SSAC rafting trip 2002 despite drought...
Until the last minute literally it was not sure we could do it. Because of the drought conditions, rivers in the rocky mountains were all down do puddles until August. Only the Colorado river which has a huge water-reservoir started releasing water again in September, just so our trip could take place the weekend after labour day. Dada Ragatmananda, Dada Mohankrsnananda and Dada Mokseshvarananda plus seven brothers floated down in 2 rafts for 3 days and 3 nights with intermittent short showers, but mostly sunny just so that we could see and feel the Lord's presence. Even though this is the 15th time this trip takes place every year on the same river it is never the same. To Guhan the organizer and to all of us this trip amounts to an annual pilgrimage through some of the most beautiful artwork nature has to offer on this planet.
Due to some technical problems, pictures are not yet transferable from my video-camera to the computer... Check back after some time. Thank you for your patience. Here the full story:
1.) The arrival night :
Due to the last minute arrangements and few drivers, the preparations went late into thursday night. When Guhan remembered that we forgot the guitar, he went with Jiivan to a far-away public phone and with the last pennies contacted Dennis at 2 A.M., calling collect, to tell him to bring the guitar on his way to the put-in...
After Dada Mokseshvarananda and Dada Mohankrsnananda pumped the rafts while fasting, they slept in their tent on an unusually cold night especially for Dada Mohan who just came from India...
2.) The birthday of our youngest crewmember :
The next morning we showered our blessings on the youngest crew-member who just turned 13 years old...
3.) Showers blessing our meditation
Just as we had our tents up we started meditation and at the very end it showered for 20 minutes maybe to bless us...
4.) Clouds and winds are mounting to prepare us for the crucifixion on rodeo...
The second day nobody had problems with constipation, especially me, since the suspense of the Great one, the Rodeo rapids, made everyone focussed and trying to prepare to learn to steer the raft collectively. The low river and winds are mounting bringing clouds and adding the suspense of the Rodeo... But when we are already late into the afternoon a small patch of blue sky is visible, giving us hope...And when we finally reach the Rodeo the witnessing sun shows its full appearance.
5.) The Rodeo - crucifixion at sunset:
The Rodeo prooved to be especially challenging since the water is low. So we get stuck for more than 10 minutes trying to get off the rocks. Only with ropes, getting pulled from the shore do we come off. In later reflection it amounted to some kind of crucifixion as we were literally nailed to the rocks and when we were off, we felt like in heaven...
6.) Thunderstorms test our tents:
On the most beautiful campsite, luckily without neighbors this time, we experienced thunder and lightening testing the leaks in our tents... But the reward came after it was all over with a beautiful concert by Dada Ragatmananda after dinner.
7.) The long haul to Dotsero:
The rains might have been a blessing as they added some water to the very low river. So our last leg of this trip prooved to be quite pleasant and enjoyable. Since the temperatures were not as hot as usual, the waterfight did not erupt...
Due to winds and low water our daily average paddling on the river turned out to be 1-2 hours more than usual.
This trip proved to be the smallest so far, but one of the most memorable ones. Thank you Guhan for making it happen again against all odds !- An adventure not to be missed - not to mention the stories and jokes told on the rafts - debates fought ending in laughter - washing clean our minds and hearts. We all came out refreshed, invigorated, renewed and full of energy until next year...