A test!

Saturday afternoon my Sweetie and I went on a canoe trip through a section of the Colorado River. It was a beautiful day, the water was low but adequate for our journey. We've never gone boating before -- well, we did ride a raft down the Colorado River in Colorado but that was more like white water rafting. This was to be peaceful paddling.

It was -- paddling -- BUT...

Shortly after we started I decided that every couple, from engagement on, should have to take a canoe trip together! It is a real test of your ability to work together.

First of all, neither one of us really knew just what we were supposed to be doing. Oh, sure, getting from point A to point B. Yeah, right! How? The other canoes (7 in our group) mostly disappeared from sight early on. We were one of the last three even though we were the second to launch. Did you know you can do doughnuts in a canoe just like you can a car? Well, trust me on this, it not only can be done but we did it frequently. We also paddled backward quite well.

Paddling a canoe is a little like steering a car in a skid. You turn (paddle)opposit the direction you want to go. You have to be in agreement about just where you are aiming for. I was in the front and Sweetie was in the back. His stroke is more powerful than mine -- just simple differences in our upper body strength. I understood the principle -- we wanted to go straight ahead most of the time, unless we were missing something submerged or an island. I thought I understood what I was doing. He, on the other hand, did not think I understood at all. We worked at cross purposes (hence the doughnuts!)

Ok, submissive little wife put down her independence and said, "Darling, just tell me what you want me to do and I'll do it." (Aren't I sweet!) We would be heading in the wrong direction and he'd say, "Paddle on the right side (or the left side.)" and I'd frown, because I was sure that was the wrong way, but I'd do it. About two strokes later he'd yell -- "No, no, the other side." By then we were halfway around in our doughnut --- AGAIN!!

We saw both banks of the river all the way down -- I tried to pretend that I was merely looking at the flora and fauna -- that it was deliberate. I don't think we fooled anyone. We just couldn't keep it straight!

About 2 hours into our 3 or so hour journey we stopped on a sandbar with the others to take a break from sitting. Lovely place, the children played in the water, we chatted and ate snacks and drank our water. Then Sweetie and I set sail again. Ok, no sail, but I wanted to get ahead of the pack. This time Sweetie got in front and I rode in the back. Oh, my. I got dizzy from all the doughnuts. One by one, the other canoes passed us and once again we were the back of the pack. Around and around we went. Finally, Sweetie, at this point very frustrated, decided to stand up and change his seat cushion. Yes, he stood up! in a canoe! in the water! and guess what -- over we went! Into the river! A very wet river! Fortunately, we were in a rather shallow area, but I was all over wet. I went to grabbing camera (in double zip-lock bags) paddles, water bottle, cushions, etc. The canoe never really sank but with water in it (we were told) it weighs 2000 pounds. Took a bit of doing and some help to get it turned over and emptied. My camera fared well but his cell phone bag leaked and it appeared that the phone had drowned. :-(

When we finally got the boat mostly empty of water I decided I was getting back in the front. Sweetie was totally embarassed, and greatly apologetic, and he was more inclined to follow my lead at this point. We managed to complete the trip without other mishaps. It was an occasion for friendly laughter among our group members when we landed at the pick-up point. Thankfully we were able to deliver canoe, paddles, cushions, life vests, etc., all intact.

While preparing for the trip I decided to take along a change of clothing. Tried to talk myself out of it but no, it just seemed a wise thing to do. Thank goodness, I didn't have to ride back home (hour drive) in those wet garments. I was so happy to get into dry clothing! Didn't take extra shoes but did have my beach shoes in the car so they sufficed for the ride home. (I should have been wearing them in the canoe!)

So back to the engaged couples -- I think it says a lot about a couple's ability to work together if they can paddle a canoe in somewhat the direction they want to go. It takes a lot of teamwork -- a reasonable amount of give and take -- the ability to laugh at yourself -- the ability to let go and let someone else lead -- and, oh, yes, forgiveness!

Well, a new life experience for this old married couple! It is a lot funnier now than when I was sloshing around in the river!

And, on a final note, we dried out the cell phone and after a while it came back to life and appears to be just fine! Praise the Lord!!