Rafting is risky for someone who cannot use their legs to repel off rocks in case of a tipout, but High Country Expeditions, in association with All Oregon River Company (thanks, Justin!) was willing and able to take on the challenge! HCE owner Georg Adelt contracted senior guide Robbie (didn't get his last name) - grew up in McKenzie Bridge, has been guiding all his life and his father was a guide, is trained in swift water rescue - to safely oar Paul, his son Steven, and me on a 3-hour float through the busy lower McKenzie River's class II rapids.
Then Georg gives Paul a special safety talk:
Steven is 13....
Ready for put in!
Paul said his favorite part was when he "accidentally" water gunned me in the head!
As Tom Hanks said to his crew in Apollo 13,
"And that, gentlemen, is the way we do that!"
updated 8/6/03