Rafting with Kern River Tours

Last month (June 24), I went rafting with great friends. It was the second annual "Chick Trip." I missed the first one, because I was at Girl's Camp. I am SO GLAD I was able to go this year. I can't wait to go again. It was so much fun! We went with Kern River Tours. Our guides, Dave (my raft) and Trevor were great. They know that river so well- I was amazed. I realize it's their job and all, but seriously, when Dave goes, "On this next one, we are going to go in a little to the right. We'll hit the hole in the middle and it'll push us over to the left. From there we will stay to the left, and then come out in the middle, avoiding the hole on the right..." or something like that. For every rapid. I was impressed. We did "The Gusto" run, which has nine class IV rapids. I think nine. It's a lot. There is one class V rapid called "The Royal Flush" that we had to get out, haul the raft on dry land, and get in slightly below the rapid. You can YouTube "Royal Flush Kern River" and watch crazies attempt it. Dave said that this year the water is just way too high for even the guides to attempt it. It was amazing.

On with the pictures! (Thank-you KRT and Marcie!)

 The group: Crazy guy in back: Trevor. His goal this trip was to get Marcie in the water. Something about her not following directions last year. Kari, Kendra, Me, Dave. Middle: Krissy, Teasha, Dany, Tami, Tisha, Cori. Front: Michelle, Lindsey, Marcie.

 On this rapid, our guide told us to so something silly for the camera. There you go. Backwards paddles. (In my raft: Dany and Lindsey in the front, Michelle and I in the middle, and Tisha and Cori in the back.)

The river was really high this year. The water was cold, the sun was warm... FUN!

Why is my paddle so high up?

I like to think it helped me keep my balance.But since I didn't know what I was doing, I can't say that it did anything for sure.

Please note that Dany and Lindsey are practically under water. After the lunch break we rotated spots, and Cori and I took the front. THAT was fun. Seriously.

We stopped for lunch. The sandwiches were SO GOOD. A few reasons: I was genuinely hungry. There were lots of options, from PBJ to a fancy meat and cheese with fresh avocados... and cookies. And most importantly, I didn't have to prepare OR clean up. The guides did it.

I said I wasn't going to do it. No "Jump Rock" for me, thank you very much. I have height issues. Big time. But then we got there, and I thought, "That's not THAT high." (It is.) And, I said aloud, "You keep your life vest on?" and thought, "ppshhh... that's almost cheating. I can do it. It'll be good for me. Maybe it'll break me from my heights problem. Plus, it doesn't look THAT high." So off I went with the adrenaline junkies. I walked to the edge, got all weak legged, and walked away. But then I did some self talking about it'd be faster NOT to hike back down, there is a long line of people who want to jump, it's not like I'm going to die, it's only water, blah blah blah, just do it already and face your fears... so I jumped. Kind of.

Proof that I jumped off the "Jump Rock." Don't question my early plugging of the nose or why my free hand appears to be trying to keep my head on. All I know is that I had way too long to think about being in the air. I may or may not do it again.

The whole day was so great. Hanging out with good girls. A bit of a mommy break. I went home and started looking up more trips, and it renewed my interest in kayaking. I love the water and rowing. I can't wait to go again! Thanks Kern River Tours!