See that little blob in the water in front of the bluff?? That's Joe, Pat, Patrick, Allie, Emma, and Andrew on the Rainbow Mist Tour of the Falls.You know the Maid of the Mist boat ride that you take when you go to Niagra Falls? It's like that, but this is a little bitty rubber raft with some young dude with arms like tree trunks rowing the hell out of that raft to get you damn near under the falls. I call it the "Hillbilly Maid of the Mist"--but only because I could never remember the name they gave it. Whatever. Dude was rowing a raft under a waterfall--doesn't sound like something city folk would be doing, that's all I'm saying.
We all did this last year and it was crazy fun. It is both very scary and a blast. And yes, you get wet--a lot. Col and I sat this one out this year--Col was barfing back at our room and I was taking pictures for the rafters. I'm always about everyone else, can you tell?
So, they start at a calm spot down the river a bit and everyone hops in the raft. They go over safety rules like "no jumping out of the raft" and "don't drown", and then you are off. Dude starts rowing and rowing and rowing. It is freaking impressive what this 18 year old kid is doing for a summer job--he's got guns, I tell you. Freaking huge guns.
Yes, you really do get very close to the falls! The power behind the waterfall is amazing and scary at the same time. It is absolutely unbelievable how this kid could fight the force of the water to get you in so darned close. And he's not doing it for much money either--I think it was $12 a head to do this. Did I mention you get wet--a LOT.
You can see the happy rafters from the other side of the falls, where I was standing. Patrick is in the back of the raft--his cast wrapped up in like 40 lbs of plastic to keep it from getting wet. As for the rest of the group--they were soaked.And this is why I love going to this place for vacation each year--there is always something new and different for us to do. We do things in KY that we wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to do, they don't rip you off, and the people are just so darned nice. This kid couldn't have been better--getting in this side of the falls and then rowing that raft clear to the other side, all the while making sure that Patrick and his cast stayed clear of the downpour of the falls. You can see it wasn't very easy sailing.
Did I mention he had some muscular arms?
34 comments:
And I thought we had fun on vacation. Thanks for sharing yours.
Now that does sound like an experience! It must have really loud as you got close to the falls.
Oh, MAN, that looks like fun. I love the Maid of the Mist ride, but this looks even better.
Can I ask a question, tho? Did the guy rowing happen to have big muscular arms? I would think he'd have to . . .
My daughter lives west of Paducah. I think we need to try different areas of the state. This looks a whole lot better than that.
I can't get anywhere on vacation. My boss manages to take loads of time but since it is a small office I never have the "right" time to go. 6 years no vacation other than a few days I squeeze near holidays by demanding. Your trip looks so nice. Thanks for the pictures.
Wow, it's beautiful. Looks like so much fun. Sounds like you completely enjoyed your trip.
So what were that guys arms like anyway? A hardbody?
Wonderful pictures. That sounds like tons of fun!
~Jen
What a blast!
That sounds amazing. I'm glad you all get to experience that!
That looks like a ton of fun. I also would have stayed on the shore and took pictures and probably would have verbally taunted them as they went under the falls.
Are you kidding - that child LOVES his job. He gets to spend all day on that body of water in a raft. What 18 year old would not like that. And all the pretty girls talk about his muscles. Uh-huh.
The male person took guiding instruction lessons for the rivers out here and well, he looks NOTHING like that kid. But the male person is NOT in his teens and hasn't been for decades.
I am wondering the same thing JD is? Did the guide have some huge guns? I would think he would with all of that rowing, but you never know... That looks like a fun raft trip (if the guide had muscular arms).
nice tan muscular arms...
it looks like a great time!!!
So why didn't you take more pics of those guns? Even I can appreciate some good guns. lol!
Wow, looks like a fun time. That's something I'd like to do. I love all the pictures. So beautiful.
That totally looks like fun!
Vanilla--We actually do some things besides drink and laugh, believe it or not. I didn't hike, but there were some major hikes amongst the crowd that week. I only hike to the pool.
Violet--It is really scary actually--the force of the water and how loud it is. It's cool, though.
JD--Yeah, this is what I was doing instead of hanging with Tim Gunn at Blogher! Sheesh. And boy, you should have seen the arms on that young man! WOW!
Helene--Your boss sucks. Really. And the Eastern part of Kentucky is hilly and lovely. Try visiting the Cumberland Gap--OMG! Talk about beautiful!!! Wow.
Buggys--Yeah, I don't know if I mentioned that the dude was BUILT or not. He was, in case you were wondering. I should have gotten on that raft just for the view--of his muscles--not the falls!
Jen--It was very cool. We always try to do something new each year.
Chuck and Nancy--Yeah, but Col and I had to miss out on this one. We did it last year, although our rower didn't seem to get as close. Still very cool, though.
DG--Oh you can't hear a THING when you are anywhere near the falls. They are pretty big. Cumberland Falls is only one of two places in the world where you can see a Moonbow. On a full moon night, if the sky is clear and the mist is just right--there is a rainbow that comes off the falls. The only other place this happens is in Africa.
Pricilla--I can't imagine this kid doing this hour after hour 4 days a week. And the hike up and down from the top is brutal too. I didn't check out his calf muscles. Darn.
Merry--It's amazing how this kid had HUGE arms--did I mention that? I'm wondering if rowing day after day gives you big strong muscles....in your arms....you know, big guns. I think the raft dude had big guns--I didn't notice.
Stacie--Sigh. He had a nice bod. Face wasn't so great--but who's looking at that??
Lola--I have closer shots, perhaps I should post those. Hmmm.....You could see his arms really, really close up.
Michelle--I think it was hard to capture how cool it was from where I was, but Joe did take a waterproof camera with him. I have to get the film developed yet. It is beautiful country there.
That sounds and looks like fun. And why yes...he does have some "guns" doesn't he? I bet we all would if we did that day in and day out. LOL! Maybe I should add that to my workout regime. Oh wait...I don't have that in my backyard. :)
Just how cold was the water, Lin??
Anyway, it looks like a lot of fun.
I was catching up on a few of your posts and it sounds like you have been having a great Summer. All the best Lin and it's great you always enjoy life.
The Hillbilly Maid of the Mist looks like a lot of fun! Not sure if I'd like to get so close in just a rubber raft but you'd certainly be able to feel the power of the waterfall that way.
Storm--It was Hee Haw Heaven!
Sherrie--Thanks for keeping us up on the malware warning! I'll let you know when I know something. And yes, homeboy had some muscles! Wow! I need to row a bit too, to get rid of those flabby arms. :(
Veronica--The water was actually warm. It is the intense pressure from it coming down that is so darned freaky! You just don't appreciate the power of a waterfall.
Jude--Yeah, when did we lose touch?? I'll do better at commenting over by you--I've missed ya. It's hard to blog and comment in the summer, isn't it??
Beaded Tail--You can't get that close because the water pressure and the current pushes you away. I guess it is sort of built in safety--if there is such a thing.
Yeah! Cumberland Falls, KY! What a cool place...
Sherri--Hey!! I was hoping you'd check in for the stories!! I miss you!! Hope all is well by you.
So let me get this straight.. you stayed dry so you could be the photographer? Smart woman. I've only gone water rafting one in NC but it was a blast. I'm coming with you next year.
Casey--You would SOOOO fit in with this crowd! Especially when we have lemon drop martini night. It's crazy. I made the supreme sacrifice to be the photographer so that the kids could go on the raft. Some of them never did it and I went last year. I am so giving, aren't I??? Yeah, that and I had my make-up on already.
Yup, you mentioned the arms and I moved closer to my computer to see them. Why didn't I just click to enlarge? Too lazy and that would just be perverted, wouldn't it? LOL... looks like fun. I like exciting, scary adventures. Amber would so do this with me. Next time take us with you!
Loved the pictures. I could almost feel the mist!
I probably would be the one taking the pictures instead of the one in the raft!
I bet the Hillbilly version of the Maid of the Mist is more fun than the regular version. I'm still not sure I'd do it though simply because I'm probably the worst swimmer ever, and I am very aware of that. I'd be terrified! It would still be fun.
I'm so jealous!! What a great time - and your pictures came out beautifully. I'm really glad you shared - I vacationed vicariously through you. ;)
I discussed this with the male person and he got a very wistful smile on his face and said, "pretty girls?"
He also agreed it would have been a dream job when he was 18.
Men, muscles and pretty girls - it's the testosterone.
White water rafting is my all time FAVORITE vacation activity. Next year pencil me in on that Jarvis family tree...seems to me anyone can get on that tree...right Joe? ;-)
Wow, that looks like so much fun. Absolutely amazing. I wish I were there but at least I have your stories and adventures.
Good Morning! I have something for you on my blog! :)
Hope you have a great weekend and give Hobbes a big pat on the head from me! :)
Petula--It is never perverted to enlarge photos in the privacy of your own home. That is why they made the crop feature on your camera--we all do it. :) heh, heh.
Chocolate--I took the ride last year, but had no photos. This year, I took the photos, but had no ride. Sigh. Can't win them all.
Ratty--I'm a good swimmer AND I had a life vest on and I was still scared. That waterfall is extremely powerful and you can only appreciate the work this kid had to do to get us near there when you experience it. It is amazing the power. Of the waterfall, I mean. ;)
Queen--Now if only you could tan and relax through my blog too, you'd have it made!
Pricilla--I wonder what the ratio it would be for those raft rides--pretty girls vs. big fat balding guys and their wives??? Hmmm.....that would be the bummer raft ride to have to row. Ewwwww.
Jodi--You just gotta know the Head Honcho Jarvis or me. Going through me is a LOT easier to get on. Especially if I'm all boozed up on lemon drop martini's!! Hey--on another note, we are doing "Carmen" this year for marching band. Wasn't that your show last year??
Mountain Woman--Most times someone else's vacation stories are boring--but if that's all you got this year, I'll be willing to take you along. :)
A. Marie--I've done better than a pet on the head--I've given him a full blown smoochie and told him it was from you. He likes that. :)
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