Welcome Back Warriors:
"Dynamic Duo Inspired Journey," back this week, sharing another adventure, our trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains. It's Sidney's Birthday weekend, the first of August, so we decided to tap back into our bucket list and conquer several items right off of our list. First, staying in a Cabin in the Mountains, second, whitewater rafting and, last, horseback riding. Yes, Warriors, we did a triple bucket list dunk. LoLLoL. Happy! Happy! Birthday! Sidney! 🎈🎈🎈
So, Warriors, come on and go with us to these beautiful mountains. There is so much you can do, such as: Helicopter Tours, Hiking, Horsebacking Riding, Kayaking/Canoeing, Paddle Boards, River Tubing, Whitewater Rafting, Zip Line Canopy Tours, Dining, Cabins and Lodging, and so much more. Well Warriors, here we go with a little excitement for you.😜
Jackie, the Groupon Guru, found an awesome deal to go to the "Whiterwater Express Ocoee River Camp." This package included a two night cabin stay, horseback riding and whitewater rafting. Both of us were too excited! These adventures were totally going to be new for Sidney. Well y'all, Jackie had experienced staying in a Cabin in the Mountains and horseback riding, before. However, with this being Sid's born day, she was too happy to share these new moments with him. Plus, this was a first-time for whitewater rafting for the non-swimmer (Jackie). Lol. What's so funny Warriors, we were really nervous about this whitewater rafting adventure. Jackie was all on the internet googling to see how dangerous it was and if and/or how many people died doing this rafting thing. Regardless of her findings, we still packed it up and headed out on a Friday afternoon, making those 2 - 2 1/2 hours trek to Blue Ridge, the home of the Ocoee River. It is really cool to drive there from the Northern Atlanta region. At one point along the way, we were in three states at one time, Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina.
Just to give you a brief history of this area...These Mountains form the eastern front of the Appalachian Mountains in Southeastern United States. It was amazing as we drove climbing our way into those great Mountains (beautiful scenes for pictures), experiencing that great ear effect of ear popping (LoL) and, yes, a little light-headed stuffiness.
While there at Whitewater Express Ocoee River Camp, we learned that they actually hosted some of the Olympians, from United States, Britain and France. Also, the Olympic Committee chose them to oversee Canoe and Kayaking for the 1996 Olympic Games. How cool was that, Warriors! So, as you can see, this area isn't any joke; it is one of the country's premier river outfitters. In fact, they have guided over one million people since 1980 and over 1000 youth groups through high adventure each year (Wikipedia).
We arrived, checked in, and then scooted back into the car to go see our Cabin. It was a small Cabin with a bedroom and bathroom; absolutely magical and rustically beautiful. We were pleased with it. It was very nice; made out of all oak logs inside and out. We laughed, saying to each other, this is what you call a "Real Cabin," the real deal! Lol. We looked at our itinerary for Saturday, a full-fun-filled day, which included, horseback riding at 9am and whitewater rafting at 4pm. We tell you, Warriors, adventuring also calls for us to be in good physical shape! LOL. So, we got up that next morning and hit the floor to do our stretching. We had to be physically ready for that hour ride on the horses.
We‘ll tell y'all, Jackie, thought she was a serious cowgirl or equestrian. She had all of her gear, her jean outfit and her black equestrian boots. Lol. Sidney was like, ”Baby, are you a real professional rider or what!“ Jackie hit him with, "Well Sid, I’ll have you know I have gone horseback riding so many times before, I just might consider becoming a professional rider." 😂
We barely got there on time at the stable, as they were just calling our names as we arrived. They welcomed us to start petting the horses to get acquainted with them. The horses were beautiful and intelligent. There we are walking around dodging horse poop, trying to see who is going to ride which horse; while the stable workers saddled up each horse. We get our helmets on and the horse guide leader selects a horse for each of us; about a total of 10-12 people. She gives us instructions on how to direct our horses; demonstrating by showing us to pull the reins in the direction we want them to go. Also, how to either use our feet or reins to get them to go and/or stop.
Here we go, guess who is right behind the leader, Jackie then Sidney. We are ready to ride them up cowboys! 😱 What an amazing adventure to start our day off. We felt as though we were becoming one with nature out there on those scenic mountain trails. The trail took us through the camp grounds up and down hill; off of a beaten pathway. A few times, we thought we were going to fall off our horses or the horses were going to fall over. The horses were trampling through areas that were really muddy and slippery. It had been raining the night before, so the trails were a little challenging for the horses. We held on tight and stayed in prayer. It was a thrill and a very peacefully adventure. Yes, Jackie got her boy, Sidney, to ride a horse! 🏇🏿
Okay, so now we get to this creek, Sidney's horse wouldn't obey him, "Him was thirsty," and when Sidney pulled the reins for him to move and tapped him with his foot, the horse ignored him. It was soooooo.......funny, 😂😂😂we all had to wait on him to finally get back in line on the trail. The instructor told us to only let them drink for a couple minutes, not ten or fifteen. Lol. Sidney loved his first experience riding a horse and Jackie was soooooooo......happy to share this experience with him. Check! Check! Off of our bucket-list.🤗🤗🤗
We had a little time before our next adventure, so we hopped in the car to sight-see a little and get some breakfast. Oh no! Jackie sees one of her favorite stores TJMaxx, so we stop and shop a while. OK, it's time to head back and enjoy our Cabin, just for a little bit.
The Adventurous Dynamic Duo chillaxed before we headed to our next adventure. The Cabin didn’t have cable, so we brought DVD movies from home to watch while here. This was really relaxing to have time to chill and watch a few movies for a change.
Four o'clock was approaching, and we decided to get over to the Whitewater equipment shed a little after 3pm, to get geared up for the main attraction. LoL. We get there and get in line to grab our gear: life jacket, paddle, and helmet. Warriors, we are quiet now, because we are both thinking, "What have we gotten ourselves into?"😳 We all put on our gear, then the instructor comes out to give us safety instructions. Okay y'all, now it’s time to head to the bus and take the Classic ride to the river. We are about to hit the water after 3pm. The dam had been released, and the water is high at a rapids class of IV to V.
We get to the Whitewater Rafting location and Wow! It looks really scary! We see the markers in the River from when the Olympics were held there. We are thinking, "Are we really going to do this?" 🤷🏽♀️🤷🏽♂️ But, we are quiet and do not share our feelings with each other. The bus stops at our destination, we get off the bus and our instructors/leaders, arrives with the Rafts. Jackie looks at the Raft, now realizing, there are NO seat belts or anything to hold onto to stay in the Raft. Fear is really trying to creep in, or should we say, it was already ALL inside of us. LOL.
All six of our team, now, meets our instructor and he has us pick up our Raft and position it near the water. While still on the shore, he has us get in the Raft and he gives us instructions; so we practice with his commands on how to use the paddles and hit the floor, for the ride. Jackie proceeds to yell out to the instructor, "I just want you to know I can't swim." The instructor, doesn't really pay much attention to her comments, but later tells her, she will be fine.
Now, we are ready to enter into the River, we get in line. We have now approached the entrance and the water is rushing............we have to stand in the River holding the Raft, so each person could get in. We are now in the Raft, heading down the roaring rapids, surfing them for the next 3 - 3 1/2 hours for a 5 mile trip. Wikipedia describes this Rapid as: "The Middle Ocoee Trip which is on a 5 mile stretch of river that takes you through such rapids as Grumpy's, Broken Nose, Diamond Splitter and Table Saw. This is a very popular trip and offers fun and excitement for everyone."
The instructor proceeds to yell out to us, “Paddle one forward," "Paddle three forward," "Paddle two backwards," Hit the deck with paddles up, we are in a serious rapid." We all hit the raft's floor! What a way to master the waters! We kept going; starting the process all over again, again and again, until we conquered the entire 5 miles. We were all so amazed that we declined a 200 feet elevation during the trip. All Sidney and Jackie could say at the end of the ride, "Oh, What a Wonder!"😍😎
We can truly tell you, this was the most fun we have truly ever experienced. So much fun and very exhilarating. We got this rushing adrenaline feeling like never before. Our trip took us through the beautiful Ocoee River gorge, surrounded by sheer cliffs and picturesque wildlife. Sidney, fell out of the Raft into the River twice, but he had a ball. Now, that Jackie, she stayed on the Raft the entire time. She even joked later, saying, "The Raft could have turned upside down and back and she would have still been inside of it." Lol. She learned how to lean in or out, moving up or down, and hitting the raft's floor when needed; keeping herself, securely, in that Raft. LOL.
On the bus ride back we were all tired, but were laughing with each other, talking about how we would all do it again. Sidney, whispered to Jackie, "Baby, when we got to the River, I was waiting for you to say you weren't going and I was going to say, okay, we don't have to. But, now I'm glad you were brave and didn't say anything, we would have missed out on the time of a life time." This was just a, "But God Moment."🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
A few Adventure tips:
1. Get in shape for the adventure, it can be a workout.
2. Get the best deals for your trip, again use Groupon.
3. Get out of your comfort zone and enjoy life.
4. Learn how to swim if you can't, but do not let it stop you from adventuring.
5. Let go and let God with all of your Adventures.
Well! Well! Warriors! We pray 🙏🏾 you enjoyed going to the Mountains and adventuring with the Adventurous Dynamic Duo. The book, "More of You God," on page 241 reads, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, today, as well as, every day, You are all I need. You are my motivation for my life to thrive. I know, as long as I have You in the forefront of my life, I have the victory in every situation and condition, coming my way. No weapon formed against me will prosper."
Okay now, Warriors, let's make every day a Great Day! As you can see, we are constantly facing our fears and pushing our boundaries. Strive to live your best life and get a Holy Ghost boldness. Remember, God will be with us in everything. He has our front, our back, and our sides. Just Trust HIM!
It's time to have Fun! Fun! Fun!👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Meet us back here next week. Don’t forget to join, sign in with your email and this code ZEJFNW.
We love you!🧡💛❤️💛💙💜🖤
Your Adventurous Dynamic Duo
Jackie & Sidney
To Purchase the book “More of You God,” click on the link:
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