Day in the Life of a White Water Raft Guide (That's Me!)

I wake up in the morning feeling like p diddy... no just kidding not him, but a badass nonetheless! Because I know the day will be epic. Will I flip today? Or swim someone in class three white water? You never know.

My eyes blink open to see the river raging. The flow probably came up over the course of the night, which means bigger rapids! The roaring waves and chirping birds remind me that I am in the middle-of-no-where-California-foot-hills. I've don't have walls or electricity, just the bounty of the river and the adventure she delivers.

The day always starts with yoga and meditation. It keeps me calm, cool, and collected when all of the people on my boat freak out because the water touched them.

After a quick breakfast made on my camp stove, me and some other raft guides throw a bunch of boats onto a trailer, and drive to the top of the river. We await our guests. Usually they know how to swim.

The homies of the day seem cool. After a quick how-to-paddle and stay alive speech, they get in the boat. I tell the two people who I hope are the strongest and most coordinated to sit in the front. After a little bit of practice paddling together, we're off! Big water awaits.

This is the first and largest rapid of the day. Its is called Bonzai! Its a huge hole in the middle of the river. With momentum and power, we crush it!

Carrying on down stream, I steer the raft away from true danger like trees and flipping. I'm a splash chaser.

Ten miles of fun later, we've reached take out. We pack up the boats and put all of the gear away, ready to get used by a new set of customers tomorrow. I say goodbye to the homies, and hopefully get tipped. Then all of the guides hop in the bed of a pick up truck and drive to the nearst bridge.

One, Two, Three, JUMP!

Now I'm tired, so I chill out with the other raft guides and watch the water float by. It was an epic day spent in awe of the beautiful river. I can't wait to do it again tomorrow!

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Thanks for reading, Steem Community! Follow me @AcroButterfly for more posts about epic shit. Because that's the only way I know how to roll.