Personal Narrative: White Water Rafting I remember a time in my life not too long ago when my family and I went white water rafting for the first time. We had been spending some of our summer vacation at a cabin in the Smokey Mountains, close to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The next day we would experience feelings of exhilarating excitement, with a sense of suspense and anticipation as we rafted down the Nantahala River. I recall in vivid detail the scenery around us as we embarked on our perilous journey down the Nantahala. 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. As we started to slowly drift down the river, seemingly inch by inch, I began to have feelings of disappointment. I had been planning on a more hazardous and fast-paced ride. The water was crystal clear and almost as flat as a sheet of glass. There was only a very mild current and being as impatient as I was, it appeared to me that we weren’t even moving. Eventually, the current became a little stronger and the ride a little swifter. My feelings of disappointment slowly vanished and feelings of excitement and exhilaration took their place. As the terrain surrounding us became more rocky and rough, so did the river. It was no longer calm and clear like a mountain lake, but more whi... ... middle of paper ... ...e became more and more overcome with suspense and anticipation. Before we plunged to the bottom, we noticed a kayak broken in two pieces. It had been caused by a collision with a boulder, at the bottom of the fall. We were scared to death, because we thought we would hit it and flip over. However, with the help of our fast-thinking and skillful guide, we were able to make it down the fall safely. All the action was over, so we let out a sigh of relief and allowed our nerves to relax. As if to conclude our white water rafting adventure, members of my family began recalling which parts of trip they liked the most and which parts they disliked. My family and I decided that we enjoyed the trip and would like to do it again if we got the chance. We all had a lot of fun and got a chance to be together. I learned how fun, dangerous, and scary rafting can be.
Surprisingly, our parents had beaten us to the top and we all stopped in awe, mesmerized by the great waterfall in front of us. My mouth felt like the Sahara desert. I vividly remember reaching for the chilling water bottle that hid underneath the tons of clothes stuffed in my father’s black backpack to quench my thirst. I took off my beaten down shoes and stinky socks covered in dirt from the trail and blood from the blisters on my feet and dove into the refreshing lake. After swimming through the lake for a few seconds, I abruptly jumped out of the freezing water. My toes turned into a blue that reminded me of the blueberry muffins from breakfast that morning. My body shivered as I exited the lake and threw on a warm towel over my shoulders. Gradually my body heat increased, escaping the risk of hypothermia. At that point, I just wanted to go home. My family and I gathered all our belongings and I dragged my energyless body into the large, gray shuttle. The shuttle smelled of sweat from previous passengers. It drove us down a rough, bumpy trail, causing my tall father to constantly slam his head on the roof of the car. After we finally got back to our hotel, we all let off a sigh of
I love camping and spending time outside, but this summer I had a completely new experience when I visited the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Before leaving, I had very little knowledge of the Boundary Waters. After getting advice from friends and purchasing some special equipment, I realized that camping there was going to be much more complicated than I had thought.
It was a bright sunny day and the lake looked like glass, perfect to go water skiing. My dad, brother, and I decided to go get the boat ready for our trip. We had to get the sunscreen, refreshments, and water skis. Once we all got in the boat, we had to untie the ropes that were tied to the boat and the dock and lead the boat out of the dock without it colliding into the dock..
As he drew closer to the harbour the sounds and smells of his childhood came flooding back to him. The jetty had changed dramatically over the many years since he had seen it last. The boards were weathered and lifting in places. He could tell by looking at it that it would be painful ride across. He inched across the jetty on the scooter, every gap sending a painful jolt through his old bones. At the end of the jetty he stopped, taking a moment to rest. His muscles were still tense from bracing the bumps. Now he was here it felt all too real. However, he was sure that today was
When I was in the seventh grade, our class went on a field trip to Cherokee, North Carolina. The trip lasted four days and three nights, but the adventure would last a lifetime. The experience allowed me to learn many things about myself and to reflect on the beauty that was all around me. We departed at six-thirty in the morning, and I was so excited. I had never been away on a school trip for longer than a few hours. I tossed my purple duffel bag into the storage compartment, found my seat by the window, and prepared for what I knew would surely be an unforgettable adventure.
“Come on, “ my counselor Emily screamed from shore. The quick rapids made it very difficult to dig our paddles into the river. My cabin was stopping to eat lunch on our Tuesday canoeing trip. On Saturday, we had traveled down to Brownstown, Indiana for a week full of friends, fun, and God. My church stayed at a retreat center called Pyoca. Every year on Tuesday, we would go on a canoeing or rafting trip depending on the water levels. Emily, Annabelle, my canoeing partner, and I sat along the sand bank waiting for other canoes to come in. Many other groups slowly went by, while we patiently waited for other groups to come in. I was so hungry, I couldn’t wait. Canoeing had zapped all of my energy, and had made me really hungry. I began to quickly wade out into the river, so I could help the other canoes come in faster. Someone screamed, “Be careful” from the bank. Nate Epple, a counselor of
It was a warm and windy day in Colorado to go river rafting in duckies. There I was standing nervously at the launching area to go into a river in a small, flimsy, and an inflatable kayak into a windy rough river with massive boulder right in front of me. Before we launched our instructor gave told us how to navigate and what to do if we fell out and lost our boat.
It was the brink of dawn on a cold November day in the Georgia Mountains. The sky was covered with a blanket of clouds, not allowing the sun to warm the frigid water in the river. Although the scout leaders were not too happy about the freezing cold water, my friends and I were not going to let a bit of cold stop us from white water rafting. The Cub Scout pack was split into three different rafts: groups “A”, “B”, and my group – “C”. Hardly any of
My sweat soaked shirt was clinging to my throbbing sunburn, and the salty droplets scalded my tender skin. “I need this water,” I reminded myself when my head started to fill with terrifying thoughts of me passing out on this ledge. I had never been so relieved to see this glistening, blissful water. As inviting as the water looked, the heat wasn't the only thing making my head spin anymore. Not only was the drop a horrifying thought, but I could see the rocks through the surface of the water and couldn't push aside the repeating notion of my body bouncing off them when I hit the bottom. I needed to make the decision to jump, and fast. Standing at the top of the cliff, it was as if I could reach out and poke the searing sun. Sweat dripped from my forehead, down my nose, and on its way to my dry, cracked lips which I licked to find a salty droplet. My shirt, soaked with perspiration, was now on the ground as I debated my
As we get closer to the top I began to sense my nerves resurfacing. I could hear the screams of the kids that were already on the ride and I was excited since I knew it would be a lot of fun. As we wait for it to be our turn I take in my surroundings and notice for the first time just how beautiful the day really was.
Anxiety took over my body as I prepared to jump. The 80 foot waterfall looming atop Turner Falls seemed to be challenging me, beckoning me to come and attempt to plunge from the rock into the waterfall to try to endure the pressure as the water knocked me straight down into the deep waters and jagged rocks which awaited below. I waited with an eager excitement thinking that if I could take this plunge, I would really be able to swim with those I saw as the "big fish." Waiting on that rock I had no idea that the events following my wait would change that jump from being something I so much desired into something I would be grateful to never personally experience.
The sound of the waves grew louder as we got closer. I heard my dad say, “Just over that hill”. I couldn't stand the excitement, we were almost there. I felt the breeze go threw my hair as the sun broke thru the trees at the top of the hill; I squinted until my eyes adjusted. There it was, Lake Michigan.
Going out west last summer was one of the most exciting and interesting things I have ever done in my life. When my mom first told me about the trip I was only really excited about going on the airplane. But when we got there, I was in for a big surprise.
Towards the end of 1989, my family and I were on vacation in Fort Myers, Florida. We drove from Trenton, New Jersey all the way to Florida where my grandfather lived. It was a long trip to undergo, especially being six years old and knowing that my father never stopped the car. By the time we arrived at Fort Myers, it was a beautiful sunny day. The wind was gusting enough to pull my hair back, and I was admiring the palm trees, coconuts, and lizards near the Gulf of Mexico. The first few days were nice, but little did I know that I would soon be caught in the middle of a twister.
After that five day canoe trip, I came to the realization that people do not enjoy life to the fullest. The inconsequential and trivial everyday matters seem to stress even the best of us. Personally, I took the small things during my trip too seriously that ultimately had an adverse effect on my enjoyment and pleasure. I was so confused on the small details that I failed to appreciate the entire picture. I was so troubled that I failed to remember why I was on the canoe trip in the first place. Sometimes, it was much easier to forget all the little troubles that life throws at us and enjoy the moment. For me, it was the moment with the panoramic view that put me at ease. Furthermore, every moment in life should be approached with awe and wonder and it is one’s job to live life to its fullest.