FD2 Whitewater kayaking Montana days 1, 2 & 3

Well it is that time again, time for me to spread that fantastic First Descents LOVE! I just came home from another fantastic whitewater trip which has left me feeling that FD magic all over again! But it is really hard to cram all that happened into one blog post especially because who wants to read something that long. So I have decided to break it up into a few posts. So here goes I hope you're ready for the retelling of some awesome adventure time!

This is where I am going to start my story Spokane International Airport! I flew out of Logan International Airport at 6am on Sunday June 30th, which as you have guessed that means I was up at about 3am. After a stop in Minneapolis I arrived in Washington at 10:32am, where I would be waiting until 12pm for everyone elses flights to arrive. I met one other camper while waiting, Dak who happened to be on the same flight as me. So we hung out til everyone else got there. Once it hit 12 everyone started coming in and we found one and other. There was Road Rash, Flip Flop, Bro Puppy, Pasta, CoPilot, Tiger and of course me. Braveheart who was our volunteer and incharge of all our lovely beings was also there. She informed us that two other campers were stuck because their flight had been cancelled. They were able to get a flight but it wouldn't be arriving until 6pm. That is what started the Washington adventure. Oh yea and incase you are completely confused about all the names I will let you know that everyone that is involved with or goes to a first descents camp gets a nickname. Mine is Aly Cat!

Our first stop was to...

which was not only a market but also had a deli section. So we all gathered for some lunch. After about an hour we set off on our next adventure. We were heading to the movies!! It took us a little while to find a place to park for two reasons. 1.) we were traveling in a 12 person van and 2.) the Spokane Hoopfest was going on.

But we did finally find a place to park that wasn't too far away and got to AMC theatre. We got to see...

This movie was so funny! It kept us thoroughly entertained and most importantly awake! It was just the right amount of time. When it was done it was time to return to the airport where our last two campers were ready and waiting for us. Now that Buo and DotCom had joined our caravan it was time to head to Kalispell!!

It was LONG ride about 5 1/2 hours. We stopped twice but quickly got back on the road. It wasn't until about 11:30pm that I was finally able to sleep in the van which was mainly because that is about when it started to get dark. We hit the dirt road part Glacier National Park about 12:30am and everyone in the van was awake. We got to the cabins around 1am where we all quickly got our bags and headed to our respective beds. I did meet some people that night but I couldn't tell you who!

After some much needed sleep I woke up to one of our lovely camp moms Mama Mia telling us it was time to get up because breakfast was ready and we needed to get fitted with all our gear this morning. I rolled out of bed and proceeded to spend the next couple of hours meeting the new people (Bandcamp, Journey, Bruce, Mama Mia, Ruby, Bomb, The Dude, Raz, Patch and Pedro), having breakfast, of course really getting a chance to check out where we were staying and getting all our gear fitted.

Then came the part I had been waiting for since last year, it was time to hit the water!!!

After some beginner time of learning how to wet exit and just getting comfortable in our kayaks it was lunch time. Then we got to hit the river! I will admit that I did in fact flip once that day however it was because I hit the Eddy line wrong and just went over. I just kept my hand up and waved at Pedro (One of the camp directors) to come get me. I successfully did a T rescue with a little help from Patch (our other camp director) because he helped tilt my kayak back down. Then a little later down the river Pedro was there again just as I was about to flip he grabbed my kayak and kept me up. But then his kayak went under mine and I saved him so it was a win win!

When we got back to the cabins we got to have our first dinner together!

The camp moms and camp dad really took good care of us and made a fantastic meal. Then we had our very first campfire.

Besides kayaking campfire is my next favorite thing about going to an FD camp! It just gives you a chance to unwind, share your thoughts about the day or in our case whatever Pedro decides we should talk about. Then we also get a run down of how the next day will go and what time we have to get up. Just so great to sit around the campfire. Then we all headed to bed!

Day 3: We launched right from the creek where we were staying. It was very overwhelming to look at and so some of us needed a little extra reassurance before we headed down the creek. At about 11:30am we got started, Bandcamp and I went first. Our friend Journey flipped on her way down the river and got stuck in some strainer trees. Pedro was able to save her and get her out of all that. But the best part is that she immediately said she wanted to go back to beginning and start down the creek in her kayak all over again!! Woohoo Journey you are amazing!

We were split up into pods with each pod having a guide assigned to them. We were with Korps! As we made our way down the river everything just seemed to be going wrong. There was too much congession on the river, we were all staying together instead of stay separated into our pods. We had one particular rapid that had massive carnage because all of went through together, more than 6 people flipped over and wet exited and all needed help getting to shore and emptying their boats. It took us seven hours to get down the river because of all of us flipping and spending more time in eddy's recovering then on the river. When we finally got back to the cabins we got to celebrate a fellow campers birthday, Journey! We had a great time dancing around, watching journey smash the pinata and of course playing with all the stuff we got.

Left to right: Patch, Journey and Pedro

Then when we had dinner it was late. We forfeited campfire because it was so late and we were all tired. However I certainly learned why campfire is such a part of the nightly routine. Everyone in my room was certainly wired, we were up until 12:30am talking. Mama Mia actually came in and told us to go to sleep, haha. But we finally did!

To Be Continued...

HAWMC Day 21 - Adversity

Today's task for Day 21 of WEGO Health Activist Writer's Challenge was to decided if the saying "The flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all." is true or false and when do I bloom best.

I think that the flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all is absolutely true! Unfortunately it seems that when you are faced with misfortune or distress that is when the best usually comes out in people.

If you think about everything that just happened this past week in Boston that is a prime example of what happens in adversity. All the people that ran in to help those hurt, all the law enforcement agents putting their lives on the line to keep so many people safe. The way everyone is supporting Boston and all those hurt or that lost their lives. My point is that the events were beyond horrific but it brought out the best, most caring side of humanity. It is just sad that it usually takes adversity to get to that point.

For me personally my cancer was my adversity. It changed my life forever. It made me realize there are so many things in life that just aren't worth worrying about or being involved in. Life is way to short to sweat the small stuff! I am a much happier and helpful person now and I love it.

As far as when do I blossom I would have to say when I can use my experience with my cancer adversity to help others that are facing a similar situation. It brings me so much joy knowing I can help others hopefully get through their journey and end up with a similar outlook when theirs is all over too.

I try to remember what I felt when facing lymphoma so that I am that helpful, happy, compassionate person that I so badly want to make sure I am.

HAWMC Day 15: Sharing

Today's Day 15 task from WEGO Health's Health Activist Writer's Challenge is to Comment! Pick someone else’s blog post and write a comment to them. Write that comment as your post for today and link back to them to let them know you were inspired.

At first I wasn't sure what to pick because something I think of might not have been health activits but then again I also think it is more based on your own interpretation of what that means. I decided I wanted to pick something new to me so I started looking at some of my fellow HAWMC bloggers. I have to tell you I was quite impressed with many of them, but one in particular stuck out. That would be Ann Marie at Stupid Dumb Breast Cancer! I read a lot of her posts so it was hard for me to choose just one. I think the one thing about it is exactly what she says in the her post about why she became a blogger to keep people informed but that she wasn't going to censor herself which I love! It is so nice to see someone blogging that just post whatever they want, however they want! She is fantastically sassy and feisty!! You rock Ann Marie!

Be sure to check out her post Wow I am a "blogger" she in great!

HAWMC Day 6: Dear Lymphoma!

Dear Lymphoma,

Where do I even begin? For longer than I would have ever wanted you derailed my entire life. To some extent you still do but in a different way.

When you finally reared your ugly head I was terrified! Although there are sure fire ways to get rid of you nothing is ever 100%! You came in and setup shop right on my spine. Although then again maybe that was just the comfy spot that you found and decided you liked because I actually have no idea where you came from. I can however guess based on all the marks you left all over my body.  But there you sat on my spine being your happy little self and just started to spread. You put my through excruciating pain for months trying to take up even more room.

Then I got the news of just how much you wanted to stay and what it would take to get rid of you. Aside from the pain that was the worst part. I was going to loose not only the hair on my head but all of my hair...eyebrows, eyelashes and nose hair included. I was going to be sick, feel tired, have mouth sores, things were going to taste different if I was even going to be able to eat them, I was going to be tired, I was going to be more vulnerable to other infections/diseases. That wasn't even the worst part I was going to have to put my entire life as I knew it on hold to deal with you with the possibility of this lovely experience affecting my furture of having children.

I was 27 years old! recently married and although I may not have been the best at taking care of myself I certainly never expected to see you!

I did in fact loose all my hair, I was SO tired all the time but that didn't really matter because the treatment took away my ability to be around other people or do anything so I guess being tired made it easier to miss out on a lot of things. The one thing that had always made me feel better; food; didn't even have the comfort it normally did because all the medication to get rid of you changed the way things tasted. But I was lucky enough to have mild side effects of nausea and mouth sores which was a plus and I never did get any other infections or illnesses so that way I was able to keep my treatment right on track.

Oh yea and I forgot to mention my ABSOLUTE least favorite thing about you setting up shop on my spine the intrathecal chemotherapy. So I have this massive lymphoma tumor on my spine and now I have to get medication injected directly into my spine to make sure you don't spread your way into there...UGH!!

BUT despite all that I made it through and you my dear where forced out and completely gone by the time this was all done and you have not returned!

However there is some good that came from your impromptu visit I have started taking better care of myself, I have learned a lot more about myself too. That there are so many things that I can do that I thought I never could, that there are amazing people out there that are kind and nice and want nothing more than to help mankind (I happen to be one of those people as well), but certainly not last that I have to accept what happens, figure out a plan to change it for the better, work hard to accomplish that plan and then constantly move forward in life!

You were and will always be an unwelcome guest in my life. You came to be way too early but you taught a whole lot too. I just hope that we never meet again!

-Alyson

I Live Strong!

Being a cancer survivor and having had past experiences with LIVESTRONG I have been heavily following what has been going on with Lance Armstrong. I watched the first part of his interview with Oprah and will most definitely be watching the second part tonight. I have also spent the better part of this morning exploring many different news articles, blog posts by both cancer survivors and your everyday citizens. I also tuned in to watch Doug Ulman on the Today show (well I watched it online as I missed the original broadcast). 

As far as my own perspective on Lance I must say that I always knew that the likelihood of him having been involved with doping was far greater than him not being involved. When this all came about these past few months I had just been involved with LIVESTRONG at the YMCA and was sporting the famous yellow LIVESTRONG wristband. I can't tell you the number of people that commented on it whether it be positive or negative. I was always more upset by the negative comments but that is because the bracelet means something entirely different to me but I will explain that later.

 I must admit that I do feel some sense of anger, disappointment and just plain betrayal from Lance for denying it for so long and going to the lengths he did to try and hide the truth. I will certainly not say that what he has done to his former teammates, their families as well as many others in the cycling community has any justification because quite frankly I don't believe it does. What he did was just flat out wrong and to carry on the way he has for so many years made it that much worse.

Having said that I also have to ask, with everything that he has done at this exact moment who is it really coming down on? You could argue many things here, the cycling community, LIVESTRONG, his fellow teammates, etc. However in my opinion it is really only coming down on Lance. He is the one that is being striped of all his medals and titles, he has lost the respect of lots of people, he has burned bridges with more people then we as the public probably know about, he has even lost the foundation that; despite what many think; he worked so hard to build. I am sure there will be even more fall out in the form of law suits and such as the weeks/months continue. As he said in his interview, all of this is everything that he deserves, he made his choices and has to live with the outcome of finally admitting what he did. I know it will certainly be a long time until he has earned back my trust, however his personal actions will never cause me to not support LIVESTRONG.

I will always and most likely forever be an advocate and supporter of LIVESTRONG. I have not removed my LIVESTRONG bracelet during any of this and I will not. I wear it for what it means to me and to me it does not represent Lance Armstrong. It represents my own journey that the LIVESTRONG Foundation has helped me immensely with. I can honestly say that without their survivorship programs I would not be living the life that I am today. On the same token those programs would not be in existence without all the people and organizations that support LIVESTRONG. I view LIVESTRONG and Lance Armstrong as two separate entities. I have very high hopes that LIVESTRONG will continue to get the support and do amazing things for the cancer community. I say bravo to all LIVESTRONG staff and program creators for all their hard work. Take it from me what they do is truly life changing.

I know there are many different opinions right now, this is just my own. 

I live strong and will continue to LIVESTRONG.

2nd Annual Chunky Dunk Duathlon

My friend Sara did the Chunky Dunk Duathlon last year and when I started really working out she started trying to get me convinced to do it with her this year. After constant pestering I finally gave in and registered, which coincidentally was also about 1 day after their registration even opened. I was even part of the first 50 to sign up and got a t-shirt! So now that I had actually registered for it I figured I should start training. The running part was fine, well if you take into consideration that what I consider running is not what most people think is running but I am ok with that. That only meant one thing that I needed to start swimming! So Sara so graciously offered to help me since swimming is her strength. We went our first day and when I was finished I thought 'Oh my god what have I agreed to?' I went a few more times with her and then my swim training coincided with the LiveSTRONG at the Y program so it worked out well. I then started swimming on my own and I guess you could say the rest is history!

So fast forward to race day. We got up and were at Allen Albee Beach at 7:30am and got in line to pick up all our race stuff. We got our timing chips, bibs, t-shirts and best of all we got our race numbers written on us in sharpie for the swim portion.

We found a spot on a picnic table to setup our transition area and got everything ready. Finn (Sara's Boxer) had decided to chew her swim cap while they were out yesterday so I offered to give her mine. Well technically it was hers anyway because she let me borrow it months ago when I started training, it was only fair.

They called all participants down to the beach for a group shot before the race.

We headed back over to get ourselves ready because we were in the first wave starting at 8:30am. I really wanted to use my garmin watch for the swim portion of the race and since it is not water proof I had planned on putting it in a plastic bag under my swim cap. Sara had the swim cap so I went to plan B, that's right it went into the bra. Not the way you would think though I was afraid if it was in the front it wouldn't get signal so I figured out a way to put it in back, that was an interesting experiment. but it ended up working. We got our goggles, ear plugs, watches all on and we were ready to go. It was time to head to the water. We each crossed the start and walked into the water.

Everyone was in the water and you will be happy to know that this was probably the only time that I did not pee in the water! The horn sounds and we are off. Getting to the first buoy wasn't too bad I only veered off once and not too far. When I turned left around the buoy and then left around the next buoy I thought "Yes I am home free I just have to make it to the beach now." Ha that was correct it however seemed to take FOREVER. I tried my hardest to swim the crawl for most of it with the occasional breast stroke to rest and check I was still on the right course. On the way back to the beach every time I did the breast stroke it seemed as though I hadn't moved at all. I had no idea how long it was taking me but my goal the whole time was to always be able to see Sara. She is a much better swimmer than me so I knew there was a slim chance I would catch her but as long as I could see her I was happy but it still pushed me. After what seemed like an eternity I finally made it to the beach. The swim part was over!

Swim Time: 24:34 (my best time ever and new PR!)

I ran up the beach trying to take as much off as possible before I got the transition area. I even managed to lap my watch and get it out of my bra before I got to the table. Sara was already getting ready to put her sneakers on so I got to work.

I had decided to wear my shirt from First Descents for the run so that they would be represented and because I am working to raise money for them as I train for my triathlon. I had no idea how difficult it would be to put clothes on while you are wet. my shorts weren't too bad but getting my shirt on was quite the feat. That was fun to witness, I'll admit I got stuck once or twice!

 I got my socks and shoes on grabbed my watch, sunglasses and water and I was off for the run!

Transition time: 3:52 (longer than I wanted but I will have to work on it)

I was pretty confident for the run but I didn't know how tired I was going to be from the swim. I started out with the plan of run 1 minute walk 1 minute I was able to do that for quite a while. I ended up having to adjust it to 30 second intervals. I caught up to Sara for a little bit and then I was off. A little while later I rounded the turn around and was headed back. Thank god I was almost done and I was making great time (for me anyway). I passed Sara shortly after the turn around, we did a high five and cheered each other on at which point she told me "you better go faster or I'm gonna catch you." I thought 'oh shit I better hurry.' I stuck with the 30 second intervals the rest of the way regardless of how I felt. Well until I got to the 3 mile marker and looked behind me and I couldn't see Sara. She tricked me!! Well then again she was trying to motivate me so I say a huge Thank You to her for that! I ran the last 0.1 mile with a little more gusto. I couldn't believe the time I was making I was worried my husband wouldn't be at the finish line to take my photo because honestly I wasn't expecting to be done for at least another 5-10 minutes. But they were all waiting stationed at different parts of the run onto the beach. I crossed the finish line!!

I was so excited to be done and to have finished 10 minutes earlier than my goal!!

Run Time: 42:09 (The fastest I have ever done a 5k and I was tired!)

I then waited for Sara so I could get some pictures of her crossing the finish line and of course get a hug in!

We did it!

I can't thank Sara enough for getting me to do this as well as being so supportive through my whole training and just life in general. It is because of her that I even started doing anything related to exercise in the first place! While we were getting ready for the race there were a number of people who talked to her because of the blog she wrote last year about the first Chunky Dunk it inspired them to do it this year. So she is just inspiring left and right!! I also wanted to thank my husband and my mother for not only supporting me in my daily life but for coming up to New Hampshire for the weekend to be there for me during the race. I was so glad to have them there! And of course thanks to Sara's mom for letting all of us stay at their house on the lake for the weekend to do the duathlon! I had so much fun and I have made so much progress now I know I will survive the swim and run part of the triathlon I just need to focus on the cycling part.

After the race we all wanted to go to breakfast so we got dressed in our race shirts and since it the was the Chunky Dunk Duathlon we took a fun picture!

Totals:
Swim: 24:34
Transition: 3:52
Run: 42:09
Total: 1:10:34

Stay Calm Under Water

I am finally getting the time to write about my amazing time white water kayaking in Bryson City, NC!!

I was very busy the few days before my trip trying to pack and make sure I had everything I need. I have to admit the night before I was a nervous wreck! Not some much about the actual white water kayaking but more that I was getting on a plane, heading to a different state by myself and entrusting all of this to happen on people that I have never met. It freaked me out! However it didn't stop me I still got on that plane Tuesday morning and headed out on my journey. Let me tell you it was the best thing I could have ever done!!

When I arrived at Knoxville Airport I founded Pleezah and Sunday waiting for us wearing their FD t-shirts. They were welcoming and reassuring the minute I met them.

Fast forward 3 hours (The airport is 2 1/2 hours away from camp) we arrived at The Watershed Cabins where we would be staying for the next week. Before we went to our cabin we got to meet everyone else that was already there, Spoonberg, Frieght Train, Mia Rut, Pigskin, SPF, Big Toe and Kevlar! Spoonberg immediately put me at ease, his personality and outgoingness reminded me of a good friend of mine and made me feel like I had brought him along. It was extremely comforting!

After all the introductions we got to go to our cabin.

        

As you can see it was amazing!

That night we all met down at the main cabin for dinner. It was nice to be able to sit around with everyone, eat a delicious meal and get to know the people we would be spending the rest of the week with!

After dinner we had our first camp fire which would prove to be a huge part of the whole experience!

Day 2: Kayak 101

This was a fantastic day. We all went the NOC and met with our instructors for the week Mano, Brown Claw and RPM! They told us all we needed to know about the gear we would need. We got fitted for skirts, helmets, PFD's, spray jackets, water shoes and neopreen vest and long pants. It was great to know what we needed and what it's purpose was. Then came the really fun part getting into the kayaks to see which ones were the perfect fit. There had to of been 20 kayaks laid out and we took our time with getting one. I tired several and although I would be able to get into them I have very long legs considering I am not all that tall so that proved to be a minor problem. There was one kayak that Mano and Brown Claw thought would be perfect but it was on reserve. After some investigation it was discovered that it wasn't reserved and ended up being the perfect fit for me. Not only was it extremely comfortable but I was wearing my tie-dyed shirt and the kayak just happened to be tie-dyed...it was meant to be!

After we were all fitted it was time to head to the lake! It was by far the most fun I had had in a long time. The very first thing they teach you (aside from how to use your gear) is what it's like and what to do when you flip over. The key to "surviving" is to stay clam under the water. That ended up being a piece of advice that held true for so many other aspects of not only our adventure but life in general. I couldn't wait, I drove right in literally! It was awesome to be able to learn and experience all of this knowing you were in safe hands (Thanks Brown Claw)!

Then we learned the basics of paddling, turning and some rescues to help out fellow kayakers. We even got to play some really fun games. Which helped me a lot because you are so focused on playing that you don't realize how much you are honing your kayaking skills.

After all that fun we headed back to camp to relax and then of course have another great meal prepared by Mia Rut! I feel as though I should have mentioned that two campers were MIA because their flights were cancelled so they had finally made it to camp by late afternoon so this was the first dinner and camp fire that our whole family was together.

Day 3: Experience The River

We were all super excited to head out to the river! I was trying to imagine what it would be like to be kayaking on moving water vs. a lake but I couldn't wait to find out! It was more than I expected! It is actually a lot easier kayaking on a river than a lake at least physically because the current does most of the work for you, you just have to put yourself in the right direction. The absolute coolest thing we got to experience was river surfing. I never thought I would be able to surf in a kayak but I did it and I did it well!

That night at the camp fire we talked about how we could relate our journey on the river to our life or our cancer journey. That was a great way to put it because I think about how anxious I was about the unknown in regards to the river. Where were the rapids, what would it be like, was I strong enough to do it. Life as well as cancer is the same, but if you let the fear over take you what kind of life will you really be leading? I see this as the perfect way to grab what ever life gives you by the horns and do the best you can with what you know and try to have some fun while you figure out the unknowns! I also won the water award that night for my river surfing ability so I thought that was really fun too!

Day 4: Introducing The Nantahala!

This is our day "off" which is funny because it still involved all of our gear and being on a river. We got to go white water rafting!! Not only was this loads of fun but it was great to be able to go down the Nantahala in a raft and see what it was like before we were going to be doing it in a kayak. My raft certainly had a great time! It included myself, Gridou, Runt, Sukey, and Big Toe. The group in itself was fun but we also had a guide that was fun too. He made sure we got a ride, spinning us around in the river, going up on rocks! It was awesome and helped with that fear of the unknown because now we got a chance to see the future so to speak. It was really a great day and it was very team building because we had to work together to get to where we needed to be which involved communication as well!

After rafting we had the choice of hiking or going into town to do some shopping. Considering it started to pour as soon as we finished rafting we opted for shopping. Going into Bryson City was lots of fun. It was a cute little town and although there was not much there it was still nice to walk around, shop and of course get some food!

    

This day was fun but we were a little sad because our FD family was not together. Pigskin was not feeling well and stayed at the cabins and SPF had the misfortune of dislocating her knee while kayaking the day before and ended up at the hospital to see what kind of damage had been done. SPF was able to join us for camp fire though and despite her injury and not being able to kayak anymore she still had her great lively spirit!

Day 5: Tuckaseegee Gorge!

This was a beautiful day to be in the smokey mountains!

Our day on the river was amazing. The river itself was out of this world we got to experience some class II rapids which was nice to be able to see what the next level was. When we stopped for lunch we all took part in a very self realizing activity. We each took two rocks, one you wrote things you liked about yourself, the other you wrote things you wanted to change about yourself. When we were finished we threw our rocks with all things we wanted to change about ourselves into the river to rid ourselves of our past negativeness and we held on to our rock with everything we liked about ourselves so that way we would never forget what we need to hold on to. I kept my rock in my PFD pocket until we had to return our gear! Now that I am home I keep it with me! The whole day really helped me further develop my connection to the river I think this may have been the day I feel in love with kayaking!

That night at camp fire we talked about who our safety boaters in life are. When you think about it in that context there are so many people that stepped up and did exactly what they should when you needed them but also the other two extremes, those who could not meet your expectations and those who went far beyond your expectations. I have MANY saftey boaters in my life but the top two would have to be my mother and my husband. They both have done amazing things for me both in my cancer journey and in my new life after cancer. This was a very awakening night for me!

Day 6: The Day of Reckoning!

Oh today was the day! Not only was this graduation day where we all got to go down a class three rapid but it is also our last day together out on the river. Our family was all back together for our last day, SPF was rockin' a raft down the river and Pigskin was feeling well enough to come back out and join us! We were all ready and excited to face what lied ahead of us on the Nantahala. I will say that up until that day I had been able to stay upright and had not had to stay calm under water however that was about to change. The river itself was pretty cold so we were all dressed appropriately! As we started off it went well we were doing well communicating and giving each other space. I managed to just about complete a class II rapid when on the last turn I went into it sideways and flipped myself. Luckily for me I was able to stay calm under the water and I was rescued by RPM!

 Then take two of that happened about 20 minutes later a little further down the river, let's face it I got Spoonberged! (We started calling it Spoonberged because everytime Spoonberg would be near me or start talking to me I would either spin around or get stuck on a rock or in this case flip over).  Right after my second flip we were heading down to do our graduation rapid which was a class II rapid that we navigated all on our own. We had to read the water and pick the right route without any help, I thought for sure I was going to flip but sure enough I was able to read the water fairly well and made it all the way through by myself.

We stopped for lunch right before the Nantahala Falls which was the class III rapid we would be going down. I would have preferred to just keep going and eat lunch when we got back to the NOC. But it was nice to be able to see the rapid from above and have a little time to regroup and really make a plan as to how we were all going to tackle this. Rizizzle and I decided we were going to tackle this together and some how we got paired up with Spoonberg as our guide. I originally thought "Oh no this cannot be good!" given my Spoonberged past but I went with it anyway! We were the second group to go. We paddled out and headed down stream. It was probably the most anxiety/fun/exhilarating 5 minutes of my life but I made it all the way through without flipping and was so proud of myself for being able to not only accomplish that but for being able to accomplish everything I had done that week!

   

We were all able to go down the rapid despite the fact that some flipped we still all did it in one way or another and that is a huge accomplishment in and of itself!

That night we all ended up having dinner outside which turned into a big party. Crispy even taught us all how to do some greek dancing!

Needless to say we got so wrapped in up in all this that camp fire was a tad late. The night before we had all received FD t-shirts so I decided to bring my shirt to dinner and have everyone sign it. Which in turn had everyone else getting their shirts. It is a really great memento to have I am glad I did it! When we got up to camp fire we all put our shirts on and took a group photo with the sun setting over the mountains. It was actually very fitting because we had been trying to do it all week and it just so happened that it worked out perfectly for that night because the sun was setting on our adventure that had just given us great tools for the rest of our lives. And since we are all cancer survivors and it was national cancer survivors day, it was nice to have our final night have a group shot that we all also survived our white water kayaking adventure!

Even though this picture is a fun filled sight the night was very somber. We were all sad to be saying goodbye to each other but thankful for everything we had gotten from our adventure. There were two things from camp fire that have really stuck with me. The first being the Baci ceremony. It is where you take a piece of cotton thread and give it to someone else by tying it aroung their right hand. The thought behind it is that by doing this it symbolizes you giving them back spirits to their soul that will bring them good luck! I loved this ceremony and had the pleasure of sharing mine with Big Toe! The second thing that night was a kayak candle light ceremony we did. They have a hollowed out kayak that is filled with water, everyone had a lit candle and the candle served as a way to honor someone else in your life as well as honor past FDer's who are no longer able to come to anymore FD camps. The site was absolutely beautiful!

Although I was extremely sad for the week to be over and to be saying goodbye to all the new friends I had made I am forever grateful to Brad for starting this organization. As well as all those who fund-raise and volunteer their time because it has changed my life in so many ways! I am not sure I can ever really have the words to make anyone understand the FD magic!

Having said that I would love for everyone who knows a young adult or is a young adult with cancer to partake in this astounding experience. Please also help support First Descents by donating and maybe even volunteering your time if you can! I will be starting my own FD challenge and Team FD very shortly and would love anyone to join me and help support something that really is a huge part in getting back a little of yourself that is lost to cancer!

I would also like to say a special thanks to Jam our camp Photographer for having such amazing skill in a kayak that he was able to get most of these action shots of all of us in the water! His photos rock!!