Scariest Day of my life!!! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

celstu1 · 08-03-2009, 05:45 AM

Hi all! I'm fine now, but Saturday I had what I think was the scariest 10 mins of my life.

My bf, me, his 2 kids (13 & 15), my friend, her daughter (9) and her niece (17) all went tubing on a river. It was over 2 hours away from where we live and it was a beautiful day. We got the tubes and went to find the river. We had to stop and ask directions because the GPS stopped working because we were not on roads it knew. The place we stopped said they were not renting tubes because the river is treacherous that day.

But we found the campground, we made sandwiches and were watching people going down. The river was high and moving rapidly. However there were people going down on tubes making it look so easy. We watching probably 20+ people go down before we decided to tie our tubes together and brave it! 7 of us, 7 tubes, no problem, right?

ahhhhh no..... 5 mins into it, we hit a small rapid, I was last in line and my tube flipped. The water was going soooo fast that I could not get back above water .... my BFs son got me back up somehow, I lost my $120 sunglasses and my flip flops! (watched them float down river gggrrrr) I was sooooooooo scared!!! I am not a small or weak person and that water swept my feet out and I couldn't get back up because it was pulling me under and your strength goes so quickly, you tire out so fast you don't even realize it. I can't imagine what might have happened if his son was not as strong as he is. So I get back in the tube, but before I could get my legs up we hit trees in the middle of the river, with 7 people tied together 3 went one way and 4 went the other way. We got caught and we were getting poked with branches, scratched to pieces and with the water moving so quickly we could not get untangled too easily. By that point I wanted OFF. I yelled to bf that I was DONE and I think everyone was done, then I saw another rapid ahead that I was going to hit and my mind flashed to how scared I was on the last one. I almost panicked but held it together since we could not get to the bank on time to not hit that one. We hit it, but I held on this time. We finally got to the bank and after a huge struggle and hanging onto rocks, tree branches for dear life (my arms today feel like they are going to fall off) we managed to get everyone off onto the shore.

We got the tubes out too (amazingly) and we had to walk back to the campground (maybe 1/2 a mile) with no shoes on, everyone was bleeding from one place or another. I think BF broke his big toe or he really hurt it, its all bruised black all around it.

Thankfully everyone was ok, just a little worse for wear, tired, sore and scared out of their minds. It was a long quiet 2.5 hour ride home. When we dropped off the tubes my friend told the guy how bad it was out there and he said that there were 5 river rescues in the last 2 days, one girl broke her arm, 2 more were rushed to the hospital, and when we were driving we saw a fire boat rescue truck followed by an ambulance heading up that way and then 2 state troopers going the same way.

I have tubed this river before, it was beautiful... it should have been a perfect day for us and the kids to tube. They are all scared to go back now. I showed them pics online of how the river usually is but with all the rain we've had its just so high and when they release the dam its too fast. I hope they will go back again though, we'll just know now to call ahead to ask how the river is first before we take the 2.5hour drive.

sandyapk · 08-03-2009, 05:52 AM

OMG kiss the ground and Praise the Lord you are okay!!

Just reading your story scared me. I am so glad you and your family are okay. It is weird how one week the river is fine, the next trip it is killer!

I say take the loss of your glasses and count yourself lucky no one was seriously hurt. (it is a bummer to loose expensive things!)

Happy your not to badly banged up. Hope that toe is better soon. Man oh man! Poor you.

crystalsmom · 08-03-2009, 06:10 AM

OMG, I am so glad you all are ok, what a scare that must have been.

This reminds me of a ski trip my son took with four of his buddies to Vermont when they were in senior year. Conditions were not right for skiing while they were there but on the last day they decided to try. My son was on ski patrol here at Brandywine and knew better and yes he broke his leg.

You learn a big lesson from things like this when you think it can never happen to me.

starr728 · 08-03-2009, 06:21 AM

Whew...I have chills after reading this! Praise God He saw you all saftely through this, He was definatley there taking care of you all. It is very scary how quickly you can get caught up in a current or tide before you even realize it. Glad you are all safe and sending prayers for a quick healing of all your all's nicks and bruises. Take care!

abby2473 · 08-03-2009, 07:03 AM

OMG how scary!!! I'm glad you are alright and that everyone made it back OK!!

Now that I've read your story I don't think I would ever want to even try it...I'm such a big baby!

I don't like scrapes and bruises!

Patti · 08-03-2009, 07:12 AM

OMG how scary. So glad you were all ok.

KimberlySRN · 08-03-2009, 07:36 AM

Oh my goodness... I'm so glad everyone was okay

FlDebra · 08-03-2009, 07:42 AM

Thank God you all made it through that okay! I know how frightening the river can get. It is a changing beast for sure -- so gentle and relaxing one time, and then a panic-filled danger the next. I can imagine how scary that had to be on tubes! Your narration was vivid and had me clinching along side you on that ride!

I haven't had a scare like that on tubes but did with a canoe. I flipped it and had my young son with us. At first I could not find him. I was so panicked myself when I ralized he was under the overturned canoe, that I grabbed him by one arm and jerked him to the surface, scraping his ear on the side of the canoe. His only injury was the scrape I gave him! He had not been scared until I did that as there was air under the canoe and he had put his face up to it and was breathing fine, until I ripped him through the water. So mom's panic was the real danger of our day! From then on, I was only allowed on the tubes (no more canoes) and only when the water was absolutely placid. I don't think he has been in a canoe since (and that was like 10 years ago!)

ARCHIE · 08-03-2009, 07:46 AM

You had every right to be scared! That tubing excursion sounded like
the trip from hell. It's amazing you are all alright. OMG it could have
been so oppisite. I don't blame the kids for not wanting to go back.
That must have been the worst experience of their lives.
If your BF only got a broken toe he can count his blessings.
Sorry it turned out that way expecally when you have had a good
experience in the past. I would find another way to enjoy a vacation
if I were you. Your story was like reading Seven King novel!
Scary,

charly · 08-03-2009, 08:30 AM

Its scarey in a boat with water being chopping

So l can imagine how scared and helpless you felt. Great to hear you all were not hurt.

4doggiemama · 08-03-2009, 08:59 AM

Glad you are still around to tell us your story. I grew up around rivers that grew terrifying when it became high from rains. Grateful that you and your family are safe and at home. ~Joanne~

celstu1 · 08-03-2009, 10:20 AM

Wow FLDebra, I think EVERY mother would have done what you did! You didn't know.

In my case I was already nervous after I fell off and before I could even get my legs back up over the top of the tube, we hit trees in the middle of the river. These trees used to be on the banks. Once we got out of those and I saw the next small rapid I was DONE. I was soooo scared! ugh ugh ugh.... I never want to do that again. I will totally tube again but only if I know that the river is safe is slow moving!

I have a huge scrape on the back of my leg right where my knee bends! I can feel it everytime I bend down or sit down.

LDandPasquale · 08-03-2009, 10:26 AM

As of this morning...there was a girl missing from this weekend on a river in western Massachusetts. If thats where you went..be glad you're alive. I dont think they found her yet.

celstu1 · 08-03-2009, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LDandPasquale

As of this morning...there was a girl missing from this weekend on a river in western Massachusetts. If thats where you went..be glad you're alive. I dont think they found her yet.

do you remember the name of the river?

I would not be surprised if it were this river, it was crazy! This river is swim/tube/canoe at your own risk, it's a public river and noone is there to shut it down. The place we rented the tubes from said there were already 5 river rescues the past 2 days.

I know now we were stupid to try it. It was such a FAR drive and we paid $140 to rent the tubes and there were other people there in the river doing it and making it look so easy and fun! We thought tying ourselves together would help but I think that hurt us, we got tangled in the trees when we probably would not have if we went down in 2s.

I pray they find the girl safe.

suzieqnova · 08-03-2009, 10:43 AM

I know that fear of being sucked under the rapids. I went on a rapid trip with some friends in college. Needless to say, I have no upper body strength and when my paddle got stuck between some rocks I thought I could unwedge it by pulling. Big mistake, the suction from us surfing the rapid took me out of the boat and under. All along I held on to the dang paddle instead of letting go. Luckily my friend Cory saw I wasn't in the raft and broke the surf... he pulled me up onto the raft.

Scary stuff! I'm glad you all are OK!!

08-03-2009, 05:45 AM	#1
celstu1 Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 10,534	Scariest Day of my life!!! Hi all! I'm fine now, but Saturday I had what I think was the scariest 10 mins of my life. My bf, me, his 2 kids (13 & 15), my friend, her daughter (9) and her niece (17) all went tubing on a river. It was over 2 hours away from where we live and it was a beautiful day. We got the tubes and went to find the river. We had to stop and ask directions because the GPS stopped working because we were not on roads it knew. The place we stopped said they were not renting tubes because the river is treacherous that day. But we found the campground, we made sandwiches and were watching people going down. The river was high and moving rapidly. However there were people going down on tubes making it look so easy. We watching probably 20+ people go down before we decided to tie our tubes together and brave it! 7 of us, 7 tubes, no problem, right? ahhhhh no..... 5 mins into it, we hit a small rapid, I was last in line and my tube flipped. The water was going soooo fast that I could not get back above water .... my BFs son got me back up somehow, I lost my $120 sunglasses and my flip flops! (watched them float down river gggrrrr) I was sooooooooo scared!!! I am not a small or weak person and that water swept my feet out and I couldn't get back up because it was pulling me under and your strength goes so quickly, you tire out so fast you don't even realize it. I can't imagine what might have happened if his son was not as strong as he is. So I get back in the tube, but before I could get my legs up we hit trees in the middle of the river, with 7 people tied together 3 went one way and 4 went the other way. We got caught and we were getting poked with branches, scratched to pieces and with the water moving so quickly we could not get untangled too easily. By that point I wanted OFF. I yelled to bf that I was DONE and I think everyone was done, then I saw another rapid ahead that I was going to hit and my mind flashed to how scared I was on the last one. I almost panicked but held it together since we could not get to the bank on time to not hit that one. We hit it, but I held on this time. We finally got to the bank and after a huge struggle and hanging onto rocks, tree branches for dear life (my arms today feel like they are going to fall off) we managed to get everyone off onto the shore. We got the tubes out too (amazingly) and we had to walk back to the campground (maybe 1/2 a mile) with no shoes on, everyone was bleeding from one place or another. I think BF broke his big toe or he really hurt it, its all bruised black all around it. Thankfully everyone was ok, just a little worse for wear, tired, sore and scared out of their minds. It was a long quiet 2.5 hour ride home. When we dropped off the tubes my friend told the guy how bad it was out there and he said that there were 5 river rescues in the last 2 days, one girl broke her arm, 2 more were rushed to the hospital, and when we were driving we saw a fire boat rescue truck followed by an ambulance heading up that way and then 2 state troopers going the same way. I have tubed this river before, it was beautiful... it should have been a perfect day for us and the kids to tube. They are all scared to go back now. I showed them pics online of how the river usually is but with all the rain we've had its just so high and when they release the dam its too fast. I hope they will go back again though, we'll just know now to call ahead to ask how the river is first before we take the 2.5hour drive. __________________ “Petting, scratching, and cuddling a dog could be as soothing to the mind and heart as deep meditation and almost as good for the soul as prayer.” ― Dean Koontz

08-03-2009, 06:10 AM	#3
crystalsmom Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 7,946	OMG, I am so glad you all are ok, what a scare that must have been. This reminds me of a ski trip my son took with four of his buddies to Vermont when they were in senior year. Conditions were not right for skiing while they were there but on the last day they decided to try. My son was on ski patrol here at Brandywine and knew better and yes he broke his leg. You learn a big lesson from things like this when you think it can never happen to me. __________________

08-03-2009, 06:21 AM	#4
starr728 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: KY Posts: 156	Whew...I have chills after reading this! Praise God He saw you all saftely through this, He was definatley there taking care of you all. It is very scary how quickly you can get caught up in a current or tide before you even realize it. Glad you are all safe and sending prayers for a quick healing of all your all's nicks and bruises. Take care! __________________ Karleeopened my eyes to the love for Yorkies she will forever hold a special place in my heart!

08-03-2009, 07:03 AM	#5
abby2473 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Cape Cod, MA Posts: 1,643	OMG how scary!!! I'm glad you are alright and that everyone made it back OK!! Now that I've read your story I don't think I would ever want to even try it...I'm such a big baby! I don't like scrapes and bruises! __________________ Linda, Willow & Jake's Mom: Jake Rory

08-03-2009, 07:12 AM	#6
Patti Donating YT 30K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 35,509 Blog Entries: 6	OMG how scary. So glad you were all ok. __________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html

08-03-2009, 05:52 AM	#2
sandyapk Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: at home Posts: 515	OMG kiss the ground and Praise the Lord you are okay!! Just reading your story scared me. I am so glad you and your family are okay. It is weird how one week the river is fine, the next trip it is killer! I say take the loss of your glasses and count yourself lucky no one was seriously hurt. (it is a bummer to loose expensive things!) Happy your not to badly banged up. Hope that toe is better soon. Man oh man! Poor you.

08-03-2009, 07:36 AM	#7
KimberlySRN Twins=double the fun! Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: California Posts: 2,981	Oh my goodness... I'm so glad everyone was okay __________________ Kim Anakin Bella

08-03-2009, 07:42 AM	#8
FlDebra Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: FL Posts: 7,651	Thank God you all made it through that okay! I know how frightening the river can get. It is a changing beast for sure -- so gentle and relaxing one time, and then a panic-filled danger the next. I can imagine how scary that had to be on tubes! Your narration was vivid and had me clinching along side you on that ride! I haven't had a scare like that on tubes but did with a canoe. I flipped it and had my young son with us. At first I could not find him. I was so panicked myself when I ralized he was under the overturned canoe, that I grabbed him by one arm and jerked him to the surface, scraping his ear on the side of the canoe. His only injury was the scrape I gave him! He had not been scared until I did that as there was air under the canoe and he had put his face up to it and was breathing fine, until I ripped him through the water. So mom's panic was the real danger of our day! From then on, I was only allowed on the tubes (no more canoes) and only when the water was absolutely placid. I don't think he has been in a canoe since (and that was like 10 years ago!) __________________ FlDebra and her ABCs Annie, Ben, Candy Promoting Healthy Breeding to the AKC Yorkshire Terrier Standard

08-03-2009, 07:46 AM	#9
ARCHIE No Longer A Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: NEW YORK Posts: 16,218	You had every right to be scared! That tubing excursion sounded like the trip from hell. It's amazing you are all alright. OMG it could have been so oppisite. I don't blame the kids for not wanting to go back. That must have been the worst experience of their lives. If your BF only got a broken toe he can count his blessings. Sorry it turned out that way expecally when you have had a good experience in the past. I would find another way to enjoy a vacation if I were you. Your story was like reading Seven King novel! Scary,

08-03-2009, 08:30 AM	#10
charly Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: So Ca Posts: 2,376	Its scarey in a boat with water being chopping So l can imagine how scared and helpless you felt. Great to hear you all were not hurt. __________________

08-03-2009, 08:59 AM	#11
4doggiemama Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: KS Posts: 3,289	Glad you are still around to tell us your story. I grew up around rivers that grew terrifying when it became high from rains. Grateful that you and your family are safe and at home. ~Joanne~ __________________ Joanne Eli ChipperEva Snowboy Rosie(R.I.P. 1996-July 29, 2013) Cocoa(R.I.P 1998-April 26, 2012):

08-03-2009, 10:20 AM	#12
celstu1 Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 10,534	Wow FLDebra, I think EVERY mother would have done what you did! You didn't know. In my case I was already nervous after I fell off and before I could even get my legs back up over the top of the tube, we hit trees in the middle of the river. These trees used to be on the banks. Once we got out of those and I saw the next small rapid I was DONE. I was soooo scared! ugh ugh ugh.... I never want to do that again. I will totally tube again but only if I know that the river is safe is slow moving! I have a huge scrape on the back of my leg right where my knee bends! I can feel it everytime I bend down or sit down. __________________ “Petting, scratching, and cuddling a dog could be as soothing to the mind and heart as deep meditation and almost as good for the soul as prayer.” ― Dean Koontz

08-03-2009, 10:26 AM	#13
LDandPasquale YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Massachusetts/Florida Posts: 2,614	As of this morning...there was a girl missing from this weekend on a river in western Massachusetts. If thats where you went..be glad you're alive. I dont think they found her yet. __________________ LD that's me and Pasquale "If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving is definitely not for you!"

08-03-2009, 10:43 AM	#15
suzieqnova Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: PA. Posts: 201	I know that fear of being sucked under the rapids. I went on a rapid trip with some friends in college. Needless to say, I have no upper body strength and when my paddle got stuck between some rocks I thought I could unwedge it by pulling. Big mistake, the suction from us surfing the rapid took me out of the boat and under. All along I held on to the dang paddle instead of letting go. Luckily my friend Cory saw I wasn't in the raft and broke the surf... he pulled me up onto the raft. Scary stuff! I'm glad you all are OK!! __________________ Emmitt & Chrissy