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A
nother day begins.
I'm making my way to work on a beautiful summer morning without a cloud in sight. Traffic is relatively light considering the time of day and weather conditions. My camera is stowed securely in a watertight box just below the spray guard on my kayak, and as I approach the first set of waves at the top of the class five Cribworks Rapid, I begin to collect myself and focus on my line through the turgid waters. Dropping into the main current I careen past boulders that rival Greyhound buses in size and withg spray flying in my face I cut sharply into an eddy behind a particularly large boulder known as Pillow Rock.
Plowing back onto "The Highway", I weave my way through a bit more rough water before sliding down' into "The Final Chute." As I descend, I aim for a ramp-shaped rock with water sheeting over it cre- ating a rooster taili I'm launched off the kicker fully into the air before slamming back down into the boiling water. After a few seconds of complete submersion I explode back up into the sunlight and soon step out of my company vehicle onto an island. I've arrived at my office.
This is one of the many paths through thejungle of life that a person may choose. It is the individual's past experience and childhood encounters that influence which route they decide to take into the future. These events also determiine how long they follow their path; if the person is unmotivated, it is unlikely that they will ever reach their goals. I feel that the environment in which you grow up shapes your life by instilling a set of beliefs and values that give you character, which is exhibited by the choices you make. Will the end of your road be what is expected? Or does the road just go on for all of our lives with no conclusion? My chlldhood was about as different as possible from most kids. I didll t grow up m a house with electricity, running water, tele vision and video games all year round. Actually, I don't live in a house at all during summers; since I was born my days have been spent along the banks of the Penobscot River in northern Maine. Both of my parents are whitewater photographers during the summer and take pictures of rafting ting trips to sell to the customers. Our home is a campsite right on the water, where we sleep in tents for three months out of the year.
There are many luxuries that I enjoy on the Penobscot that others take for granted, or just fail to recognize. For instance, most people are unable to fall asleep to the quiet rumble of a river every night, then wake up and smell pine trees mixed with the pleasant scent of wood smoke from the previous night's fire. Then there is the scenery; Mount Katahdin watches us from downstream in Baxter State Park, while the river cuts through ninety-foot cliff walls creating Ripogenous Gorge just upstream, with sunsets over Ripogenous Lake that are awe-inspiring to say the least.
As far as recreation goes, I have essentially been raised in a kayak, which really helped me become a better athlete and overcome fear. Instead of playing baseball with friends like most kids, I paddle class five whitewater for work or to pass the time. I work taking still photos of all the raft companies for my parents four days a week; the other three I shoot the videos for New England Outdoor Center, a rafting outfitter. So I am on the water all day every day during the summer, which leads me to question what miracle has prevented me from becoming waterlogged each summer. In addition to paddling, I do quite a bit of fishing, rock climbing, and reading. I go through a huge. quantity of books every summer on the river while waiting for rafts or at night in bed since there is no electricity and therefore no television or music. I wouldn't trade this lifestyle for the world though; I love everything about the river and it's surroundings, from the stars dotting the open sky at night to the mist that sleeps on the river until just after dawn.
There are also the people that make this place truly special; I have so many role models who I met on the river, friends of my parents mostly, who have taught me so much. I learned to work hard for what I want and treat others the way I would like to be treated, to try to be generous, patient, and understanding, independent and honest, but most importantly, to be myself, not what others want me to be. These are the values that have guided me on a course through my jungle.
Growing up away from other kids my age has had two major effects on me; I gained more independence, responsibility, and focused on my future quicker, but I missed out on some of the social experiences that come with being with other children rather then growing up with adults. I do not regret this however, because I gained many abilities from my added interaction with adults, such as public speaking skills and self-confidence. These skills helped me to make friendships in high school, get involved in activities both at school and in the community, and work well with others by learning to compromise as well as incorporate everyone in a group to reach a goal.
As far as my personal goals for the future, I will begin studying civil engineering in college, and then follow that up with some traveling to learn about different cultures and explore possible career options for newly graduated engineers. I would also like to get involved in some intramural sports in college such as soccer, hockey, or basketball. Other then these few points of reference, I am looking forward to discovering my way as the challenges and opportunities arise.
In one way or another, everything that has happened to me in the past has affected my decisions and influenced the routes that I have chosen or will choose in the future. It has taught me lessons, skills, and given me an individuality that helps me to achieve my goals in life. My past continues to map out a trail that will determine my future, but I do not believe that the road will ever end, and I am grateful for that.
Email nick [at] noumbrella [dot] com with your questions, comments and concerns.
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