Kaweah and Three Rivers

We have exploded in the Three Rivers Hideaway, a campground and RV park on the banks of the Kaweah River, just outside of the Sequoia National Park.

Home for me is now the blue North Face in the right of the photo. First contained in a Rubbermaid bin and large Watershed dry bag, I unload the pieces and assemble the cozy nook I will escape to every night and anytime I need a break from the chaos that is our traveling circus. With each new home I find myself outfitting even the tiniest space with pieces of comfort. Certain books, a cozy sleeping system, my journal. Quickly it transforms into a home, different from the last and the next but perfect for right now.

Frisbee before breakfast and we are on to our classes for the morning. A student-teacher team prepares meals every day (I'm wednesday) and by the afternoon with the sun shining bright upon our small world, we load up the boats and head into the park for a section of the Kaweah. After a heart-pumping afternoon of granite, boofs, sun and pure joy the stresses of the school day have been put into perspective. I realize I can accomplish necessary class prep, menu planning and other daily chores without excess stress, thanks to the daily reminder of the river.


Here our group awaits at the bottom of the first slide, a stout rapid for some of the crew members and an incredible way to begin a day of kayaking.

Further downstream the more experienced group members run a section known as Hospital Rock. A section full of California's classic steep, technical, canyon rapids and plenty of waterfalls. About 3/4 of the way down this run I fumbled, attempting to brace my way back upright going over a small slide. Something pinched in my shoulder, causing me to walk off the run before the final few rapids. Luckily, the river isn't going anywhere.

A weekend field trip deeper into the park and suddenly we were surrounded by giants. Snow blanketed the surface of the forest and intermixed between normal conifers trees were the towering Sequoias, bright red bark, thick trunks and incredible height. General Sherman, the tallest of these beasts, was beyond words. Somehow it didn't even seem like a tree to me, perhaps some sort of other man-made structure placed there to amaze our tiny species. Yet, it also stood with a quiet confidence that proved its living presence.


A final day in the park meant a creative trip down the river. Teachers and coaches organized a mini adventure race for the students. Broken into four teams, each member was to run to the put-in (uphill of course), tag a team-mate who would race down. Each team-member had to complete both sections of course (with a nice break in between the legs to gear-up). Students muscled head-to head on the water and pushed thier way through the hot sun up the hill. Taking photos, and running with some of the groups, I was still able to enjoy the day, despite being inured and off-water.

Here, a student drops into the final pool, crossing the finish line. This last rapid was one of the best on the run, a 3-drop sequence with seivey consequencse (water coming through rock on right).


Next stop, former student Justin Pat's house and the Yuba river!

Another example of life handing you exactly what you need: J Pat's dad happens to be a chiropractor and was able to take a look at my shoulder, apply some electric shock therapy and give me exercises. What luck? How do you say thank you for such care? Not to mention they opened their house to our insane explosion, kitchen, bathrooms, living space...where ever we go, we immediately take over. However, our departure is flawless as the group comes together (with much prodding from teachers) to clean and organize the space as to hide our catastrophic presence. Thank you Pats!