Trauma on the Madison River

We took the kids rafting. The river was shallow probably up to my knees but it was quick. We thought it would be a good idea to attempt to have an adventure with ten kids and five adults. An adventure is definitely what we had.



The kids were a bit bored as we were blowing up the rafts so they took a hike. Beaner and Kaiden made it all the way to the top of the hill. Where is Bud? He and Kaiden are never separated.



Oh there he is, lost in the grass lands. Are we having fun yet?



We put in the rafts and set sail. There is Cindy, Ann, and two-month-old Logan, check.



Big D and I have Livie and Bear, check.



Here is Bud, Aubrey, Kaiden and Beaner, check.



Oh, there is Whitley and Bug, check. But where is Chad and Nater?



Is that them about a 1/2 mile behind us? Yep, that's them.



You wouldn't know it, but this is where our adventure went wrong. We finally got everyone together and tied the boats, except Chad's because he's still way behind us but don't worry he catches up with us real quick.

I remembered seeing remnants of an old bridge as we were driving and I casually said, "Wouldn't it be funny if we sandwiched ourselves around the pylon?". The answer to that question is NO. We wrapped around the pylon and Bug starts yelling, "Bale, Bale". So Bud decided that now was the time to start listening to his sister and he jumped ship. At this point the water is only ankle deep but it's still fast. Bud racked his knees on the rocks but he wasn't strong enough to fight the currant to get back into the boat. Big D is at the pylon trying to untangle us so we can continue on our way and now he has to save a life that is being sucked under a raft. The terror in Bud's eyes was heart breaking. Big D picked him up and put him on my lap where he stayed cuddled in the arms of safety until we stopped at the halfway point for lunch.

We didn't think he was traumatized too bad until we took him rafting a few days later in Island Park. He couldn't relax and enjoy himself. He felt like he needed to personally tell everyone every time something was sticking out of the water. Hopefully someday he will be able to enjoy the water again.



Here we are at the halfway point eating lunch. Bud got a bit chilly after being in the water so Auntie Ann hooked him up. Needless to say more than half the kids refused to get back in the boat and continue our journey. That's okay, some of us did and it was a lot more peaceful without all the drama.