Throughout my adult life, I’ve experienced a series of events that all share the same prevailing theme – I never thought I’d go like this. Perhaps it was always an overly-anxious prediction of my sudden demise, and fortunately it never came to fruition (obviously). But each occasion had one thing in common. Travel.
The first was a whitewater rafting trip. Eight of us from work traveled from Detroit to Pennsylvania (or West Virginia?). Mistakenly, we trusted the athlete/ experienced rafter in our group to select what level rapids we would conquer. We settled into two rafts and turned down the opportunity to take a guide with us. It was soon clear we were in over my heads and so was the water. One by one, seven out of the eight of us flipped out of the rafts, as we jerked over rapids that were beyond our control. As I splashed my way to safety with the help of a guide, my internal dialogue screamed I never thought I’d go like this. The fun was long gone. I knew my friends would make sure I was safe though – I had the car keys.
My second experience a few years later was on a work trip to China, a guest of a Chinese hospital in the Szechuan Province. They thought I’d like to see some of their countryside, so off we went to see their newest national park. I sat in the front passenger seat, on the narrow, steep mountain road, muddy with deep ruts. Then I looked out the passenger window. No guard rails, no shoulders on the side and the only thing deeper than the ravine was my imagination. I never thought I’d go like this. I prayed my family would NOT pay the money to come and reclaim my remains. Fortunately, I never had to find out if they would.
Then there was the time when I was convinced I’d be trampled by a herd of elephants. We were staying in a tented campground on a safari in Africa and a gentle knocking against the heavy pole of our platform tent woke me up around midnight. Thinking it was a giraffe, I untangled myself from the mosquito netting surrounding my bed to peek out the canvas door and discovered it was a herd of elephants enjoying a midnight buffet of grass on the other side of the canvas. Even after I remembered that elephants were herbivores and realized they wouldn’t eat me, my anxiety reached new heights and realized death would come by trampling. I never thought I’d go like this. After we made loud noises, we felt the ground shake from the thunderous sprint of elephants running past our tent.
My most recent experience was a few weeks ago. A simple whale watching expedition out of Vancouver, British Columbia. In a zodiac rib boat. Which is nothing more than a heavy-duty inner tube for 12 with a motor attached. For 46 years, I’ve avoided these zodiacs since the rafting incident, but I agreed to drink a cup of courage, climb into my safety suit which “doubles as a flotation device” (like hell it does) and join the fun. I gripped the seat with all my might as we traveled for 40 minutes, hitting every wake at full force, when suddenly, WHOMP.
Whatever we hit sent us airborne, and left us without a working engine and no steering capacity. I knew then our red safety suits would only make it easier for the rescue and recovery teams to find our bodies. Fortunately, I never had to test that theory, but still, I never thought I’d go like this crept into my mind. It took a long half hour for the replacement zodiac to arrive before we could continue our quest to see whales. Did we? Yes. Did I care? No. That’s what we have National Geographic TV for.
What I’m nervous about is that in a month, we’re off to Iceland. Kathy and I have canceled our zodiac excursion. And our off-road ATV journey onto the glaciers, which was listed as demanding but hey, we like a good adventure. Well, we used to. My new motto is this: if safety gear or training is required, I’m out, regardless of the stories it can provide. To be honest, I’m just not ready to go out quite yet,
I love reading your patchwork journey. You’re such a talented writer and fun to be around. Keep up the good work.🎂🎂
Thanks, Linda. That means the world to me.
Funny Pam. But I am with you 100%.
Thanks, Jan. An event-free life is my goal going forward.
Great story, Pam! Have fun – and stay safe!
Thanks. I thought about you – nothing like curling up and reading a good book, right? That’s my adventure now.
Never a dull moment in your active mind! Good thing quilting doesn’t come with a warning or safety gear😂
Haha. You are so right, but a quilting accident did send me to urgent care once. And my active mind can really wear me out sometimes. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment.
Wonderful commentary. I’m with you. My most adventurous self stays put!
Ah, but we enjoyed the adventure when we were younger, right? Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment.
Yup, I’ve learned my limits. A cave adventure in Barbados which was more spelunking through mud than an “exploration” solidified that. Google images is just fine. Iceland has beautiful scenery and you can appreciate it without the zodiac. Enjoy!
Thank you, Andrea. I am a little too claustrophobic for caves so you’re braver than I am. I love sharing our travel stories. While we can when we can, right?
Oh my your adventures keep me on the edge of my seat reading them, can’t imagine what it felt like to live them.
Glad you are around to tell the stories and have yet to had to write from the heavens, let’s keep it that way.
I enjoy your writings and would really miss them and YOU!
Enjoy Iceland, it was on our list with our last cruise however the weather decided differently and we remained in Canada in a loop that didn’t seem to end.
My friend, you could have your whole list of adventures as well. Thank you for your kind words – they mean so much.
Thanks for re sending this to me . I love reading your posts.
Glad to hear. Thanks so much.
What a hoot! Love your adventures!!
Thanks, Sheryl. So glad you enjoyed this.
Loved reading this! Made me smile that my Mom and I were a small part of your journey. Keep living your best life and definitely share your stories!!
Thanks, Christie. You and your mom will always be a big part of my travel memories.
Those are scary events, all, and I’m so glad none of them ended as you imagined they might! You will have a great time in Iceland…mud baths, perhaps…gazing at amazing waterfalls…walking around sweet little towns and finding local artisans who are very happy to see you and share their gifts, as you so beautifully are sharing yours. Have a great, safe trip!
Thank you, Beth. I am really looking forward to the trip and new adventures.
Love how you can write humorously about your sometimes terrifying adventures! Every time I get in or out of a kayak I remember your hilarious experience in Seldovia…
Thank you, Barb. Its good to have a sense of humor, isn’t it.
Pam, I always have a great laugh when I read your stories. Love them! Love you!
Thank you. I am so glad I bring you joy!
You have had such wonderful adventures!!and I’m so happy you survived them all and are able to share the “fun” with us. Great reading!
Thank you, Kathy. I appreciate that you appreciate my stories.
Thank you for the laughs. You certainly have been adventurous. I love reading what you write.
Thank you, Karen. I’m glad you enjoyed my travel stories.
Thanks for posing a new blog. I think many of us are happy to read your stories. I remember hearing about these dramatic adventures. Glad you’re back in writing mode and very thankful you haven’t checked out.
Thanks, Judy. This means a lot and yes, I’m glad I’m around for more stories to write as well.
Loved this story. Tom always says anything you live through makes for a great travel story.
Enjoy Iceland
Thanks, Joy and Tom is right. I always think of it as material!