Adventures in White Water Kayaking - Part 2

7-28-11

What better way to spend a day off work than in a kayak on the river?

This morning around 10, I joined a group from Leavenworth Mountain Sports as they did a white-water trip down the Wentachee River. We had 4 other "IK"ers (Inflatable Kayakers) and a raft group with us. Although the water wasn't as high or as fast as the last time I kayaked, there were bigger holes and higher waves since the lower water levels changed the rapids. For example, one of the first rapids, "Drunkerds Drop" was still sporting a 10 foot wall of water. (which is a killer rush to hit head-on!) I'm happy to report that this time I didn't swim at all - even Grannies Panties! Whoop Whoop!!

The guides this time around, were Dan & The Bird Man. Check out my photos:

One of the guides - Dan

Lane - A friend of mine. The first time I kayaked, his wife was with us!

The rafters

The other guide - Bird Man

Relaxing between rapids on the river

Hanging out at an eddie, watching the rafters and other kayakers surf.

 'Till next time
~Sharon

SUP at Happy Wave

July 26, 2011

On Tuesday nights, Leavenworth Mountain Sports supplies boards and gear for anyone who wants to learn SUP (Stand Up Paddle boarding). They also bring along some kayaks so you can practice your river skills. Of course, a lot of the locals turn up too, to do some surfing on Happy Wave, hang out with friends, and have a good time. (It cost just a couple of bucks, kind of a free-will-donation type of thing...)

Since I got off work at 6:30, I decided to check things out. At first, I was not real sure if I wanted to try it (it was cold outside - maybe 75 tops, plus, the water was freezing!), but, I ended up on a board, and of course, loved every minute of it! Guess you know where I'll be every Tuesday night when I'm not working!

~Sharon

Chance, a local, showing off some surfing skills!

Oh my gosh - I'm standing up!

Ok - now I'm getting the hang of this!

Yep...paddling isn't so tough

I met a new friend - Amber. She's from Minnesota too! (Should have known, as she was one of the friendliest people there.)

Practice, practice, practice....next week - Happy Wave!

A Kayaker showing off on Happy Wave

The Sound of Music

July 21, 2011

Tonight I saw "The Sound of Music" for the first time in my life! It was another of Leavenworth Summer Theater's productions. This time, it was held at the ski-hill outdoor theater.
We're not supposed to take photos during the show, but it was such a pretty setting, I couldn't help but snap a photo before the show started.
The actors and actresses did a great job - the songs all sounded so perfect, just like Julie Andrews herself! Maybe I'll have to check the movie out from the library and watch all 3 original hours worth! LOL!

~Sharon

A weekend in the Midwest

"My candle burns at both ends, it may not last the night;

but ah, my foes, and oh, my friends - it gives a lovely light."

-Edna St. Vincent Millay

July 15-18th

My crazy, wild, 5-states-in-4-days weekend started Thursday night with a red-eye flight into Sioux Falls where Dad picked me up first thing Friday morning. It was followed with breakfast at Perkins - yum! Then a bunch of little naps until we left for Iowa. (I don't remember a whole lot in there...)

On Sat. we had (in chronological order) Amanda's Bridal shower on the Kuehl side, Grandma Kuehl's Birthday, Grandpa Kuehl's Birthday and their 70th Anniversary celebration. That night, Grandma Wimmer's birthday. Phew!

Sunday was church, then Amanda's Bridal shower that I hosted for her. After that I could actually relax a bit!

Monday, we hit the road for the trip home. Mom and Dad drove me to Omaha, NE to the airport that afternoon and I headed back to Washington. They, on the other hand, were leaving for Hawaii first thing the following morning - lucky ducks!

Anyway, here are some photos from my wild weekend in the mid-west!

~Sharon
P.S. I missed the heat, but not the humidity! Really 110 degrees!! It's been in the low 80s here and 50s over night. When I got home and went to bed I was wearing flannel pj pants and a long sleeve shirt!

Cousins! Leah, Amanda & Mindy

Toilet Paper wedding dresses! One of the shower games we played for Amanda and Ashton's Joint Bridal Shower.

Ashton, with Justin, modeling our designer toilet paper wedding gown. 

Gavin! What a little cutie pie!

Dad, and uncle Kenny - taking care of grilling the burgers and hot dogs

Grandpa and Grandma, in the middle of their 4 boys and daughters-in-law. Looks like Grandma still has to keep those 4 rowdy boys in line!

Grandma & Grandpa with me and my family.

Me, my cousin Mindy and my little sister, Amanda. (or should I say younger sister, since I'm obviously the "little" one - as in SHORT!)

Table decor from the 50's/Soda Pop themed shower I threw for Amanda on Sunday.

Friends and Family at the shower.

Leavenworth Summer Theater

July 13, 2011

I just got back home from seeing the play "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" put on by the Leavenworth Summer Theater. It was an outdoor production located at the Fish Hatchery just down the road from my house. It was a great night for a play, although, cold for July! (I had a sweatshirt, coat, and jeans and could have used a blanket!)
This is one of three plays being produced this summer. The other two are "My Fair Lady" and "The Sound of Music." I have tickets to both and will hopefully get to snap a photo or two next time around.
Until later.

~Sharon

Adventures in White Water Kayaking

June 5, 2011

I have to make the most of a day off, so since I was done golfing around 1, I made plans to do some white water kayaking in the afternoon.

I was able to rent gear (wetsuit, booties, helmet, PFD) from Leavenworth Mountain Sports. Which is a FABULOUS, locally/family owned business here that really knows their stuff about any, and all, the outdoor sports there are in the area, super helpful staff, and just all-around great people. If you are ever in the area and need hooked-up with anything "outdoor" related, I highly recommend them!
That is actually how this trip came about - I checked out LMS' website and then called and talked to them about a kayaking trip and they hooked me up with Lester.

We hit the river for our first run around 4:30/5 o'clock. It was a short run with rock'n rapids that is really safe should you end up "swimming" (which I did, on multiple occasions.) The river has great conditions this summer, as it's still running at 10,000 cf/s whereas it's normally down around 5,000 by now. (or so I've been told) Which means bigger rapids/waves and fun! We ended up running the river twice, the second time around 6.
As it turns out, several other kayaking friends showed up too, and 4 of the other guys just happen to be experienced rafting guides, so I felt pretty safe!
The key to this, is always have your kayak's nose pointing to the big wave in front of you, should you take the wave to the side of the boat, you flip over. Yup - lesson learned.
It also sounds and looks a whole lot scarier than it really is - in fact, it was a wicked-awesome time!
Check out my pixs:

Susan and Lester. Susan just bought her own boat this year, and loves to run the river every chance she can get. Lester, is the poor soul who said he would watch out for me and be my "guide" on our trip. He did a great job! Kudos! (yes, I would look worried if I were in your shoes too)

Me, at the park before the adventure. I was pretty nervous - I had to take some pepto bismol to get my stomach settled before I left home. After all, this run was pretty scary in a 6-man raft and I'm about to do it in a tiny little, blow up, kayak! All by myself!

Yep - here are those kayaks - getting aired up!

Two of the other guides and Susan. Looks like my camera got a little wet. That must have been because I had just tipped over and made it back up into my kayak before taking this picture.

Lester - who managed to pull me out of the water on numerous occasions, and even had to give me a lift after I lost my boat trying to "surf" one of the waves. (which I totally didn't mean to do!)
Getting back into these boats is a lot like getting back on a tube after tubing at the lake - you are tired, sore, and it's a helluva workout! (only here you have more weight, thanks to your wetsuit and gear!)

Photo taken after swimming "Grannies Panties" (a set of rapids so named because they are big and white). Yes, I managed to flip over - again!

Here we go!

Phew - I made it out alive!

Three of the other guys who ran the river with us. (all are guides for various companies out here.)

Golf Outing

July 5, 2011.

I actually had a day off (okay, so I went to work for an hour this morning before tee-time, but that doesn't really count, right?) and went golfing with some friends.
We went to the Leavenworth Golf Club, which is right in my backyard (have I mentioned how much I LOVE living here - I am so lucky to have such a great place to call home.) so I walked over to the club house.

I met Laura, Quinn, Jason & Casey at 10, and we played 9 holes before having lunch in the club house. Despite not having golfed in 5+ years, I didn't do all that bad, and I played best ball with Quinn and Laura so I kept up. Funny, it's kind of like ridding a bike, the lessons from high school came right back to me as I was teeing off, chipping, putting, etc...

It was a great time on a beautiful course on a sunny and warm day. Can't ask for more than that!

Here are some pixs:

Laura & Quinn are such a cute couple...I couldn't resist taking this pix!

Jason & Casey (two other friends) who golfed with/behind us

~Sharon

Ohme Gardens

July 2, 2011 - Photos from Ohme Gardens:

Oh darn! It was a warm afternoon and those ponds looked so nice and cool.....

Well, this has been fun - time to get going now...... catch ya later