N.O.C.

What is the NOC you ask? My new favorite playpen. It's called the Nantahala Outdoor Center.
http://www.noc.com/

Who knew that such a place could be right around the corner? I've heard about it before and I even drove up there once with the husband before he was the Husband. And yes I have rafted with a group down a part of the Colorado River and a River in Cali...(Not too sure about the name.) And I have tried to Kayak before. And really that is probably why it has been so long since I have tried, something about going in circles in the water the whole time will do that to you. I mean come on it's a little boat. It's not that big how hard could it really be just to go straight? I used to make a wooden sale boat go straight in the water as a eight year old. I would even win sometimes. I felt like it was simply something I could never do with out seriously hard work and dedication. Which could take the fun out of it.
So somehow my dear husband and his parents talked me into it and I really felt like I could try again, and something about a promise of a bigger boat than a Kayak, also called a Duckie. Laugh as you will, this boat rocked though! And I don't believe I really knew what it was all about. Paddle-Get Wet-Paddle-Float Along-Paddle- Pretty much sums up what I thought it was going to be. And it was but on a much higher point because it's one of those things that you just have to do to really understand.
We get there and my husband runs around trying to find some of his brothers friends that just happened to be up there as well. Small world. :) I love the excitement that is at the end of the river. People just coming off the river all wet and sweaty with HUGE smiles on their faces. You felt ready for it just by watching them pumped by what they just accomplished.
I had to watch a video about the safe way to fall in the water, what could happen if you don't do what they show in the tape, & what if you fall out of the boat. It's like being back in Drivers Ed. Very gripping stuff there. :~)
After that we all packed into the blue school buses, and yes I do think that all the COOL older folks grabbed the back seats. Just like High School days of old. We finally get to the top of the river (it's weird but there is a huge difference in the start of a river...also called a creek.) and unloaded the boats got our vests off and into the cold water we went. This is so not a big deal I thought and then I went down the river. Okay well the water really is the coldest thing ever. Shockingly cold as in will take your breath away. And you really ride the water. I know it's called Kayaking for a reason, but it's like running on water. So the part of the river we did is about 8 miles long and took us 2 1/2 hours I am guessing? We stopped at this River Bar-B-Que Shack and grabbed a snack got warm and got going again. There was also a sweet Pizza Place as well, I'm telling you this is in the middle of no-where land. I love the life of the river guides, after my first trip down in a big boat I thought I could do this forever. Then I went down this time in a Duckie and I am dieing to get better so I can move up to the real deal kayaking. My arms are aching and my back is a little sore but it's well worth it. Something about it clicked with me, I got it. I love being in the wilderness as it is and now I have found another way to enjoy the water.
I wish I could better describe the way the water felt or the power I felt in my arms when I would cut through the water. Or just being around people doing something amazing and there is this unspoken bond, like a brotherhood while you are on the river. There are no labels or people to please, no cell phones, faxes, deadlines, just the river. The thing that really brought this to mind was when at the end of the river there is a class 3 rapids. Not TOO big but big for a first timer. I went down the wrong way and thought I was going to go over into the water, but somehow I pulled through and made it, only to look back and see my Father-in-law had flipped his boat. People rushed around one helping him the others paddled to get his boat, then off they went. After a round cheers and good luck next time up there. I love when people can be like that with each other.

My wish list of "TOYS" just got longer,
ADD: 1 Kayak
ADD: 1 Life Vest
ADD: all the trimmings for the kayak

This is going to be an amazing summer!