Submerged

Nearly Drowning, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

So, this weekend I floated down the Upper Gauley River. This river is rated as the most intense whitewater on the East Coast, and the second most exhilarating in the United States.

A group of four of us went down the river, and we didn't lose a single person from our raft.

But in this picture, I am the guy toward the back of the raft that has water pouring over. You will notice that the entire back side of the raft was submerged. I am just to the left of the guy in yellow.

While we didn't lose a single person, we definitely got wet. There were some intense moments, and we saw other people/groups take spills.

Although it seemed like a relatively safe and uneventful trip, I am still somewhat tired from the whole thing. I never thought a boat ride would take so much energy out of me. I just feel kind of beat up, like I ran a long race, but it really didn't feel like I expended that much energy.

But, maybe that's what happens when you get submerged a few times--even if you don't get flung out of your raft.

Humble Beginnings

Humble Beginnings, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

Two weeks ago, I went for a drive through the southern part of West Virginia with my mom, dad, brother, and sister. Among our stops, my parents wanted us to see some cool scenic spots that they love to visit. One of these stops was the source of the Gauley River just below the Summersville Dam. It was interesting because that particular weekend was "Gauley Fest" and people had come from all over the country to celebrate this intense whitewater river. The Gauley River is a National Recreation area. You can read more about that here.

Well, as I looked at this river, I started thinking about a rafting trip that was in the works for a future weekend. I looked at this river right where it all started. It was like I was being given an opportunity to survey the situation before the journey down the river began. I read some of the materials available at the restroom/changing area here at the park. I've never seen a river with such intense warnings and tips for would be river riders. And yet, in this picture, well, the Gauley, she looks benign and friendly.

I love this picture. The calmness before the rapids begins. The mist rising up over the hills. The gradual disappearance of the watery path as it winds through the gorge. It is both nerve-wracking and exciting to plunge into the unknown isn't it?

I don't know what this river trip has in store for our raft's crew, but I think it is going to be a pretty amazing time. This is world class whitewater. And yet, this picture looks so calm and soothing.

This will probably be my last blog for the weekend--no sense in taking a computer down world-class whitewater. Some might think to themselves, "No sense in taking ,yourself down world-class whitewater either." But where's the fun in staying on the shore? Sometimes you've gotta get in the water, right?

What challenges are taking place around you where maybe God is calling you to take a dip in the water and explore the unknown? Will you stay on the shore, or will you enter the adventure with Him? Who knows what will come up around the bend in the river? What we do know is that no matter what God is with us in every rapid, every falls, and every inch of the way!