Roughin It...

For our 3rd anniversary (which isn't for another 2 weeks), Brooke and I decided to take a little weekend trip to Chattanooga. Neither of us had been whitewater rafting in years, so it seemed like a good idea. We reserved an afternoon spot to go down the middle part of the Ocoee, and away we went. Despite having a very experienced guide, nothing could help the hapless girls at the front of our boat. I don't know how difficult other people find it to paddle in sync, but apparently this was quite a task for them.

Regardless, we had fun doing 360's through the Slingshot and surfing a few of the rapids. And Brooke FINALLY got tossed from the boat after five rafting trips, which is funny now, not so much when she started getting pulled downriver as I (not tossed, I got mad skills) threw an oar at her to reel her back in.

This is a nice before and after picture. Above we have our boat approaching a class 4 rapid, complete with guide. Below we have our boat leaving the class 4 rapid, without a guide. I would have been concerned, but only Brooke noticed he had inadvertently thrown himself from the boat. Oh yeah, we did get him back eventually.

After we rafted, we camped out near the Ocoee... way too close to other people for comfort. And we picked one of the hottest days of the year to camp out. We looked kind of dumb for starting a big fire, but we needed hot dogs and s'mores, dangit!!

And a big thanks to Sam and Dave for our ginormous tent that should come complete with air conditioner and butler. We were the envy of the campground. As you can see, our definition of roughing it isn't the same as others. But we were comfortable, so we don't really care!

All in all, a fantastic time out in the woods despite me killing our fire too soon. But note to self: camp out when the heat index does not cross 100 degrees. Thanks.