Brisbane, QLD


Saturday, August 13, 2011

BUFFALO BILL COUNTRY and WHITE WATER RAFTING

After Mt Rushmore we travelled west through Buffalo Bill country and then over the Bighorn Mountains to Cody. 

Our first view of snow covered mountains through the bus window.

We climbed and climbed, higher and higher. We were told to drink sports drink to avoid altitude sickness. 


We started seeing wildlife, but it was very hard to capture from a moving bus. Elk, a wolf ( too blurry to add) and.......

buffalo.

Then we followed this gorge to Cody. Where a few of us had opted to go rafting on the Shoshone River.

I was one of the mad ones to have a go. I ended up in the front because none of the others wanted to be there and I was the last one in, so there I am in the front looking like an idiot. I started getting nervous when the guide gave us the safety talk.
"Jam your feet under the side of the raft so you don't fall out."
"Grab onto the rope on the inside of the raft if you feel you are being tipped out"
"Grab onto the person next to you if they look like they are going to fall out" (Yeah, right. Look at the size of him but at least he said, "Don't worry I'll grab you."
"When you are outside the boat grab the rope on the side. If you can't reach it turn on your back and float. Keep your feet up so they don't get trapped in rocks. Try to get to the bank"
At this stage I felt like changing my mind but hey you only live once.
So off we went. We had to paddle when the guide said to, and stop when he said to, and backwards when he said to. It was gentle at first, where this photo was taken, and I thought this is a breeze. Suddenly, we were in the rapids and he yells, "Paddle." The waves splashed in my face and over my head. The raft leapt around, I jammed my feet as far under the side tube as I could, the water was in my eyes, I grabbed the centre rope with one hand and tried to paddle with the other. At last he says, "Stop". We bob down the river gently for a while and then more rapids and it happens all over again. After the first few roller coaster rides I started to enjoy it. We did this for five miles down the river. We were soaked. The force of the waves found the water going down the neck of my coat and up the bottom. Naturally, I didn't take my camera but Bill found some photos taken on the same river. Enjoy 36 sec video that Bill made. (By the way he was enjoying happy hour at the hotel while I was getting soaked rocketing down the river.

I was very proud of myself for having the guts to do this and on America's National Day too. There were fireworks in Cody that night but I was too tired to go. We had a beautiful trout meal instead.

27 comments:

  1. I loved the photos the one of the gorge is just so great I loved it and I can tell you I do not think I would be going white water rafting yeah I'm chicken shit.......lol

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  2. What a nice montage Bill had made ! I admire your courage to do such a thing, not even 10 horses could get me in such a boat. I remember Cody because Riccardo was so excited about the Cowboy stories, lol !

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  3. congrats Survivor, you are so brave.The certificate is something your grand children will be so proud of their nana.

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  4. Hi Ann,
    Bill was enjoying happy hour at the bar, he he.

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  5. Oh Diana, this is such fun to read. Never to old to experience new adventures. I don't think I had done it.

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  6. Congratulations, Diane! What a neat certificate of your bravery. That's exactly what Grant would have done while I was out risking my life in the name of adventure - having happy hour in a safe pub. Have a great weekend. Jo

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  7. What an adventurer you are! That looks so scarey! Well done you. xxx

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  8. WOW! Definitely deserve a 'Bravery Award' Diane. Well done! Beautiful scenery...

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  9. Wow, you are brave Diane! My hubby would be very proud of you, he use to be a rafting guide. Loved the photos and the wildlife sightings are always cool.

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  10. And to think I was sitting here wiping the sweat off my body on the 4th of July. Lucky! I've always wanted to do that. Holly and Jo (bloggers) and I are sortakinda planning to tube the Salt River here. But it's not like the rivers up in those parts.

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  11. Diane, you are so fun! Glad you had a good time and got to enjoy a lovely meal afterwards.

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  12. Congratulations on surviving the rafting trip. Seriously, I have been white-water rafting twice, and thoroughly enjoyed it both times. I think you found a great way to celebrate our holiday.
    I enjoyed your other pictures as well.

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  13. You are crazy, but you do know how to have fun! I'm proud of you. I would have been enjoying happy hour back at the hotel myself!

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  14. Very good video. I like the break in between the pictures.

    Greetings,
    Filip

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  15. Oh, well done, Diane! You are far, far braver than I. I would have been hiding behind Bill's chair at Happy Hour! You looked so cute up front (not at all like an idiot!) and it's great to know that you actually relaxed into the experience mentally, even if not physically, with all the bracing!

    You pictures from this whole trip have been absolutely outstanding. What a wonderful memory you'll have to enjoy when you really ARE too old to have these adventures.

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  16. Now those are a few places I'm familiar with......just never that cold white water;)

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  17. I am proud of you too!! I will have to shelter in the reflected glow, however.

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  18. We have some of the best rapids here in West Virginia and I have NEVER gone.
    You certainly are adventurous!!
    Congrats!

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  19. you are soooo brave, I can hardly stand to LOOK at it on the computer, much less ride in it. like those buffalo and am singing Buffalo bill won't you come out tonight. great photos from a moving buss

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  20. Wow Diane! That was so great - what a thrill it all must have been. You described it beautifully, and Bill did a good job showing what it was like.
    As you say, you only live once! Good on you :D)

    Loved the earlier pics too - of the mountains, buffalo etc. Great scenery.

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  21. Wow---I'm proud of you for going on that little boat... I would probably do that also (IF I were YOUNGER).. ha ha... NO---I'd probably do it --but would NOT be in the front (I hope). YOU did GREAT...

    Love the first picture also of those snow-covered mountains. There certainly are so many places to see just in the USA...George and I need to get out that way more!!!!
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  22. you are so brave. my grandson and i enjoyed looking at your pics esp. the rock carving. amazing that it will take so long. a huge undertaking. lovely photos as usual.

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  23. We stopped at Cody on our way towards Yellowstone and saw a rodeo that evening. Next time I'll go white water rafting! It looked very exciting!

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