The Thrills, Chills, and Spills of Kayaking

Our recent trip to Beavers Bend included a leisurely, afternoon, 2-1/2 mile kayak trip down the Mountain Fork River. Right away, Staci and I decided to get a 2-man kayak. We asked which of us should sit at the back or front. The kayak rental guy said, “It depends on brains or brawn”. Evidently, I have the brains, because he recommended Staci take the back seat as it would require more focus on rowing. As it turned out, we both enjoyed casually rowing and occasionally giving it a heave-ho. We meandered off the beaten path…er the water-way and paddled into a grove of trees and just chilled out and then we found a huge flat rock formation and “beached” our kayak on it. We disembarked and cooled off in those chilly river waters. The rest of our kayaking buddies thought that was such a great idea that they joined us. This kayaking ride was a joy ride – just basking in God’s creation and enjoying His peace throughout.

Now let me tell you about a kayaking adventure that was quite different. It included thrills, chills, and spills. This one was with my husband and our two oldest grandsons, then 12 and 14 (11 years ago). Our plan was for a leisurely float trip down the Illinois River. The river was up to 8+ feet because of recent rains so it was mandatory that we all wear life jackets. My husband and younger grandson had the 2-man kayak and the 14-year old and I each had a 1-man kayak. It was impressed upon us to avoid any fallen trees because that is where the more dangerous rapids would be. Being the adventurous team that we were, we opted for the 12-mile, instead of the 6-mile trip.

We were off and rowing. We were having a great time enjoying each other and the Illinois River's beauty and serenity. At 4 miles in, Barrett (Bear), the 12-year old, assured us he was now well trained and ready to have his turn in the 1-man kayak. So he took it on for his solo ride while Ron and I took over the 2-man.

Then our guardian angels went into double duty. Not 5 minutes into Bear’s "solo ride”, rushing water pulled him into the "fallen trees with heavy rapids" waters. He was stuck. Papa and I quickly rowed to assist him, but no sooner than we reached him, he laid back on his kayak, and was freed from the perilous waters and floated on down the river. We weren’t so fortunate. The fierce rapids pulled us into the trees and turned our kayak over. In a matter of seconds, I was stuck under the kayak. I had the momentary thought that I could drown right here. At the same time, my husband was using all the strength he had to pull the kayak off of me. Then, as if an escape hatch was opened, the kayak came off of me and I popped up out of the rushing water. I am convinced, was it not for divine intervention, my husband's strength, and the life jacket, the sharp branches of the tree and the rushing waters would have resulted in someone else sharing this story with you. When we were toppled, we lost our oars and the kayak took off down the river without us. We were free-riding in the rushing river with only our life jackets keeping us bobbing.

Braden, the 14-year old, caught the 2-man kayak, but in the process lost his 1-man into a clump of fallen trees and rushing water. During this whole perilous experience, a family in a raft (the first people we'd seen since we started), witnessed our predicament. They pulled off to shore to see how they could help. They were able to retrieve our oars as they floated down the river. They were expert swimmers with experience in whitewater rapids and insisted on helping us free the kayak that was stuck in trees. As their two young children, our grandsons, my husband and I watched from shore, this precious couple took our 2-man kayak, and with great skill dislodged the 1-man sending it on down the river. We expressed our heartfelt gratitude when we made it to their camp. They were "angels on assignment" for us. Their presence was divine intervention.

TRon, Bear and I boarded the two-man kayak, Braden was on the one-man, and before long, we saw the kayak stuck in another treed area, with oar and cooler still attached to it. This time, my hero, Ron, climbed the treed area, worked his way through poison oak vines, limbs, and branches, enduring lacerations, cuts, and a terrible poison oak rash that last for days, but released the kayak. Thankfully, the kayak floated to a shore up ahead where we were elated to stop and express our thanksgiving to God for safety, protection, and to eat our lunch that, unbelievably, was completely dry. After lunch, we continued on down the river, for an uneventful 5 more miles.

Our most recent kayaking adventure reminds me of the times that our faith journey is more routine, uneventful, calm and often extremely filled with joyful and peaceful times. God is with us in those times of smooth-sailing waters.

The other death-and-harm defying kayaking adventure is a reminder of the times that our faith journey is filled with highs and lows, pitfalls and pretty scary and painful times. It’s in those times that we don’t take life for granted and we call on divine intervention. Every day, whether we are aware of it or not, our lives may be spared as we may be in near-death situations, near-devastation circumstances – but God is with us in those stormy, perilous waters times. The reassurance of it all – God NEVER leaves us or forsakes us in ALL our kayaking experiences of life. We just need to hang on for dear life and enjoy the ride!

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6