Friday, March 13, 2009

Costa Rica: If you find yourself Whitewater Rafting (part 2)

You thought I was kidding when I said there would be many blogworthy Costa Rican posts up ahead?

Oh, dear.

I wasn't. Not even the slightest bit.

Nor was our rafting guide, Kevin, when he said, "Guys you have to listen to my commands. This river is a dangerous place if you don't." Sure, we understood. But, it seemed that each member of our rafting group felt as if they could man the wild rapids, with no problems at all.

That's what we thought in the beginning!

And, things started out that way. "Left side forward! Right side back!" We caught on quick to Kevin's commands. Then things started to get a bit intense.

And at times, our situation seemed a bit out of control.

I could sense fear within the crew members seated next to me. And the farther we moved down the Pacuare River, the more extreme our Whitewater Rafting adventure became.

This rafting adventure was the one and only thing that we came to Costa Rica having planned. Mr. Marvelous first rafted a river in Montana, then the Nile River--while studying abroad in Africa--and is now determined he's a rapid thrill seeker. So, he signed us up for this National Geographic favorite. I'm glad he did. But there was one moment during our ride that I wasn't. It was right after we entered this section of the river:
That's when we got caught in a swirling rapid, our raft thought about flipping but changed it's mind, Mr. Marvelous went under, and we couldn't find him. Thoughts like, "What the heck are we doing rafting a river with 4 children at home?" And, "Oh my gosh! Help!" And, "Forget all these commands to get us out of this mixer! Where's my husband?"

But after a few minutes, we manuevered ourselves out, moved down river, and found him:
Thank goodness.



It's a good thing everyone in this raft came up too.

15 comments:

gina said...

Oh. My. Goodness.

Well it was a life experience for sure.

But who was taking all of those pictures?

Aimee' said...

O-M-G...I wanted to have a heart attack JUST looking at the photos. I'm a wimp...I would never sign myself up for rafting...the only water activity I do is FLOATING the Guadalupe River here in Texas. http://www.riversportstubes.com/ See...nice and relaxing with a few little bity rapids compared to what you did! You go girl!!! And who took all the awesome pictures?

~*Michelle*~ said...

WOAH. Now THAT looks like a wild ride....
awesome pictures!

Stacey said...

NO WAY!!! OH MY WORD.
Now who had time to shot the photos?? WOW, what an experience!! I feel like I am a go-getter but I don't think I could do that!

The Jessie James Gang said...

That looks awesome! I would love that - but I definitely think twice, and then a few more times, before I do anything even remotely dangerous ever since my firstborn turned the world upside down.

Elyse said...

I would have so been a big wimp with those waters :)
~Elyse~

Esther said...

You.are.crazy. I'd be basking on the beach with a fruity drink. It does look like an adventure, though!

Anonymous said...

Pretty much LOVE you face on the second rafting pict. down. I am so jealous. I love this sport. Only done it once, but love it. I would totally have been freakin ' out too.

Jennifer said...

That looks like so much fun! Wish I could go.

Tara said...

Also wondering here, who is your photographer???

Erin said...

OMG - there is no way in beep you would catch me doing that!!! Way to go!!!

BTW - got my clipboard!!! It is A-W-E-S-O-M-E!!! I can't wait to use it!!!

Kristin said...

Oh...my...word.

I second (or eighth) everyone else's remarks...no WAY would you get me in one of those things. (Especially now that I have seen your photos!) Were they taken by a hired photographer? I soooo felt for you in reading your comments after your husband fell over. But congrats on managing to get through it with Mr. M intact!

Anonymous said...

Please don't ever do that again now that you have!! That is coming from a mom. A motor boat would do.

mrs boo radley said...

Oof. So brave. I'd be cowering in fear on the river bank.

4under3 said...

Hey all...

To answer your question, we had a photographer raft down with us, in his own little one person kayak. It was crazy.

I only saw his camera out once. I don't know how he snapped so many pictures.

He is a pro, that's for sure.