Today we're paddling class V rapids! We drive about 20 minutes north to meet up with our rafting company, KODI. They quickly suit us up in wetsuits, booties and splash tops. It's early in the season and the newly melted mountain caps keep the water temp at a brisk 35 degrees. Now, coming from Lake Michigan territory, that ain't got nothin' on us!
We met our guide, Eitan, who happens to be from the upper East side of Milwaukee as well. What do ya know!? And, as it happens, the only couple joining us, Terry and Judy, are both Wisconsin natives too! Meant-to-be? I think so.
We head towards the Arkansas river and unload the rafts with several other guides that were paddling down the river with of us, a couple of them training for their rafting guide certification. We're taking the "Numbers" section of the river, 7 miles of class III, IV and one class V rapid. The water level is running about 1500 cubic feet and the first 90 min were great, but not terribly intense. Mostly I loved getting to know our crew. Terry is simply a wealth of knowledge and experience and Judy is down for anything at the age of 64.Together they've rafted all over the West, and not to mention the many adventures all over the world they've enjoyed together and apart. Their active spirits inspire me to look forward at what's to come.
We get several miles downstream for lunch where the storytelling continues. Pesto pasta was delish and I'm so full at this point I can feel a food baby at nearly 4 mo. But guess what, we're about to go run it all over again.
By 2 or 3 that afternoon another 30 cubic feet had entered the Arkansas and it became a completely different beast, battling faster and colder water now because as the outside temp rose and so did the water level. Eric and I both took a little "dip" before launch to get our juices flowing again. It was work going through those rapids the second run around. My very sore body today can attest.
We gotta give it up to our guide, Eitan. He led us round some pretty tight turns - on a dime. This is his 6th summer on the Arkansas. Eric couldn't get enough either; he's set on following similar footsteps to put on some whitewater mileage over the next couple years. Who knows, he could be your future guide, should you venture out here one day.
After laughing at the day's photos and exchanging emails, we said goodbye to our new friends. They set us southwards with many tips on where to stay and explore and wished us well on our journey. A special thanks to Eitan, Terry & Judy; you made the day so much more memorable.
Xo Carolyn
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