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Mind Games
Amy Leppo updates from the Penobscot River's Big Eddy
(by Amy Leppo)
Many a boater have told me they still have butterflies before running the Crib Works. In my vast
experience of three runs, I cannot say I share this same sentiment. Each time I approach that top diagonal, a
feeling of clairvoyance takes over: I am utterly convinced that something really, really bad is going to
happen within the next few moments. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I come from a long
line of neurotic people or maybe it has something to do with the fact that Turkey Chute is a minefield!
Now I’m past there and I see at least six features within four feet of me that could hurt my feelings
and turn me upside down for that first ledge drop. I end up in that eddy behind Pelican Rock. Not really on
purpose, not really an accident… I just sort of found myself there. The dynamics of the eddy didn’t make
me feel that safe nor welcome. So I took off (Oh my God! I just thought of something horrible – Imagine
missing a combat roll in the Crib Works!?! – actually, let’s not play that game.)
Then Final Chute… tunnel vision took over and I made it through!
Immediately I felt enormous triumph and exhilaration. My adrenaline and endorphins were
pumping so hard I could barely contain myself. I grandly hugged the first tube of a nearby blue raft without
reservation. It felt like hitting a game-winning home run, so I hear…
And as I sobered up from my jubilation I realized… no one really cared! No one was even looking
at me! Can’t they realize the life-changing experience I’ve just had? Look at ME! I have the EYE OF THE
TIGER! I mean, come on, I just evaded CERTAIN DEATH…
Okay, maybe kayakers are a bit self-absorbed. Well, now that I have that behind me I hope I can
turn that fear into exhilaration and downgrade the death epiphany to a case of the butterflies… But what if
we do get all that big water everyone is buzzing about?
Email nick [at] noumbrella [dot] com with your questions, comments and concerns.
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