Be brave. Float the Truckee.

I've never floated the Truckee River or any river on a tube before.  I was determined to conquer my fears and do it this year.  The river was very low and we were warned that people were bailing out part way through and walking the path to their cars.  We decided to plunge in and forge ahead.  Everything was going well until I got stuck on some rocks in the middle of some death defying rapids (as death defying as you can get in ankle deep water).  I had to do a kind of half roll, half bail out of my tube maneuver and figure out how to hoist myself up using a floaty for stability in the middle of rushing (yes, only ankle deep) water. I tell you that is not easy to do! Once I was in an upright position I had to pick my way over slippery rocks with wobbly legs to the edge of the river. After clinging to the side and waiting for my legs to quit shaking I picked my way down the river until the water was deep enough to get back into the tube.  The kids seemed oblivious to my struggles and were laughing and having a good time.  Most of the time I was hanging on to Rob's and Laura's boat for dear life.  Poor Rob, can you imagine trying to navigate a rubber raft with a huge dory attached using one little paddle?  After a couple of these harrowing experiences I decided to bail out and walk the path.  I know it sounds like I gave up, but I didn't, not really. As I was walking that mile or two back to our cars I was smiling from ear to ear.  I had done it!  I floated the Truckee River just like everyone else.  I jumped in despite my fears and participated in life instead of watching from the sidelines.  The river was a little to low to float that day and everyone else bailed out shortly after I did.
Rob broke his oar and the boat was punctured, I left my keys back at camp and we lost a couple of our teen boys for a while but all I could think was ...I did it!

PS  Rob, you are a good friend  to weather that Jonah-trip down the Truckee without complaining or losing your temper. Thank you!   Laura, thanks for leading the way in the "live your life" department.  You do it so effortlessly.  While I don't have any actual pictures of us on the river here are some as we got ready to go for it....