Cheat River Rafting Trip 08

I've rafted the Cheat River with a group of friends on and off for the past 12 years. This year was a very special trip for two reasons. It would be the first year for Jo to go on the trip and also a fitting memorial for Bob, my good friend who passed away this winter (Remembering Bob). Bob, Lee and the other Bob have made the rafting trip happen every year for 14 years. This year with Bob absent everyone stepped in to fill his shoes and the trip went off without a hitch. This was Jo's first trip and she did great on the water. It was very special to make something that has always been my trip, our trip. Like most things in life it's the people that make it special. We could have floated around a kiddie pool in arm floats and it still would have been an a amazing time!

The Cheat River Canyon is a 13 mile stretch of white water in Northern West Virginia featuring over 30 class IV and V rapids. Our trip took place in early May so the river was flowing 7 feet above normal, right at the limit for commercial trips. The water was huge! It was so huge we were able to "sneak" around the most violent sections of the worst class V's with names like Big Nasty and Tear Drop. Although, we did go straight down the center of High Falls and up a 10 foot wave on the other side. The wall of water filled with white veins reminded me of cover of the book A Perfect Storm. I'll confes sitting in the front of the raft when I saw it I let out an involuntary scream of terror. The trip was great and although a couple rafts were dumped and people had to swim everyone in our group made it out okay. Sadly on a later trip a woman from New York drowned due to unknown circumstances (see press release Here). Her name was Vicki and our collective thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends.

I'll let the pictures expand on more of the trip.

A and J (or PB& Blueberry J)

Chris, Alex, John

Lee, Robert, Bob, Aleah

Above plus Jen, Sylvia, Rick, and Amy

My Elf Look

Our Boat On the River

Port Side (front to back) Alex, Jo, Amy, Matt (our "Hot Guide" according to Jo!),

Starboard side John, Robert, Chris, Sylvia.

Skirting Big Nasty

While we were on the River Matt, Rick Aleah, Bob, Jen and Lee honored Bob B. by throwing his chip for this year into the River. It was a fitting tribute to his life.

Our boat after rescuing a couple swimmers from other rafts.

Chris Holding the Boat

Jo riding the "Bronco"

I love this next photo. Robert took it of Jo and I while were on a flat section of the river. The scene is typical of us. I'm probably talking too much or telling a crazy story while Jo is looking at me skeptically through her glasses as we float gently down the river with another raft in the background. It's pure journalism!

Post Trip Group Photo

Chris Cooking Dinner

Spending a day wet, cold and scared drives a hunger few meals can quench. Luckily everyone pitched in for a huge meal!

Spring Appalachian Rain