FLAT ROCK RUN

Several summers ago the Randolph side of the family decided to float the Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam in Utah. We all met in Salt Lake City for our grand adventure. Even Grammy and Grandad joined us for the great escape. We drove up to the Dam with all the crew and had a great evening anticipating our trip in the morning.

We awoke, ate breakfast and were on our way. We all pulled on our life jackets and boarded the rafts. It was so gorgeous. The ice cold water from the spring snow melt. The trout swimming in abundance. The trees along the shore. Breathtaking.

Scott asked Jeff if he would like to try a flat rock run. He proceeded to explain what it was and Jeff, being the boy that he was, said he was up to the challenge.

We looked for the perfect rock for the performance. We found it and set up our strategy. Scott would guide the raft into the rock, Jeff would jump out as the raft turned around the rock, he would run up and launch himself back into the raft. The timing had to be perfect.

As we got closer, Jeff was preparing himself for the challenge. The raft hit the rock perfectly and Jeff was out and running up the rock. Everything was working just as we planned. The raft turned and Scott yelled "Jump". Jeff froze. "Jump" Scott said again. We were around the rock and floating further down the river. "JUMP" . . . and he did right into the freezing cold water. He was swimming towards the raft at this point and Addison is starting to freak out. He gets within her arms reach, and I kid you not, she reaches out with one hand grabs his life jacket and pulls him into the boat. That little twig of a girl had super powers for that instant.

It was silent for a minute. And then we all burst into laughter. Our whole raft was laughing so hard we were crying. We had another story to tell.

We're Roderick's. That's what we do.