Spending a day on the river is a great way to recharge the batteries. Whether you decide to kayak Harpeth River down the whitewater rapids or opt for a more gentle journey, you will come back refreshed and ready to take on whatever challenges life throws at you. If you've been shooting the rapids, you will already have stared death in the face and won. Nothing your boss can dish out is going to defeat you.
The first shot of adrenalin comes when you click the submit button after booking your trip. The preparation period is to be savored, especially the parts where you go shopping and prepare what you are going to take with you for lunch and snacks. If it's the first trip of the season, go out and buy new stuff, especially a cagoule. This should keep at least your top half dry.
Planning lunch will keep you occupied on the long days and nights waiting for the real adventure to begin. You can plan on burning lots and lots of calories, and it is in everyone's best interest for you to keep yourself fueled up, especially if you are joining an excursion with other people who are going to be paddling in the same boat as you. Take lots of sandwiches, potato salad, candy bars and trail mix. The Devil's Kitchen isn't going to shoot itself!
It is a good idea to take a thermos full of your favorite hot drink. You will most certainly get wet, and it can be cold on the water. Most rivers are the remnants of what once carved out canyons. Cold air sinks, and you will be at the bottom of that canyon.
Don't take anything with you that you are not prepared to leave behind. If you are going on an organized trip with experienced guides, they will do their best to make sure you do not all end up tipped out into the water. This means watches, mobile phones, credit cards; leave them all in the glove box of your car with the alarm set. Nothing is certain in this world, and keeping dry on a rafting trip is one of those things.
Take sunglasses, but not your good ones. If it is a sunny day, the glare on the water will be unbearable. If you really must wear prescription lenses, make sure you can secure them on your head with a hat, scarf or one of those devices designed for the purpose.
Your guide will advise you to wear a life jacket and helmet. Do it. If you want to know why, chances are the little shop before you get into the water will have a photograph of someone who failed to take this advice. It will not be a pretty picture.
When the day is done, and ordinary people are winding down, you will want to party all night long. Do so, you have earned it. You and your pals won't be able to stop talking anyway, not for hours. Have a few beers. Dance. Above all, use the time wisely and start planning your next whitewater rafting excursion.
The first shot of adrenalin comes when you click the submit button after booking your trip. The preparation period is to be savored, especially the parts where you go shopping and prepare what you are going to take with you for lunch and snacks. If it's the first trip of the season, go out and buy new stuff, especially a cagoule. This should keep at least your top half dry.
Planning lunch will keep you occupied on the long days and nights waiting for the real adventure to begin. You can plan on burning lots and lots of calories, and it is in everyone's best interest for you to keep yourself fueled up, especially if you are joining an excursion with other people who are going to be paddling in the same boat as you. Take lots of sandwiches, potato salad, candy bars and trail mix. The Devil's Kitchen isn't going to shoot itself!
It is a good idea to take a thermos full of your favorite hot drink. You will most certainly get wet, and it can be cold on the water. Most rivers are the remnants of what once carved out canyons. Cold air sinks, and you will be at the bottom of that canyon.
Don't take anything with you that you are not prepared to leave behind. If you are going on an organized trip with experienced guides, they will do their best to make sure you do not all end up tipped out into the water. This means watches, mobile phones, credit cards; leave them all in the glove box of your car with the alarm set. Nothing is certain in this world, and keeping dry on a rafting trip is one of those things.
Take sunglasses, but not your good ones. If it is a sunny day, the glare on the water will be unbearable. If you really must wear prescription lenses, make sure you can secure them on your head with a hat, scarf or one of those devices designed for the purpose.
Your guide will advise you to wear a life jacket and helmet. Do it. If you want to know why, chances are the little shop before you get into the water will have a photograph of someone who failed to take this advice. It will not be a pretty picture.
When the day is done, and ordinary people are winding down, you will want to party all night long. Do so, you have earned it. You and your pals won't be able to stop talking anyway, not for hours. Have a few beers. Dance. Above all, use the time wisely and start planning your next whitewater rafting excursion.
