The summer Stephen and I got married, we floated Hells Canyon with my mom's family. Truth be told, it blew. Well, at least in my version of the events it blew. I think other people had fun. My condensed version goes something like this:

On the first night, my cousin and brother secretly drank most of the beer while playing on the beach. On the second day, I was dumped from my dad's boat. There are some rumors that I actually just fell out of the boat because I was more concerned with holding my Shasta rather than the boat. This may or may not be true.

We spent the third day parked on the beach because we floated too far on the first day. It was 115 degrees--in the shade--and there was no beer! When the speedboat finally arrived to save us, I had a panic attack and had to get out of the boat to recover. And then Jack and Dylan made fun of me.

Needless to say, it blew. And I've never gotten back in a boat, which is unfortunate because the rest of my family lives for the river. I am the odd man out. And I am pretty sure they all think I am a big baby. This may or may not be true.

Nine years later, I am finally ready to try again. So on Saturday afternoon we loaded up the boys and headed to Barber Park to float the Boise.













It was a blast. The boys loved it. Wyatt rode the bull and even jumped in the water for a bit. Henry was a little more cautious but he took to helping Dylan oar, as long as he had the yellow paddle.

















Of course, it was an easy float. It took about two hours and there were boats and families everywhere. People actually float it in tubes, making it the perfect re-introduction to floating. Not to say I wasn't nervous, but I did it--with my babies!

And then, as luck would have it, our neighbors invited us to the float the Main Payette with them on Sunday! (I know, we've got some pretty awesome neighbors on our street) It was a great trip, too. I even got in the water and swam around it bit, although I think I now have an ear infection after having water stuck in my right ear canal for hours.







I think Stephen is hopeful I'll stop being such a baby now and go on a week-long trip with him next summer. We'll have to see...At least he can be pretty sure that Henry and Wyatt are in it to win it.

And yes, my hat is lame to the lame, but it's all I have. I will take donations should anyone have a less-lame hat they would like to pass my way. Contact me for our mailing address.