Taking the Plunge

I'll admit, I've never been a big fan of weddings. After Drew popped the question, I suggested we sneak off somewhere romantic and elope. Then we started thinking about how lucky we are to live in such an amazing place and be surrounded by such awesome people, and the thought of skipping town and not having our friends and family there to support us was kind of sad. So, we booked a beautiful rental property in Snowden, Washington the last weekend of July where we could take our vows and celebrate with a summer dance party.

Despite all the craziness and cheesiness of weddings, the whole experience was surreal and we had an amazing amount of love and support. It was such a great excuse to get everyone together and it was very entertaining to watch our friend and family worlds collide. We were married by a paddling friend in a garden next to waterfall, had an amazing dinner on the veranda under some giant trees, and spent the night dancing as the sun set over Mt. Hood in the distance. Drew's family is from Ohio, and mine is from Utah, so it was really special to have everyone come out to Hood River to see why we love it so much here in the northwest.

At the end of the day, I get to spend my life with my favorite person in the whole world, and really that is all that matters. Love you Drew!

Huge thanks to our parents and everyone else who helped make everything run smoothly. We couldn't have done it without you!

Snowden Castle: http://www.snowdencastle.com/

Blossoms Catering: http://www.blossomscatering.com/

Lucy's Informal Flowers: http://www.informalflowers.com/

Sweet Cakes by Melissa: http://www.sweetcakesweb.com/

Artful Images: http://www.womanphotographer.com/

The Party Place: http://www.thepartyplacepdx.com/
DJ O.G.ONE: http://www.djogone.com/
Mari-Beth Guenter: http://www.gorgeweddingplanner.com/

Bachelorette Paddle

I couldn't think of any way I'd rather spend the last of my single days than paddling miles and miles of big Idaho whitewater with 8 of my favorite girlfriends. Kim Becker, Monica Gokey, Susan Hollingsworth and I all got engaged within a year of each other. So, we decided to join forces for the ulimate bachelorette paddle on the South Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho. A few days before the trip, I got a message from Susan that said to bring “your big girl panties cause there will be some sick whitewater some sick camping and some sick good times.” I could already tell it was going to be an epic trip.

We met up with a bunch of our favorite ladies (from Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and California) in McCall, Idaho in mid June and the excitement level was high. The river was running around 5.25 ft. and only a couple of the girls had done it before so we were all really fired up. In the commotion of getting to the shuttle driver's house, the party van from Hood River broke down. Luckily it didn't slow us down for long and within about an hour we had swapped cars, rearranged boats, and dropped the van off with a mechanic on the way out of town. We made it to the river with just enough time to drop off our gear at camp and head upstream for a warm-up run down the EFSF Salmon before dinner.  

 

The East Fork rocked my socks! I had been running mostly low volume creeks all spring and it felt very humbling to get out on some big water. It was great to fall asleep by the fire that first night surrounded by a bunch of rad women, listening to the roar of the rapids, and dreaming of what was in store for us downstream.  

 

Cheyenne Rogers, Anika Lofts, Kim Becker, Emily McGinty, 

Lana Young, Christie Eastman, Monica Gokey, 

Susan Hollingsworth, StacyAnn McBain

Over the next couple of days what we found downstream was miles and miles of continuous class IV-V wave trains, giant holes, beautiful wilderness, and great camping. It was unlike any river I had ever seen before. The whitewater was incredible and easily some of the best I've ever paddled. Every day when we got to camp, an impressive amount of food, cocktails, party favors and costumes would emerge from the sterns of our kayaks. I'm actually amazed at how much fun stuff we were able to cram into our boats for a 4 day self-support trip.

 Camping on the SF Salmon

Side hike

The scenery throughout the trip was amazing. We snuck up on a lot of wildlife including a cinnamon bear and some mountain sheep. Just when we thought the trip couldn't get any better, the river narrowed and dropped into a steep canyon that ended in a rapid called Fall Creek. It was awesome being on the river with so many solid ladies. There were a couple of intimidating hole rides during the trip, but we all made it through successfully with no carnage or swims.

 Fall Creek Rapids

To top it all off, Stacy had arranged for a jet boat full of cold beer to suprise us at camp when we reached the confluence of the Main Salmon. The jet boat driver took us on a wild ride up the Main Salmon to Mackay's bar for some hula hooping and volleyball. Of course we were all decked out in superhero costumes for the occasion.  

 

 

The paddle out on the Main Salmon

It really was the trip of a lifetime. I think Susan summed it up best in an email she sent out before the trip,

"I want to do something for my girlfriends that says how much I plan on being there for you. Marriage can be tough (so i hear). Life is tough (so i hear). Having solid friends around who can support you in tough times is what makes it possible to get through sometimes. I know this trip means a lot to me, to have these women come together essentially saying that we will always be there for each other."

I couldn't agree more! I feel so lucky to be surrounded by such a top-notch group of badass girlfriends. I ♥ you girls, thanks for always being there for me, and thanks for being so freaking rad!

A Little White Engagement

About 4 years ago in Oct. 2008, I was putting on the Green Truss section of the White Salmon River with a group of friends and a guy walked up and asked if he could join us. He mentioned that he had just moved to the area from Ohio and had never paddled any of the runs around Hood River. I am all about meeting new people to paddle with, but not so excited about putting on a Class IV-V waterfall run with a complete stranger. I could tell by the awkward silence that the rest of the group was also feeling hesitant, especially since we were all bundled up in drysuits and he was wearing board shorts, a torn up dry top, and some duct-taped tennies. FYI, the White Salmon River is freezing cold year-round, especially in mid-October, but Andy Maser spoke up and told the guy he was welcome to join us and that we would show him down the river.

Well here's a great lesson in not judging a paddler by his appearance! This guy, Drew Eastman, turned out to be an awesome boater and it was great to have him along on the trip. About halfway down the run I flipped over in Upper Zigzag, got pinned up against the wall, swam, and lost my paddle. Drew helped in the effort to recover my paddle and we all ended up having a great day on the river. I got his number at the takeout and throughout the next year he became one of my favorite people to paddle with. We did some memorable trips to the Clendenning River in British Columbia, the Feather Festival in California, and the Tieton in Washington. He eventually asked me out on a date but I was pretty nervous because I didn't want to screw up one of the coolest paddling relationships I'd ever had. Luckily, the first date was awesome and before I knew what hit me, I had a really fun boyfriend!

Then last summer we were paddling the Little White Salmon and we got out to take pictures of people running Spirit Falls. Drew knelt down to get his camera out of his dry box and when he turned around he was holding a ring, and he proposed right at the lip of Spirit! Well I was completely caught off guard, but of course I said “YES!” and all our friends were cheering from the pool below. It was definitely my favorite day on the Little White ever! So, I'm sure glad that Drew decided to join us that day on the Green Truss, and I've got to say, it's great to be with someone who understands that sometimes it's important to drop everything last minute because a river just came in and you have to go kayaking :)

Hells Canyon

 In continuance of my quest to explore as many multi-day trips as I can squeeze in, I headed to Hells Canyon this August.

The Fleet

Put In

 Hells Canyon is the deepest river gorge in North America, bordering NE Oregon and W Idaho as well as the largest tributary of the Columbia River.

Soaking up the Morning Sunshine        

A Couple of Onlookers

Rachel and Jess killing it on the NRS Big Baron and NRS Big Earl

The canyon was beautiful and the rapids were nothing to shrug about either, leaving me wondering why it has taken me so long to get there.

Shane taking in the scenery

Kate in Wild Sheep rapid on the Big Earl

One of the many awesome rapids

With a great crew, Gladiator theme night, a couple of SUPs, and a flabongo, there was not a dull moment to be had!