How do you go about beginning to wrap your thoughts around an incredible trip in true wilderness with strangers who become close friends? Another amazing Survive & Thrive trip with YD Adventures in the books! (to learn more about our story and why we created Survive & Thrive Expeditions, check out the link here) Mikey and I arrived back home late Saturday night and then spent all day unpacking and cleaning gear, getting set to jump back into the work week. It was an amazing time away and it’s always surreal to leave the wilderness and come back to “real life,” and we’ve spent a long time already debriefing the trip and thinking through our experiences.
To go from not knowing each other and experiencing those awkward conversations in the car on the drive to the river to constantly chatting into the night even though people are tired and we’re waking up at 6 am shows what a change we went through as a group. The community was amazing, real, and deep; the weather pretty good (despite several STRONG headwinds throughout the day which made for a hard finish to end the day!); the conversations honest; the group amazing paddlers! That made for a much more relaxed time for us as guides and gave us so much more energy to invest in the group – what a gift to us!
There were great morning paddles, the beauty of the Green Dragon Canyon, and some beautiful hikes:
I loved the group dynamics despite not knowing in the beginning how much the group would mesh – it was an eclectic group of varied ages and personalities and I loved watching the group come together. There were some sun burns (my lips in particular – worst burn I think I’ve ever had! But it made me feel a bit hardcore, truth be told), some cold mornings, and a few scrapes and cuts, but overall we left unscathed and proud of our war wounds.
Although there were a few cold mornings and wet suit wearings, it was overall pleasant and warm – the Owyhee River weather we know and love! Here are a few snapshots of life around camp and on the river:
The best part? Sharing our lives with one another and honestly opening up to reflect on our own stories and then sharing them with one other. What a blessing to be a part of each other’s lives and being privileged to listen to one another.
All in all, words can’t convey what an incredible experience we had together and it’s hard to put on paper what a life-changing trip it was. At the same time, photos can convey so much beauty and video can give you a glimpse of our time with one another (warning: it’s long as it was made and meant for those on the trip, so if you don’t have the time for the full feature, skip to minute 13 – that’s where the end of the video starts and you can see mine and Mikey’s party trick at the end). It’s good to be home but I’m enjoying reminiscing and look forward to keeping in touch with the group and to future trips!
Thanks to Colin and Ryan for being great fellow guides and trip leaders and to the whole group for trusting us to come on an unknown adventure and open up to share your lives with us and each other. What a special and meaningful time we had together! May you transition as smoothly back to your work and school and family lives as you did from the city to the river, from working to kayaking, and may you continue to write a good story.
STE Owyhee 2012 Video from Mikey lang on Vimeo.
Live well & be well friends! (it’s good to be back) π
Bonnie
Hey bon…dad and I just watched the whole thing….wow….loved the music, the way you guys all connected and love that you are giving life and hope to young adults with cancer….what a calling in life! Thank you for sharing your experience in music and video! We loved it!
mom and dad
Thanks mom! Loved your comment – made my night! π
Oh my gosh! It looks like you all had an amazing experience. It’s incredible when from uncertainty that bond and community forms between people. You all are doing amazing things and inspiring such hope to those battling cancer.
Thanks so much for your kind comment, Christine! I appreciate your words. π
So awesome! Sounds quite comparable to my recent Columbia Sportswear experience. So many eclectic people coming together that bond VERY well together. I absolutely love your photos and am glad you had a fantastic time.
Isn’t that just so awesome when that happens?! Love it. Thanks for your comment, Heidi!
wow girl
YOU ARE AMAZING and yet I read the post and the first comment and thought again WHAT A FANTASTIC and STRONG family you come from too.
you just good people.
xoxoxo
What a kind comment – thanks so much for your insight and encouragement – I definitely come from an amazing family and am so thankful for them! π Good people indeed. π
wonderful!! looks like an amazing adventure and a wonderful cause
π Thanks for your comment!
That looks like a blast! Have you heard of Athletes Against Cancer? They do a trip to Hawaii for a week long trip of surfing and paddleboarding each year. They are hosting a fundraising in the Hood River (OR) of kitesurfing this week, I believe. They are awesome.
Oh and Red Robin. Totally jealous. We have the commercials here in Savannah, GA….. but no RR. I used to have one up the street from me in Oregon…. miss their fries π
So interesting! No, I haven’t heard of AAC, but I know of several similar organizations in the US that do many similar things for young adult cancer survivors. Definitely less resources in Canada but I love meeting others who do this too and connecting across borders!
…and yes, those bottomless fries are incredible – especially after a trip. π
This just sounds beyond amazing and life altering. Inspiring.
Yes, it is – and the people make it that way. π Thanks for your note!
I’ve missed you!! I can’t believe you get to have all of these amazing opportunities – no one deserves it more, Bon!
…I’ve missed you too! I don’t know if I deserve it but I am so grateful God’s given us these opportunities! π …good to be back and connecting with you (albeit online). π
That looks like so much fun! The photos are awesome… quite the adventure.
You said it – an adventure indeed! Thanks for the note!
I feel really inspired…sounds like the perfect holiday/trip!
I don’t know if I’d call it a “holiday” (not easy, uncomfortable at times, π and a lot of work on the front end for us) but yes, it’s an incredible, life changing, and I am SO thankful to be able to experience this! …thanks so much for your comment, Charissa!
I’ll be back to watch the video later, but I loved looking at the photos and reading your initial thoughts on the trip. Sounds incredible, I’m so jealous of all your outdoor adventures! π
Oh I love hearing about how much you do too, Heather! Keep rocking those trails and enjoying the places your job takes you – love it. π
looks like a great time!!
Oh yes – it definitely was, Rana! π
This looks absolutely beautiful!!! I found my best friend in the most uncertain time of my life – my first class in college. The first time I’d ever been alone, somewhere new, without my family. (We’d moved around so often in the military, that this was so new to me.) My roommate hated me instantly, because I was a Freshman, and she was a Sophomore. So I didn’t even have that for a beginning! lol We’ve been best friends for 12 years now and she’s godmother to my second daughter.
I love everything that this stands for, Bonnie. It’s beautiful.
Thanks for sharing part of your story, Melissa – what a beautiful journey! I loved reading your comment. Oftentimes great things come out of uncertainty, and you’re a great example of that!
I agree with linz.. MISS YOU!!But so excited for you!
MISS YOU TOO! …thanks for the note. π