Whitewater Wednesday

This week I was going to start Wellness Wednesdays (sometimes resorting to Fitness Fridays when I am off track), but apparently I am already off track. I just couldn’t wait any longer to share Whitewater Wednesday with you – or by the end you might call it Wacky Wednesday. (In tribute to Mercer, the loon capital, I would even say loony, but no days of the week begin with "L".)

This past Saturday, the hubby, Dino the wonder dog and I took a ride to Black River Harbor in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. I have been there many times and continue to be awed by the beauty of the river and its many waterfalls. I’ve been there in different seasons, when the water was at different levels and even when it was frozen. (I will have to scan those pictures someday and share them too.)

I have never seen anyone kayaking the river before.  They look pretty peaceful going in just below Gorge Falls. We didn’t think we would see them again.

We drove down the road a few miles and found them checking out Sandstone Falls, plotting their attack.

I have videos of one who went down like he was cruising the lazy river and another of the guy mostly upside down, but he was able to right himself. I have no idea how they keep from drowning. The first time my kayak tipped my head into the river, I would suck in a lung-full of ice cold water and that would be it for me.  (Hope the video works. I am not too techy. I also got a little excited at the end and forgot to turn off the video, and I don’t know how to edit it.)

This is where the Wellness Wednesday part comes in. As crazy as these guys are, imagine how fit they must be to get out of a jam like that.

Hubby talked to two of the guys for quite a while. They only kayak this river once a year, when the water is at its highest. Otherwise they hit bottom. Three of them were planning on taking the next falls. When Hubby told me that, I freaked out. I had been to Rainbow Falls several times. It is tall and steep and scary any time of year.

We didn’t think there was any way we would catch up with them at Rainbow Falls, but we jumped in our car, headed that way, and hiked the ¾ mile trail to get there. And just in time.

See the guys little head? Some might call it an adrenalin rush. That is beyond wacky, that is insane!

He made it out (the other two changed their minds – smart men), and they continued on their way out to Lake Superior.

A beautiful day, and one where I was totally happy to stay on dry land.