Straight Talk

Some traditional meanings of Straight:
--unmixed, undiluted (reference to alcohol, or other substances, without qualification, unmodified.

--Without a bend or curve, evenly formed or set, not crooked.

Some slang:
-- term used to determine level of understanding, agreement, or otherwise mutual understanding and agreement.

-- term used to describe a manner of frank communication.

We will see many more as they all come into play on this December day.

It's straight up cold. The water is in the low 40's. I'm the only one in a dry suit so if anyone swims it's me else it's me helping someone. If the other 2 dump it, They will not have must time to get to shore and get a fire and get dry so we all keep a tight handle on the risks. Joe, the FNG of paddling is the real threat. Paddling is not difficult but we've all made a dumb move and went swimming. This is NOT allowed today. Joe hasn't had many swimming lessons so I worry about his paddling skills. I'm being Straight with you, it's serious to play in these temps on water.

It's an easy float without large rapids so we, although exposed to the elements, are not in jeopardy of flipping over. I mean with a name like the Straight River, it couldn't have too many bends, it can't lie to us, and it's undiluted. I mean as in pure river, no tricks.

This is not expected to be a long day. The basic plan is like a blind date. Keep it short, Have an exit plan, Eat and get out without too much trouble. Oh, and try and have some fun.

I think is was close to 2 hours in when we get to thinking about food. It threatens rain but it only just mists a tiny bit. Little wind but some. We are exposed but the rocks make landing easy and keeps our feet dry. Normal river exit is thick wet clay.

We all bust out the cook sets and get about making our lunch. We have time but it's December, it gets dark early and we still have a lot of river miles to go. You never know how it's going to go so you store daylight like a bank account and take withdraws in emergencies. Over draw the bank and your in trouble. Navigating a river, in winter, at night without lights. You think about how that ends? 

Josh and I finish lunch and are starting to pack up and Joe pulls out a second lunch and starts cooking again! Josh and I make eye contact. Kind of a question to the other, is he starting lunch over? We need to get paddling.... It turns out he is. We allow it but encourage him to move swiftly, eat and get packed up. We need to keep the daylight in the bank. 

Back on the water we do some mapping and planning and figure out our exit time and paddle just enough to exit on time. I believe it was close to 3pm. That gives us about 90 minutes to shuttle back to the start and load boats.

As it ended, the day was very Straight forward, no spills, no drama. Everyone enjoyed the day and paddling in winter makes better scenery with the snow on shore. I was pleased that everyone stayed dry. I don't often worry about much but ice water is my thing. I love it, but mess up a fundamental and you get 60 seconds to use your fingers before they are wood. The simplest things become impossible and the scary things start showing up to eat you. The Langoliers of life.