By Marie Elium
Like most of us, I avoid scary things.
Snakes, being outdoors in wind storms and no-stretch jeans top my list. I can’t remember the last time I willingly did something that scared me or made me really uncomfortable.
Scary things usually happen to us. That’s especially true at this age. You don’t see crowds of 60-year-olds in roller coaster lines or egging each other on to go skydiving. None of my friends rock climb or cave dive, for example.
But waiting for scary things to happen and making scary things happen are very different beasts. One is draining, the other empowering. That’s how I ended up whitewater rafting with my college roommates in Tennessee.
Whitewater, White-Knuckled
I’ve always wanted to go whitewater rafting because I thought it sounded scary without actually being scary. Perception is key, and I’m all about embracing perceptions without taking risks.
I imagined a relaxing float-down-a-river version of whitewater rafting, a guide maneuvering us through occasional, tumbling rapids with gimmicky names — nothing too crazy, just enough to get my sunglasses wet. Whitewater rafting lite. For $49, how many rapids could there be?
It turns out, a lot; you get a lot of rapids for under 50 bucks. The river was high and the rapids were Class III and IV. I’m guessing Class V is for stuntmen and Olympic athletes. Sixty seconds into the trip, my single goal was to stay in the raft and protect my knee replacements.
During the only short, calm section of the river, a few high school boys in our group tumbled out of their rafts and slipped back on with the ease of river otters. I spent those same minutes girding myself for the next set of rapids. We wrestled our way through Broken Nose and Slice and Dice. Up next: Hell Hole and Powerhouse Ledge.
I ended the trip with a swollen knee (no permanent damage) and a boost of confidence. The latter is something that’s good to have at any age, but especially as we get older and life gets more challenging. Pushing limits is invigorating, even when it’s uncomfortable. That’s what I learned from a whitewater rafting trip. It was the best money I’ve spent in a long time.
Closer to Home
Our events listings in each issue are chock-full of opportunities to build confidence and learn new skills, two things I resolve to do going forward, and almost all of them free or a lot cheaper than $49. An afternoon on a river has turned me into a convert for testing limits, physically, socially and intellectually.
Here’s something that’s thrilling on a different level: live theater’s back in Northeast Ohio. Read about how Playhouse Square has fared during the past year and our rundown of upcoming performances throughout the region.
If retirement is looming, you’ll like our story about planning a successful transition (terrifying for some in its own way). And I know Browns fans will enjoy reading about a local man who once hung out with the team’s greatest players and is on a first-name basis with today’s stars. It’s going to be a great season.
I’m excited to see what happens with my new whitewater-fueled confidence. Snakes, storms, jeans. I’m ready. Baby steps, I know, but every journey begins with a single step. I hope yours is a good one, and just a little bit scary.
~Marie
