Not all fun rafting days are on the rapids

Walter Johnson in BATUSA (batusa@arn.net)
Tue, 02 Sep 1997 16:11:26 -0500


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-- 
How y'all are?
	Sunday, the day prior to Labor Day, we were at Ute Lake, Logan, 
New Mexico, attending a bar-b-que with about 50 folks from Dalhart, 
Texas, at an annual event they hold.  Jet skis and ski boats were 
prevalent.  We brought our 14x7sb.  There were 6-8 'rug rats' from 6-11 
years of age that were enthralled with the raft (after the leaf blower 
inflated it; they did not have much interest in the slack rag bag).  
We'd take 4-5 at a time--all paddle.  "Did they all have life jackets?" 
you ask.  Wash your mouth(s) out with soap for even thinking such a 
thing.
	We'd get everyone paddling on the same wave length; doing 
various movements.  "Port around", "starb'rd around" pivots, 
"'Moan back", "All forward".  Using the KISS (Keep it simple stupid) 
vernacular.  Then there'd be the command, "Rattlesnake in the boat!" and 
all the 'crew' would 'abandon ship' among peels of laughter.  I'd use 
our 'bagged throw lines' to retrieve the lost crew.  All the kids 
enjoyed going 'on the raft' even if it was only in the 'wake waves' of 
jet skis and ski boats.
	Just because there are no Class IVs around, don't leave your 
raft at home, give it a day when 'rock rash' is not expected.
	After lunch (while we were watching the Cowboys demolish 
Pittsburg), my cousin (has a ranch west of Dalhart) commented to Bette 
(my wife): "You know the difference between those three bobbing for 
apples over there?  One of them is 6'6" and the 2  6 year olds are 3 
feet shorter than he is."  Heck, I like apples.  Sticks and stones.  I 
could not get too mad at him.  He let us put his new 900 Kawasak through 
its paces--and it'll 'flat git'!
	I know this does not have a twit to do with GCboaters, and if 
you don't use it, I could care less.  Just thought I'd lay it on you.
	 
Y'all be hang'n tough 'til the fat lady sings,
                              (#1 Finest Kind)
Walter Johnson in BATUSA (BeautifulAmarilloTexasUSA)
Rotary--Amarillo High--Texas Tech--Cowboys---Yankees
USS CURRITUCK(AV7)--USS EVERGLADES(AD24)--ASSN TORP MATES
11TH REUNION SAN DIEGO SEPT 24-28,'97 ('98 Charleston SC)
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