Entry 2: The Pickle and the Fork

No signal. No contact. Just me, Pickle, and the formidable rapids of the Middle Fork of Salmon River," There would be no computer, no cell service, just 14 days of adventure with Steve Bradley and a group of much more experienced rafters I had never met. This was to be my first time away from my kids and my wife for this long and the first time not having communication with them via FaceTime! The only thing I had was my ZOLEO 2 way satellite communicator I picked up before leaving; only simple text could be sent, but it was better than nothing and allayed my wife's fears enough to allow me to go.

As I arrived at the put in, I stared at a bunch of logs sliding down a hill into a small but feisty river with 40 boats tied to each other on the bottom; this was the put in and it was far from anything I had seen in Colorado. I got my boat secured and went to bed wondering if I had made a mistake?

But the next morning, I awoke and pushed off with only a prayer and my gear for the next couple weeks! The first rapid approached quickly, but I was ready to face this beast and really had no choice at this point, there was no way in or out for 120+ miles outside of a helicopter or plane. The water roared and churned, it looked hungry me and Pickle. Remembering how I had meticulously studied the gameplay patterns of "The Oregon Trail" in my youth, I took a moment to assess the water ahead. I tried to spot patterns, pathways, and potential pitfalls in the rushing water. Just as I had learned that the Banker had the best odds in the game, I aimed to find the best route through these rapids.

The sun shining, and 70 degree weather, I followed my crew through the first set of rapids with ease, maneuvering through Murph’s Hole and taking a 8 foot drop with Pickle underneath me. The next rapid was quite the same! I was doing this! With each fall Pickle would fill with water, but I would row and he would bail us getting ready for the next. ??Suddenly, I looked up and see someone yelling

"Ferry river right" they yelled, but by this time, I had no choice, it was me the rapids and about 10 starving boulders hungry for Pickles for lunch! ?I shipped my oars from one side to another, bouncing off rocks, spinning backwards, grinding from one side to another. I weave the rock and I WAS THROUGH!!! Or so I thought…? Pickle's bottom screamed out in pain as a rock us grabbed from under and sent the boat into the other direction, trapping Pickle and I between three massive rocks; I was completely stuck, and it didn’t look like I was getting out without help of my friends, rope and the shore!? I was in a Pickle in Pickle!

The cold rush of panic gripped me, and I felt like helpless, like a player facing the dreaded dysentery death on "The Oregon Trail". My mind raced. The possibility of rescue seemed imminent, but humiliating!? Day one and I was going to have to be rescued; this group would never invite me again. ?But then, I remembered what I had long been taught along my career…. let the data free you!? I looked down and took a bite size view. I saw the water rustling into the boat and pinning is in the rock, the front exposed to the river. I thought about air dynamics and the shape of my boat.. and then I made an intuitive yet calculated move.? I took Pickle over inflated his tubes on the side against the rock, then jumping to another tube, I began to let air out, the boat moved a bit.? I jumped back to the over inflated tube and deflated it to allow the water to now push and fold the rubber around the rock edge. Once again I jumped to the another tube and started to over inflate it in order to get water to push harder on the one side hoping it would free the boat!? I could feel the water change directions on my feet so I pushed Pickle with all my might, and miraculously freed him from the stony grasp. My heart raced as the boat glided smoothly on the water.

I floated downstream towards my crew who looked at me in astonishment!?

I explained my method of freeing myself and was blown away by the compliments, even being told by one person it was a "pro move." ?Their relief mirrored my own, and for the moment, I felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. Yet, the challenges were far from over.

As evening descended, we pulled ashore and setup camp. I took out my ZOLEO and let my family I had survived my first day.? I grabbed an adult beverage and chatted a bit, but I was tired and needed to go to bed.? I excused myself and went into my tent. ?As I laid my head down, I fell asleep quickly, spent from the days work.

I awoke the next day and grabbed my gear, eager to start the next day’s float! As I arrived Pickle reminded me no day could start without music.? In agreement I took out my phone to connect my speaker.? But my phone would not power on. To my horror, as I fell asleep, my phone had fallen out of my hands hitting my beverage and spilling it onto the floor soaking my device. Well folks, iPhones might be water proof, but they are not alcohol proof! My phone was fried. No music to keep me company during the floats, and no way to communicate with my family and kids. The weight of technological isolation settled on me, a stark contrast to my typically hyper-connected life.

Day turned into night, and night into day. I tried to forget my troubles, but fell short. Then, the once overbearing silence transformed into nature's symphony. The river's rhythm, the calls of distant wildlife, and the conversations of laughter shared with my newfound river family filled the void.

The adrenaline rush from conquering the class 4 and 5 rapids kept me sharp, it was almost surreal “So for this one you will need to take the falls into the hole and then set the front of your boat on that pillow rock. As soon as you hit the rock, ship your oar and spin backwards, then ferry right into the eddy around the cliff and you should be fine.? But don't miss the line because if you end up in the other" well lets just say you have died of dysentery!? These challenges and thrills were awesome, but the peaceful moments—those quiet instances where I could reflect and be truly present—proved equally profound.

This forced tech detox taught me something invaluable: the beauty of the present moment. It was a vast departure from my daily grind, where thoughts of work and responsibilities constantly hovered. Here, amidst the rapids, my only focus was the river and the companionship of my fellow adventurers.

As Pickle and I eased into tranquil waters on the final day, a profound sense of gratitude enveloped me. It struck me that sometimes, we must disconnect to genuinely reconnect—with the environment, with those around us, and most vitally, with our inner selves. Though I'd lost my technological tether, my bond with the world had intensified. And, surprisingly, upon returning and reconnecting with my family - aside from my wife's genuine worry from our 14-day silence - everything remained unchanged. My life hadn't collapsed in my absence; my family survived and my house still standing. ?Perhaps constant check-ins aren't always necessary; sometimes, they might even exacerbate things.

The river's lessons were clear: Embrace the present, cherish the journey, and appreciate the simple joys. The Middle Fork of Salmon River wasn't just a physical adventure; it was a profound spiritual awakening. And as I stepped onto solid ground, ready to plug back into the world, I knew that I was returning with a renewed sense of purpose, ready to face life's rapids head-on. ?I had my Pickle on the fork, and I ate it!

I jumped into my car and headed out for the 16 hour drive home! I called my Chief Fun Office and Chief Question Officer to tell them tell them about the adventure.? Although they could believe I survived without Tech, they too were ready to try and informed me my next project. Satisfied with the results, they told me that I was being promoted and that I was to be their “family program manager" for the next adventure. But Daddy, enough rafting, so there will be no Pickles involved!" So this adventure was to take place on dry land… well kind of dry! It presents its own set of challenges, joys and learning, but you will once again have to wait until my part 3, my final entry for more!