1:21pm 06-12-2008

Patty-The River Rat

Hi Kristi,
I tried to reply directly but I'm having a problem with the guestbook so I'm doing it this way instead.  I am so glad to here that someone enjoys my section of Bruce's website.  I have received a couple of e-mails but most of my guestbook posts have been from friends.  I haven't stopped paddling for good. I actually got out the past two weekends and will be updating the site soon (hopefully.) Paddling with one's boyfriend can be difficult.  I have so much respect for Bruce and his paddling abilities and find that I want/need his approval so badly that I try so hard to be perfect on the water and not screw up instead of just relaxing and having fun that I'm doomed from the start.  He can be tough on me too but that is because he wants me to get better and doesn't want me to get hurt but sometimes, although I know that, it is still hard for me to take and I feel like giving up.  I have had different people tell me not to paddle with him for these reasons but I won't listen to them.  As always where there is bad there is also good. No matter what river I am on or the skill level of who else I am paddling with, I ALWAYS feel safest with Bruce.  It just feels "right" with him there.  I know I can always count on him.  And if I wasn't on the river with Bruce, I would never get the chance to watch him paddle his canoe through the rapids or surf the waves which still amazes and thrills me.  I truely love watching him paddle and would never get the opportunity to see him do what he really loves if I weren't with him.  So I guess I'll just have to figure out how to lighten up on myself and relax.  Wish me luck! I do want to tell you that I paddle because I love to not because I want to spend time with Bruce.  Paddling can be a dangerous sport and you should only be out there if it is something you really want to be doing.  There are plenty of ways to spend time with your boyfriend.  Paddling is Bruce's life too.  Over the past year I haven't spent allot of time on the water but have managed to spend allot of time with Bruce.  I go with him on his trips.  I am a terrific shuttle bunny - I actually know some of the shuttle routes better than him! I take pictures for the website.  I hike or read. I'm just there if he needs me.  We camp most weekends.  I have gotten to see some of the most beautiful rivers and scenery around because of this.  If he is worth it, you will find a way to make it work for you.  If you really do love to paddle then don't give up.  Just keep on working at it and eventually everything will fall into place.  At least that is what I am hoping for.

Good Luck!
Patty  

4:35pm 06-11-2008

Kristi

Hello,
I really enjoyed your site. A whole bunch of what I read hit home. The fear of failure, the desire to impress, etc. I wish my boyfriend was as williing to paddle the so called easier stuff with me as yours is with you. And when he does lower himself to do something below his skill level, he can be so tuff on me if I don't have a perfect run it's so frustrating! I almost feel like giving up paddling but its the only way I'll ever get to spend any time with him, paddling is his life. I see you haven't paddled since Feb. Have you stopped? I hope not. I look forward to reading about more of your adventures soon.

3:52pm 05-07-2007

Cheryl

Patty,
I'm glad to read about how much fun that you are having by learning a new skill ! I can feel the excitement in your journal writing! I REALLY enjoyed reading about your adventures with Bruce & the others. Hope that your surgery goes well and can be done laproscopically! That would be a blessing ... so that the "River Rat" can attack the rapids again! Take care...you'll be in my prayers

8:30am 04-21-2007

Brad@Starrkmoon

Happy to see that someone was having fun.... Trapped at the shop.......    Brad at Starrkmoon   Keep it up.

11:11pm 04-12-2007

zeth zajac

Sorry Patti............Right person,wrong rapids! I meant Robins Nest not Calamity.
Sometime all the Rivers and all the rapids become one...............just the way it is suppose to be.

Replied on: 9:06am 04-13-2007

Hi Zeth - It was Calamity!  Best line and best run all year.  Hope to get a chance to do it again this year.  Hope to see you soon.

Patty

10:52pm 04-12-2007

Zeth Zajac

Hi Guys,Bruce has certainly made some great changes to this site.
I was never more proud then to watch you come blasting through Calamity last year.If you can handle that drop you can walk through everything else we have done.
Some time we r boaters,some time we r swimmers....one must go with the flow,grasshopper

5:03pm 03-26-2007

Andy

Nice addition to Eastern Paddling.  I was with you on the Paw Paw Bends section of the Potomac in 2005, your first trip.  Enjoyed reading your accounts of paddling since then.  I remember way back when Bruce had just started paddling with me.  He had just bought his teton and I had piloted us down lower smokehole.  He started talking about getting a playboat and I told him that once he did, his paddling days with me were numbered.  Of course he said they weren't, but now he knows how prophetic those words actually were.   Let me know if you guys want to do any canoe camping (class I-II).  Nick and I are planning a trip down lower smokehole for early May.  Take Care.  ANDY.

Replied on: 9:08am 03-27-2007

Hi Andy,
I'm glad you like my section.  I'm having a blast paddling but kinda lost my nerve towards the end of last year.  I need to work on building my confidence a lot!  I'm hoping to get the opportunity to do that this weekend on the Elk if there is enough water.  Bruce has told me alot about Lower Smokehole and how beautiful it is.  Let us know the dates for May.  We might be interested.  Hope to see you soon.  Patty

8:46pm 03-18-2007

The River Rat

Hello to all visitors from the River Rat. All coments welcome.

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