and though I haven’t seen its sandy edges in what seems like an eternity, I still remember it like it was yesterday. As I think about the place that once brought me such joy, I am suddenly there again. The scent of the giant pine trees, the feeling of the pond’s minnows tickling my feet, the sunshine cascading down from the opening of the trees.
With the help of my cousin on the beach I was able to be up riding a wakeboard within minutes. I remember people watching me on the beach and cheering for me when I finally got up on the wakeboard. After that day I was no longer intimidated by the Columbia River. I think I spent enough time in the water that day that I was finally comfortable with being in the river. Ever since that day, wakeboarding is one of my favorite ways to utilize my free time.
The New River is wide, shallow, stony and clear, which allows the sun to augment the warm water conditions even more. The river can reach temperatures as high as 85 to 90 degre... ... middle of paper ... ...t amounts of rain led to out of the normal high river levels, causing The New River Junction to close on multiple times for the safety of the people (Cline, Kelly). Unfortunately the campground of the river is only open 7 days a week from May 1st through September 30th. The New River is the new hot spot in Blacksburg for those people who love the beach. The closest beach to Blacksburg it is probably about 4 hours away.
Of the stories on the syllabus the one that I most closely related to was “The Big Two-Hearted River” by Earnest Hemmingway. During my first reading of this story it was the setting and the action of the main character Nick Adams that I connected with. Reading the opening sentences, grand visions of my childhood danced through my head. The story took me back to happy times of summers spent alone with my grandfather in the mountains of West Virginia. Like Nick, the camping and fishing trips were a welcomed relief from the city life and school for me.
Since I am a high school student, most people would say that I have my entire life and many experiences ahead of me. But despite being so young, I already have had a heart-stopping experience, which I am sure will haunt and guide me until my last days. It all started with a summer boating trip I took with my family to Lucky Peak Lake Reservoir. Though we did not hit an iceberg like the ship Titanic, it was truly a chilling experience. The day actually started out very pleasant, my family drove to Lucky Peak to spend the day out on the water with my cousins and grandparents.
I as a West Virginia citizen, have adopted these family values and could never leave the people and state I love the most. The number two reason I love West Virginia is the fun recreational activities it has to offer. In the spring I can go watch a baseball game, or take a relaxing walk through the beautifully flowered gardens. In the summer I may enjoy a soothing swim, or white water raft down the New River. Also in the fall I can walk through Grandview State Park and see the various colors of the leaves.
I looked back on my trip and thought about how amazing it was that we had driven all those miles and all those places. I knew that it had changed my life and that I would remember it forever. I was so enthusiastic about it and it exceeded my expectations. Glacier National Park was amazing and beautiful and Banff brought so many memories back to my mother and was also one of the most breathtaking places I have ever been to. My grandma’s house in California is like a second home for me and provided a great end.