"Enjoy Spinny"

JULIE REYNOLDS:
Dominica! The “land of 365 Rivers,” also known as the “Nature Isle of the Caribbean.” We started out this day with a bus ride, during which it’s always fun to get a taste of life in the area. It’s also a “thrill” to experience driving in the area! From island to island, it varies as to what side of the road is driven on, and what side of the vehicle the steering wheel is on . . . a little disconcerting, unless you just give up and don’t worry about any of it – and enjoy the ride. :) Ignore those vehicles that are racing by you, managing somehow not to clip off your side mirrors in the process! As we got closer, it was a little worrisome looking at the river, as it looked pretty low and dry! We wondered if the water be deep enough for what we needed.

Then we arrived at the river and were given our life vests, helmets, paddles and modified inner tubes. As it turned out, the river was just fine for our trip – deep enough to be safe and fun, but not so deep that we were in any danger if we were upended. Guides were there all along the way to help direct us away from rock protrusions at the faster “white water” spots. Enough of those to make it exciting! It was a step outside the comfort zone for this girl, but I had a blast, and I’m so glad we did it.

You had a modicum of control ...well, maybe that’s being a little generous. The paddles were really more to help us move away from rocks than to move us in any desired direction. Kristine’s husband, Pete, wore a helmet cam.  At one point, he said the film was going to be “very spinny.” As I thought more about that, I realized that’s really what this trip is. We get away from our everyday life and work, where we are always trying to maintain focus and work toward goals.  On a trip like this, it’s a chance to take each day as it comes and enjoy it moment by moment. Forget focus – enjoy “spinny.”