This last weekend I headed out to Cache Creek with a couple of friends for two days of adventure and spectacular scenery. The first day we decided we would raft the infamous wilderness run. I had done this particular stretch before several years ago with a lot of unfortunate mishaps so I was really looking forward to trying it again and having better luck. No dice. Things did go smoother this time around but the narrow river combined with swift water and lots of strainers made the first 2.5 miles sketchy at best. Things got a little better at the confluence with the main fork of Cache Creek but there were still several strainers we had to contend with. On one of the banks we became wrapped around a tree, the water keeping us firmly in place as branches and grape vines entangled us. I decided to turn the tables on one of these vines and entangle it. It was anchored upriver from us, so I chose to grab onto it and pulled mightily to free us. Yes, I used a vine to rescue us.Thus was born the legend of Jungle Dick. Back to the story of our heroes and their daring escapades. One of the crew got a sizable, but not too deep, cut on her arm. I myself fell out in a very shallow part of the river and almost had the boat run over me. We saw a dead opossum floating next to a child's pink flip flop in an eddy. We also spotted several turtles basking in the sun and a great blue heron periodically blessed us with it's presence. Finally, after seven hours, continually dropping water levels, and twenty two miles we reached camp. Dinner that night was spectacular, a smorgasbord in fact. Cheese, crackers, smores, and the highlight, BBQ bacon cheeseburgers! There were lots of stars visible in our pleasant campsite and we were all grateful the day turned out well. The main thing I took away from this experience is that WE WILL NEVER DO THE WILDERNESS RUN AGAIN. Yes, the scenery was great and I am glad I did it, but just like a couple of bad dates with a beautiful person that has a grating personality, you have to make that tough choice and know when things aren't going to work out and move on.

 
      I awoke the next morning to find I had a visitor in my tent, a small tree frog. It waited patiently by the door and even let me pick it up to put it back outside. We broke camp fairly quickly and got ready for another day of rafting, this time doing the shorter run from the Bear Creek confluence down to the Rumsey bridge. It was a much more enjoyable day and we saw lots of other boaters, whereas the day before we had seen none. And, oh yes, IT WAS THE SUMMER SOLSTICE! The longest day of the year! We decided to take our time and enjoy the journey. Soak in everything around us, pun intended. We even found some river loot, one of those water canons you stick in the river and then shoot the water at whatever unsuspecting target may wander into range. It was a fantastic way to celebrate the day.

     

     At the take out we inspected the Bold Venture and realized it had taken a significant amount of damage, most likely inflicted during the previous days battles. So some repairs will be coming very soon. Again. But you know what? It's part of being able to get out there and enjoy this great state of California! Seriously, it's an amazing place. We have mountains, beaches, an ocean, great cities, quirky little towns, huge trees, every type of person you can think of, one of the main hubs of entertainment, some of the best national parks in the country, and a vast amount of possibilities that can lead to anything happening at anytime. It can be crazy and intense, but that's just one more thing I love about my home state. The Beach Boys have a song letting the world know how awesome the women here are. I really do love this state, so it boggles my mind when people talk shit about such an incredible place. So here's one of today's lessons: if you are not happy where you are in your life YOU CAN CHANGE IT. Don't like California? Then get out. Go to where you want to go and stop bitching and let the rest of us be happy. In the mean time I'll be enjoying the plethora of experiences California has to offer.

    

     Here's one of those experiences now! The Selfie of the week! Taken on the first day of summer while rafting, very close to the take out, it expresses the joy and elation of making it through two more days of wonder and excitement in this mysterious thing called life.

Selfie #25

     Until next time dear readers, think about what you don't like about your life and why you haven't changed it and then realize