The Two Rivers Tour 2005
(AKA: Super Deb's Crew Tour)
Some people watch from the sidelines as life passes them by. Others grab organic Scottish Highland Cattle by the horns, tie on their imaginary red super hero capes and voluntarily sign up (and pay) for two ful days of death-defying spirit-testing, muscle-wrenching, blister-inducing rowing tour.
This was the Second Annual Two RIvers Tour, which became known Iat least in the minds of some) as the super Deb's Crew Tour. Why, you ask? When in the presence o fsuch greatness, when given the opportunity to back warmly in the glow of the light of the Olympic spirit that shines forth from from an athlete, a little name change is in order....
The North Star portion of the crew arrived Friday afternoon afer an exciting and exhilirating feery trip across the immense span of the Saint john River. The ferryman was in such awe of our highly-trained, enormous, Olympic-calibar muscle tone, that he simply tipped his har and wold not accept payment to cross the river. The honour was his. The osprey and bald eagles, similarycaptivated by our athletic prowess, danced overhead in the cloudless sky.
We arrived serendipitously at the cabin at Ferryland Adventures, and having passed a rigorous inspection and agreeing to abide by the list of rules, wre permitted to enter our deluxe cabin. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh..the ever of luxury. Hindsight is twenty twenty. Never again would we be able to sit in such comfort (the pain from the blisters on me arse is surpassed only by deep purle bruises that underline those same blisters).
Saturday morning saw our crew awake in gleeful anticipation of the day that lay before us. Would we measure up? Could we handle the intensity? Would we function well as a crew? had we trained enough? Were we prepared mentally? Would there be cookies?
We met Tim and Flo, tour organizers and die-hard rowers, at the boat launch on the Oromocto River. Tim immediately knew he was in the presence of greatness. similarly, Flo was in awe by our grance and strength that she inadvertently sterred the boat into a few others, which cheered up Tim.
We rowed and we rowed. and we rowed. And we rowed some more. And then some more. And then even more. Super Edna set a wonderful stroke, followed in three seat by Super Steve. Super Deb, responsible for entertainment and crew morale in two seat was kept in line by Super Mary in bow. The crew was expertly coxed by Super Flo, whose previous experience taught us not to stop for pee braks in proximity of slippery cow patties.
Super Mary soon tired and pleaded with Super flo to switch seats. We were previously unaware of Spuer Mary's leadership skills and her precision steering techiniques, as back home she is known for her introverted, shy nature, and thus not given the opportunity to cox and bow. Adveristy tends to draw forth personality traits hidden deep from normal view.Much to our surprise and delight, Super Mary was able to take us safely to shore, although she did hit bottom once or twice. Lunch was prepared, and served by Chef Super Tim who remained astonish by our athletic ability, and the definition and hugeness of Super Deb's muscles. All good things must end - after a brief sychronized swimming lesson, Super Tim herded us back into the shell for more rowing.
So we rowed some more andmore. And some more and more. And we loved it. Oh boy did we love it. We loved it so very much we came back the next day.
Sunday morning saw the North Star crew awake slightly later in the morning, with ever so slightly less spring in their step. But, their spirits were willing and after filling their bellies with fuel, they were off to the centre of town to launch the shell yet again. but not before greet the Gagetown Ferry/Ferry who greeted the crew with a dance, especially choreographed for Super Deb's Crew. It was a bitttersweet moment-we were delighted at the rare and privledged sighting of the Gagetown Ferry/Fairy, yet ever so slightly dissapointed, as there would be no river crossing, except by our own muscle power.
We launched into the colossal Saint John River and-you guessed it-rowed. Super Deb rowed like never before. Blistered hands covered in duct tape could stop the mightly spirit. Well, ok maybe a few times for bandage changes, but really, not that often considering the pain and agaony she was in. Super Flo dug deep and coxed like never before, steering us through tightly spaced bridge trusses, around powerful speed boats, luxury liners, and through wakes five to seven metres in height. Super Tim knowing how strenous day would be, had arranged asurprise lunch at a local vineyard.
We were greeted on the river by the proprietor, an experienced rower who followed us to shore in his single, and led us on a tour of his apple orchard and farm. Super Tim fed us vineyard goodies with our lunch. The deeply spirited vineyard dog, taught us how to meditate and chase shadows. So touched he was by Super Deb's crew, Levi tried desperately to swin alongside the shell upon departure. Alas, after several kilometres, Levi exhausted, turned to shore.
The afternoon row completed our two hundred kilometer journey. We arrived at the boat launch, looked wistfully out at the river, quietly wiped a few tears from our eyes. hugged and turned towards our vechiles. Greatness had been accomplished, and there was nothing more to say.
We'll be back next year, if Tim lets us.
