Can you canoe?!?!

This past weekend I was invited to go canoeing on the Queets River in Washington. Six guys, three canoes, what could go wrong?

I grew up canoeing and my counter parts are all "experienced" Search and Rescue pilots for the Coast Guard who claim to be experienced outdoorsmaen. It was the perfect combination for a good time. Little did I know, three canoes would soon be two canoes. How soon you ask? Within 20 seconds I would say... Steve and I launched and quickly ran the first set of small rapids, we eddied out and waited for the next canoe to follow our line. Within a matter of seconds they hit the first rock broad side, Marcus was launched from the canoe and Eric fell out on the current side. Within about ten seconds the current wrapped the aluminum canoe around the rock like a piece of foil around a baked potato! No one was hurt and I couldn't stop laughing! Unfortunately their day was done before it started and one canoe was sacrafised to the God's of the mighty Queets River. I am pretty sure while we finished the 20 mile trek Marcus and Smith stripped out of their wet clothes and huddled in a sleeping bag to warm up, such actions are normal ops for Officer's -especially pilots.