Homecoming

It's good to be home and back with my daughters and wife. Although having to endure a week of faculty meetings has been somewhat trying. Traveling and exploring North Carolina has definitely been a blessing. It was great paddling whitewater and riding some amazing switchbacks down some great mountain bike trails! Next week looks better for some outdoor recreation here in Manitoba.

My grandmother passed away early this morning - Grandma Friesen lived a long life and had been alone for the past sixteen or so years since my Grandpa died. So although I am sad and feel her loss - I am thankful for the legacy she leaves behind and feel joy that she is now in heaven. We will celebrate and remember her life this Sunday with a family time and on Monday honor her with a funeral.

So much to say about grandmothers...they love & care so much; they can get away with spoiling us with treats & games; they pray and have a faith like no one else...what a homecoming my Grandmother is experiencing right now - I can only imagine.

G

Return of the Explorer

“I wonder what sort of tale we’ve fallen into?”

—J. R . R . Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings

I returned from my journey to NC Sunday morning and hope to post a gleaning from my personal journal below. My readers are welcome to blame my tardiness in posting as of late due to a week of faculty meetings and the need to reconnect with family & friends but in all honesty it probably has more to do with my lack of ambition this time of year. Spring has sprung and I find it challenging to spend time in front of a monitor and keyboard.

I managed to keep a journal in paper format regarding my escape and I've done my best to scrape together some sort of a summary of my ten day journey here. I've managed to travel back into time and post my journal entries sequentially. So to read the start of my journey you will have scroll down to my quick links or click on the April section.

G

Links to Journal Days: One, Two, Three & Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten.

I should also note that I borrowed some pictures from Lisa Swift to spruce up my journal a little. Thanx for the pics Lisa!

Reflections back home...

The trip was a memorable one and I understand better how to run a leadership development program effectively. It requires a number of necessary ingredients: capable instructors, leaders-in-training who seek to be taught, travel, patience, a community spirit, the opportunity for challenge, opportunities to serve & lead, a perceived but calculated risk, real adventure, a processing of that adventure experience, time spent with God, and the great outdoors.

It was a trip to be remembered but once again it is great to be home!

G

Day Ten: April 30 - Kayak Nantahala

We awoke to the sounds of rain and thunder. Admittedly, I was somewhat discouraged by it all - hoping this wouldn't prevent me from paddling my favorite river in the area! Thankfully by about 9:30 the rains & storm had let up somewhat turning into a cloudy mist type of drizzle.

After some genius shuttle math (surprisingly due to my normally inept calculations) on my part, we decided to take one van to the put-in and a second van 1/2 way down past some of the more advanced class III sections. After dropping us off at the put-in, Cristin drove our van back to the NOC parking lot and drove with the second group to the halfway mark and did the same for them.

It was great paddling the Nantahala river again, it started out with a bang (as it did last time I was here) but all went well this time. I still remember the carnage six years ago with some LDP paddlers who probably should not have put-in at that point. It was really a beautiful and almost surreal experience running the rapids through the mist and rain. Sometimes, it was so foggy that it was hard to see Micheal in the lead boat.

I managed to get a little surfing in on a wave but I ended up swimming after I was unable to setup my roll - I'll blame it on my sore forearm but in reality I'm simply rusty when it comes to my roll. I used to have a pretty much bombproof roll but I haven't really paddled since last spring. My last summer was spent building a house, prepping for new courses, and of course welcoming Aimee into our lives in August as our second daughter to be born! After my swim - I definitely felt the cold and it clearly affected my paddle. I also felt the affects which I nicknamed Guyabito's Revenge in my stomach which churned a bit like some of the whitewater I was running. All in all though - it was a fun descent but I decided to not run the falls this time around. I had nothing to prove having run it three or four times six years ago. I'll be back with a bombproof roll next time.

Michael, Scott, Eric, Lisa, Tyson, & Bret all successfully ran the falls but most of them ended up having to do a roll. Tyson almost lost it at the top of the falls but managed to get straightened out before plunging into a pretty gnarly but safe hole. Although envious, I was very proud of them all!

Kayaking Mayhem @ Nantahalla

After the fun on the Nantahala we returned to Tsali and I began the arduous task of packing. It was to get cleaned up and enjoy a brief but hot shower as well. Supper was good - Mediterranean Rissoto I believe. I spent some time writing goodbyes in the trip journal and saying goodbyes before leaving with Eric and his Jeep Liberty for the Asheville Airport along with Bret, Tyson & Terry.

My time in the airport was uneventful but it has given me time to reflect, read, and unwind. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able to sleep much here but soon I will be home!

Day Nine: April 29 - The Little Tennesse River

A foggy, dreary morning turned into a warm & sunny day of paddling a very basic but fun river. It had it's moments of frivolity and whitewater moments but again a very introductory river meant to once again encourage paddling skills and confidence. It was great getting to know Eric - the MIA LDP who got called back to the Reserves (Air Force) half way through the program. Gradually, I'm getting a really good understanding of the ethos of this year's LDP participants.

We had hoped to also paddle a section of the Nantahala today but we ended up trying to get one of the van's lights to function correctly. We were unable to accomplish that but were treated to a true mexican meal experience courtesy of the generosity of Eric at a local Mexican restaurant called Guayabitos. Bueno good!

I connected well with the group tonight and the study went really well in my estimation. I'm really enjoying getting to know the guys of the group and hope to keep in contact with them following the trip. I chatted with Bret after the study and hopefully encouraged him to continue to live out the passion he has for his future in camp ministry. He's been a great tent mate. Tyson & Terry both have impressed me as well as future leaders in whatever they pursue.

Two more nights and I see my family! The hope is to paddle the Nantahala tomorrow and leave for Asheville sometime after supper. I'll be sleeping in the airport for night and hopefully arrive back home Sunday morning!

Day Eight: April 28 - Mountain Bike Tsali

Another day of cool weather but amazing singletrack at Tsali - self-proclaimed mountain biking mecca of North Carolina! Breakfast was minimalist - bowl of cheerios, so I added a Powerbar to my palate and soon we were riding the Mouse Trail. The picture below is of Bruce, yours truly, Mandy (fellow Manitoba outdoor enthusiast), & Michael - thanks again for inviting to be a guest instructor on the trip!

It consisted of hardpack singletrack that wound up intelligently up and around a variety of mountains. Subtle climbs and amazingly fast and tight descents! All in all - it is very understandable why Tsali is a classic place to ride. Nothing too technical like back home but unbelievabley fast! Highlights included some amazing lookouts over the nearby lake, some really neat and exposed switchbacks, losing it around one particular corner, Lisa showing off her mtn biking prowess by keeping right up behind me, Bret & Tyson leading us stealthfully and quickly through an amazing loop of epic biking!

After riding, I took a good warm shower and then a bunch of us went to the Nantahala Outdoor Centre. I bought some clothing & trinkets for the girls which hopefully will be a nice memento of my time away but still thinking about them. My left forearm has a muscle that for whatever reason is enflamed and giving me grief - I hope the anti-inflamatories I've been engesting will help. Tomorrow - we will see if the Little Tennessee will be worth the paddle.

Supper was great - Cristin & Emily really have organized the trip and meals well! I'm not sure what we ate but it was tasty and spicey!

Tomorrow night I will be leading a devotional with the group and I'm hoping they will enjoy out exploration of John 10:1-18 which I've nicknamed Mary had A Little Lamb Meets Braveheart. Basically we'll take a look at the metaphor shepherd and how it affects how we do leadership. My hope is that the LDP will put themselves into the story & parable within the passage and creatively respond to it. From that we will glean some leadership implications.

Off to bed - tomorrow we kayak!

G

Mountain Biking Tsali With LDP 2005

Day Seven: April 27 Kayak Tuckaseegee River

Sleep was good at the musty motel in Bryson City - even if my gear smelled of old cigarette smoke. Soundtrack for the day - Jack Johnson's latest - In Between Dreams. We admittedly looked and felt like a band of kayaking gypsies with all our bags, gear, & food strewn across a parking lot and two motel rooms. A futile attempt at drying wet paddling gear was made, a rushed breakfast and quickly packed lunch, a prayer, and then we were off to the mighty but mild Tuckasqeegee (my affectionate nickname).

Outdoor Recreation Gypsies

We found the put-in, unloaded our plastic boats, and started eating our lunches while Michael & Bruce worked out shuttle math. I had a good conversation with a prof from a local outdoors-oriented school - Brevard College who also was helping lead a group of outdoor-ed type students open-boat the Tuck.

After M & B got back (around 11:30) we drifted through the riffles, navigated the submerged rock outcrops, and paddled our way through a maze of available lines through some class one & two moving water. The river admittedly was a tad on the dull side for where I am at now but the highlights included revisiting The Fugitive movie set complete with the train/bus crash site along the river, a short surf or two on a few waves but nothing really epic.

It was however an excellent day to build the confidence of LDP still getting a handle on this whitewater kayaking thing. Most of my time was spent coaching Kelly, Emily & Cristin though the paces of paddling and reading whitewater. There comfort levels increased exponentially every rapid. I used the classing rating scale of comfort to gauge where everyone was at: 1=scary & sucks to 10=it's a beautiful day!

I am missing Wen & the girls much these days and wish I had them down here with me. I am looking forward to future family adventures and getting my daughters into whitewater paddling and mountain biking! I love teaching in the outdoors and it has been cool to see the many God-inspired connections I have made through Medeba's Leadership Development Program over the years. I have made good friends through many of the different LDP years that have happened. Jodi and Mandy have been probably the most frequent in their visits with us, but it has been great to connect with Ben & Reesa, Bean, Becky, Tif, Tania and many others who we have become friends with over the years. I am really impressed with the potential leadership capability of this year's LDP and am guessing I will have more chances to connect with them.

G

Day Six: April 26 - Kayak Green River

It may have been a late start to a day of adventure but by 1:00 pm we were on the Green River, a good introductory whitewater river with mainly class 1 & 2 rapids with perhaps a class 3 descent or two. Michael (the LDP director & good friend) took the lead in his spiffy green Dagger Crazy 88, followed by Mandy in her aqua Dagger Juice & the more advanced paddlers in the LDP. I took the middle group with Scott (a fellow LDP alumnus) and Bruce (Medeba's executive director) took the sweep position at the back.

Temperature wise both the water and air were more comfortable than days past. Unfortunately, the first rapid proved to be a bit technical for Cristen who ended up pinned in what we paddler's refer to as strainers - a partially submerged tree near the shore. I managed to get to her quickly, got out of my boat (a Dagger Medieval) and helped her wet exit. By then Michael, had arrived as well and comforted her on shore. I managed to free her boat from a second strainer and after a short rest - we were back on the river. There were a few more interesting and fun drops but for the most part it was a good introductory river.

I managed to do a few stern squirts and enders while playing but the Medieval is a big slicey boat compared to my ID at home. All in all, it was a great day for surfing - I even managed to do some surfing without a paddle on a really sweet, stationary wave. I was able to carve back and forth using my hands & my body position within my boat. We also found a large inflateable beach-type ball on the shore line near a bamboo forest and played with it down the doldrum sections. I will be bringing it home to my girls for future explorations of play in a pool or beach setting.

Our evening goals were to meet the Pritchard's at their uncle's cabin near the Tuckaseegee area but we managed to get their around 8:30 - over three hours later than we planned. It was good to connect with another former LDP - McKinley Pritchard. We ended up in a hotel room in Bryson City around 11:00 and thanx to the schmoozing of Tyson & Lisa - paid $60 for two rooms to escape having to set up camp in the rain and darkness.

G

Day Five: April 25 - Mountain Biking Pisgah National Forest, NC

After a cold night that hovered around 0 degrees Celsius - I managed to warm up with breakfast and from the thought of not paddling but cycling up a mountain. Excellent decision!!! We decided to cycle an area known as Turkey Pen which seemed to have a good variety of trails in a loop system - allowing us to adapt for time, fitness levels, and trail conditions.

We left around 11:30 following a winding creek known as South Mills Creek. We began a steep descent from the parking lot which was perhaps midway up the mountain and rode hard pack trails slightly wider than what I would term single track. The numerous water crossings required dismounts through rather frigid waters making me second guess my decision of not taking a full body wetsuit along on the trip for paddling. Hopefully the rivers we paddle are warmer!

The trail system was simply incredible - subtle but significant climbs and these amazing never ending descents complete with great lips to gain air off of, along with some tight turns and the occasional switchback. We eventually ended up on an amazing mountain which forced us to walk our bikes up due to the steepness & number of switchbacks - but the rewards for going up are going down and I would have to say it was one of the best descents of my life - truly epic! If only I had my Giant NRS - Pisgah National Forest definitely is worth visiting again!

Highlights clearly were the many interesting descents, especially down some winding and well-exposed ridgelines that clearly would result in serious injury or death if you rode off them. One of the water crossings allowed us to make use of a two cables strung across as a high ropes element. Balancing on a wire while holding a bike and a wire just above your shoulders is definitely a workout and challenge!

Mandy using a cable crossing @ Turkey Pen Trail

My legs definitely were chewed up having no SPD pedals or cages but I survived. We experienced one navigation error due to some bad trail marking in one section and one failure of a Specialized dérailleur drop out on Tyson's bike.

All in all - an amazing afternoon of riding & exploring!