Personal Narrative:
River Trip
I don’t know what I “want
to be” when I grow up; I do know who I want to be though. This past week
my father, mother, a family friend, and I canoed down the Nsutlin River for one
week. In the Yukon wilderness, nobody cares how your hair looks, or how you
smile at the lunch table. What matters are the fundamentals: warmth, food, and
surviving without hitting your boat mates over the head (believe me, sometimes
you wanted to). If you are prepared for anything then the likelihood of
happiness and success increases: just like in life. The core principles that I would
like to achieve in life that will affect my person are: outstanding influences,
positive mental attitude, the ability to listen, and
passion for whatever I eventually “choose to be” when I grow up.
“Another layer” This was my Dad’s
mantra as we began to stuff our bags full of what we would need in order to be
prepared for the river trip. He set out all of our cold weather gear in the
living room. “Another layer”, our house looked like a next
made by a pack of squirrels on steroids. Clothes, sleeping bags, and zip
lock bags full of peanuts were everywhere. Each person picked their own layers
to bring on the trip with them. “Another layer” The first layer: Long Johns
are the base layer; they are super warm and fundamental for river trips.
“Another layer”, then came the fleece and wind-breaker these two could be
switched out and, although important, weren’t nearly as crucial as the long
johns or the next layer: the rain coat.
Be careful of negative layers… it feels great but “cotton kills”. My old trusty rain coat is neon orang
and delaminating at the cuff, but it kept me good and dry on the river. Last,
but certainly not least was the life jacket. Although I never fell into the
water, despite my bad steering, if I had the life jacket would have saved me.
Just like on the river, I surround myself and will continue to surround myself
be good “layers”; these layers may not necessarily be clothes, but rather positive
influences that affect my performance. These layers are my support system, the
things, people or pets that I fall onto in order to keep the cold brutal world
at bay. “Another layer” the long johns are my family. They will always be the
closest to me. My friends, the windbreaker and fleece, because it is important
to not rely on any one friend to heavily. "Another layer” The rain coat is my closest
friend whom, although, they have their faults, is always there for me to
support me. Everyone whom I come into contact with, between the nice lady at
the grocery store, or my coworker who knows just the right time to give me a
smile, they are my life jacket. It is important to know your support systems,
don’t be afraid to rely on them, because one day, they will need you in turn.
After all that preparation it was
finally time to load up and move out. The First day paddling consisted of no
major life threatening or changing moments, there was no riding a moose, or tipping
the canoe, it was simply a beautiful day with a slight chill. The second day,
however, I was allowed to steer. This should never be done. Not Only did I
manage to spin us in a circle three times; but I also hit a record of nine
trees. Needless to say, by lunch time I got moved out of the Captain’s
spot. All through out this experience
though I kept getting down on myself and apologizing to Candace, our family
friend whom had to endure the brunt of the tree impacts. Candace reminded me
half way through my brutally humiliating driving day to not get down on myself
because it only hurt me and would only add to my anxiety. Going down the river
whenever one of us got cold or grumpy (usually one came with the other) the
affected person’s paddling would weaken causing it to be a longer more painful
haul to camp. P.M.A (Positive Mental Attitude) provides energy in a way that no
kitkat bar, cup of black coffee, or 5 hour energy can, without P.M.A your path
towards success will be a slow and agonizing crawl.
On the fourth day I was paddling
with my father and my mom and Candace were up ahead when they signaled to us
with a flurry of quiet arms to look at the east bank of the river. A Moose! It
was a beautiful cow moose and I, of course, just simply had to state in my
loudest voice “DAD THERE IS A MOOSE!” This promptly scared the moose back into
hiding. Disappointed, and slightly embarrassed I kept paddling on when we came
across a beaver dam. This time I was determined not to scare the wild animal
away so I put my paddle up and we were able to float serenely past the two
beavers who were chomping away and a fish. Knowing when to be quiet is
important not only on the river, but also in real life. It allows you to listen
to your friends and furthers your relationship.
No matter what you do or who you
become, you should always have passion for something in your life. On the last
night on the river I had just gotten out of the canoe, slightly chilled and
slightly grumpy, my father commented, “you know it is a good river trip when
you don’t want to go back to civilization.”, I think he was the only one that
had that attitude at that particular time, but I could see his passion, not
simply for the river trip, but for living in and with nature and recognizing
the beauty of the outdoors.
Back in Kindergarten when I was
asked what I wanted to be I said I wanted to be a veterinarian -then a doctor-
then a mechanic. I never had it figured out, but now I do, I will: be
surrounded by friends and family, have a good attitude no matter where life
takes me, have the ability to listen, and I will be passionate. I know who I
will be when I grow up, do you?
