I was greatly humbled this last Sunday with a beautiful swim in the Rogue River. We were doing a short run from Carpenters Island to Argo. The very first set of rapids is where I went over, came up once, and on the second attempt my paddle was set wrong so I pulled my skirt. I tried to grab my boat but since we were in a rapid we got seperated. So I began my swim to shore.

My body temperature started dropping fast even with my dry-top and pants on so my breath was getting quicker. Luckily my good buddy Shane was there to assist me at getting to shore while Duey was retrieving my boat down stream. Once to shore I realized my shoes were in my boat. Alot of good they do me there when they are a good city block downstream. I began walking down towards my boat on the river rock barefoot. It was slow going at first. Damn those rocks were slippy and cold.

I then debated whether or not to jump in and float down to my boat but the eddy was already pulling on me so I continued to walk. Once my boat was secure Duey paddled towards me and gave me his sandles. As I was putting them on I noticed a bit of blood on the bottom of my foot. I didn't really lok because I still had a distance to go to get in my boat. Once there, my energy was gone and I was out of breath so I sat with my foot on a rock. It was then we noticed the blood running down the rock. I would rinse my foot to assess the damage and more blood kept coming. We didn't have a first-aid kit and the cut was long and 1/16" to 1/8" deep so I hiked it to Galice boat ramp to meet Shane and Duey.

The trip was then over. The next time I paddle I will not sacrafice the comfort of my feet. I will wear my booties. Today my feet feel like someone took a baseball bat to the bottom of feet. I will be back out on Wednesday.