To read part nine of day six, click here.

I waded into the water, heading for our canoe which was at the end of the line. Bobby came and put a hand on my shoulder.

“You’re going to be fine, Brett.”

I smiled at him. “Thanks, Bobby.” I guess the look on my face told him I didn’t believe him, because he started talking again.

“I’m not kidding. You, Bruce and the instructors are the only ones that haven’t flipped yet. You’re doing great.”

He got called by Jordan then, so he headed back to his canoe. I finished walking to my canoe and grabbed my water bottle to take a big drink. I couldn’t get into the canoe until Bruce was there to hold it – I was to short to get into it without climbing over the side. If it was resting on the ground I could do it, but when the bottom of it was over my knees, I needed some help. 🙂

Bruce walked over and held the canoe so I could climb into it. It was a very awkward process, but I managed to make it in the canoe without hurting myself.

We headed off and the next rapids came into sight shortly, after we went around a bend in the river. By now, we knew the drill. When the rapids came into sight Glenn or Patrick would give us instructions, including how far apart to stay. Then we would separate, making sure that everyone was as far apart as they needed to be.

Bruce and I were usually one of the first, if not the first canoe after Glenn or Patrick. I don’t know why it worked out that way, but it did. Sometimes Luke and Sarah Margaret would go in front of us, but most of the time it was me and Bruce.

I have a feeling they did that on purpose. They all did everything they could to help me on the river, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they sent me through each of the rapids first so that I could get that one over with, and I wouldn’t have to see them all flipping in front of me.

On one of the rapids we did after lunch, a couple of people got stuck or flipped. Glenn told those of us who had made it through to go to a little eddy that was next to the bank and wait there.

There were two or three canoes with us, so we all paddled over and waited there. We grabbed vines from the edge and grabbed each others gunwales. As canoes started coming from the rapids, they joined us.

Everyone had gotten out of the rapids, and we all gathered in the shade of the eddy. People were taking drinks, we were talking and laughing, and pretty much just taking a break.

Taking our break.

The peacefulness ended when one of the girls shrieked.

“THERE’S A SNAKE!!!”

There was a moment of general confusion, and she shrieked again.

“IT’S ALMOST IN MY CANOE!!!!”

Click here to read the next part of Day Six.

*Everything here is from my own memory and may not be correct. Outward Bound is not responsible for anything I post here. Thanks too NCOBS for letting me use their photos.*