A crazy day on the river...

Last weekend when we were in Jackson to do a little river running we decided to take a day and have some river fun with the kiddies. The rapids section of the river is too crazy to take the kids down - so they always have to sit off and wait for the adults. We decided to go on a calmer section of the river on Friday and let the kids join in the action. Everything started out great. The sun was up, the river was gorgeous, everyone was in a good mood, the kids were wearing their life jackets and the raft was in good shape. So, we started down the river. Then 20 minutes later the sky started to darken. Then it started to rain a little. Then it started to blow a little. Then it got darker and the rain started to come down harder. Before we knew it we were in a full blown hailstorm and it was blowing so hard that it kept slamming our raft into the rocks. None of this would have been a huge problem for the adults but it was really freaking the kids out. Poor Avie was screaming her little head off. Thankfully I'd thought to bring an umbrella (something I've never thought to take down a river before) so I was able to keep most of the rain and hail off Ava. But then the wind blew it inside out. We ended up pulling the raft up onto some rocks and running to find cover under a tree. Our kids and Hank (almost 2) and Avery (4) huddled under the tree with Cyd while the boys tried to make a lean-to with the raft to keep more of the water off. The kids were getting pretty cold in the rain and wind and we had no idea how long the storm would last. Somewhere along the way we were hit with tons of thunder and lightening that made the situation even more interesting. Anyhow, all ended well and the storm blew over almost as fast as it came in. We hopped back in the raft and finished our trip. The kids were pretty cold, wet, and scared by that time so Hank and Ava decided that a nap was in order. The rest of us hung out and enjoyed the scenery. I wish I had pictures from the storm but I had a few other things on my mind at the time. We did, however, get some after shots. Enjoy!








Clark wasn't in the mood for smiling!



Avery was though!


We saw a Blad Eagle!


Pretty!