05-30-2015

Saturday, May 30, 2015

Weather conditions:
High – 81
Low – 64

Responses to conditions and events are a matter of perspective. Here are some examples of this from our trip…..

We encountered rapids on the first section of our trip – John viewed them as fun, while I viewed them as scary. (I have never enjoyed rapids.)

We encountered rolling one to two feet waves created by 50 mph winds – John was on a roller coaster ride, while I just knew I was going to flip.

We have encountered tow/barge traffic – John always hopes to see more, while I enjoy quiet paddling.

We have encountered many people helping us in many ways – John would rather do it himself, while I love the interaction.

We have encountered the alarm clock set for 3:00 am – John thinks that is a reasonable time, while I want to see 3:00 only once a day. (in the afternoon!)

We have encountered the subject of a pillow – John didn’t feel the need to make room for it, while I couldn’t imagine the trip without it.

Today we encountered the most recent difference in perspective. We decided it was not in our best interest to paddle today due to high winds (which translates to waves and difficult paddling) and predicted storms. (which translates to unsafe!) While we were sitting in the beach watching the tows go by, John randomly yells, “coyote”. Since John very frequently says random things, I pretty much ignored him. Then he said, “Didn’t you see him?” Pointing over his shoulder to a spot only 10 feet away from us, he said more adamantly, “He was right over there.” I was starting to believe him, while not wanting to believe him. He showed me the footprints – I was an unwilling believer. He was still talking about the coyote six hours later.

(Here’s my view on why the coyote came so close to us…. Not long before, while I was still up on hill in the tent getting changed, John was down on the beach fixing breakfast. I heard John talking. Originally, I thought he was on the phone. Then I noticed the phone was in the tent with me. Then I noticed different voices. Since I knew no one else could possibly be here, I realized he was taking to himself. I believe the coyote came down to see how may people were here. He probably started at 200 feet, couldn’t believe he saw only two of us and thought, “There has to be more of them. I could have sworn I heard more voices.” Then he came closer to see where the rest of the people were and was scared away when John yelled.)

Some of our differences in perspective have become the same. (In other words, John has seen the light.) We have encountered days off the river due to storms – John has viewed them as an interruption to our trip, while I have seen them as a gift, another day of rest. Today, we were sent running to our tent, right after a phone interview with The Commercial Review (This was our second interview with this Portland, Indiana paper. Our first interview was before we left.), because of an incoming storm. As the winds blew and the thunder rolled, John took a peaceful nap and I read. Perspective changed…..

Perspective… Some people think we are crazy for taking this trip, while others understand why we HAD to take it!

Thanks for following our adventure. For photos and videos of the events mentioned in this daily journal, check us out on Instagram @ separateboats.

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