[Paddlewise] paddle Festival

Hi All

Thoughts for the first time on the paddle fest. I know that it has been
almost two weeks since Alder Creek put this on. This is maybe the 2nd
or 3rd time that I have written. You have to forgive me I have been
working 9 to 10 hr. a day at work I just thought I would take the time
to post.

I have been paddling for almost a year. I went to the paddle fest last
year, I did not paddle 1 boat. I have had some bad experiences on the
river that could be another whole story. I went to Alder Creek a month
and a half before and volunteered my wife and myself. Silly me I did not
think that she did not have a lot of time in her boat and she had the
same bad time that I did. We got her boat in January not a lot of sun or
even OK type days  here. The closer the days got we both were getting
nervous. Her because lack of time in her boat  and me because I have not
work around people.

The day of the fest  came we got up early packed the boat and all
equipment. Arriving  maybe 1 hr early seeing that everyone else must
have been there all night. Most everything was set up. We met up with
Cindy and she told us who to talk to. We talked to the safety  director
he asked how our rescue skills. We told him he said that it was OK
because they only have 2 or 3 roll over. The first day they pull 12
boater out good skill builder.

I memories that I will keep forever was the 2nd day. The sun was shining
and the crowd seemed bigger. I watched  boater go in circles  with some
of the biggest grins on their faces. That was not the most important
thing that happen. I watched a woman and her daughter get in and out of
maybe 8 different boats from kayaks to canoes. I’m guessing her daughter
was around 15. One time as they paddled towards I noticed that the girls
was not paddling  very hard. The girls did not seem tired, she had a
very big smile on her face. It was not until they got very close that I
noticed that her daughter was blind. I think what struck me was the
trust the girl had in her mother. The girl was very comforted by her
mother, they both were enjoying themselves.

I have many more I thoughts, but I thought I would share this one. I met
a lot of great people that I hope to see in the future. My wife I was
very proud of her. ;-) I want to thank Steve and Cindy for letting us
help and their staff for putting up with me.



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