With no significant hangovers, we left home around 8am: Brian needed to see a doctor about his accident last week. While he was doing that, I spent a few hours sitting in front of the hospital on a reclining camping armchair reading "Atlas Shrugged". The book is definitely worth reading -- as much as I don't agree with the emotionless approach to life, the book has a lot of very interesting notions.
We saw Chris and Jody on the highway, and rode up to Willow in a convoy. It was another sunny day, and we could see almost see Mt Denali...
Chris: The Grim Boater
Chris is also known as the Grim Boater. Two years ago he flipped in a rapid on Willow Creek, got flushed under a log, and pinned there. The water forced him farther and farther under the log. He tried to roll but got his hand stuck in the tree and broke it. Fortunately the bottom end of the log broke off, and he floated up. His paddle was gone, but he was up! He continued hand-paddling to get to shore, when his paddle surfaced up next to his boat. The rapid is known now as One Less Lawyer, although Chris lived to tell the tale. He was understanbly gripped for the next year or so, and hence the Grim Boater nickname. I'm amazed that he still kept paddling...
I felt very honored -- the previous day Chris offered me one of his custom-made stickers with the Grim Boater logo.
Surfing
After the number of times we all ran this stretch (guardrail to shirley towne) I don't feel I have much to describe. We played and played, and it was a blast!
I got out of the boat to take off some clothes (overdressed again!) and took the opportunity to shoot some photographs. The digital camera is fun, but unfortunately I cannot take pictures while I'm in the boat. It's OK, just takes more effort...
While I was taking pictures, I noticed that my boat started floating off -- with the camera case right on top of it! Brian and Jody noticed it and corraled it for me :)
After paddling Brian and I drove to Denali NP, but that's another story.