12.05.05
Kayaking with Lucas
One of my fondest memories of Lucas is a day that he came over to the Coosa River and went kayaking with us. I had met him a few years before, when I was in design school with Rachel. We all immediately became friends; anyone who knew him was immediately enamored by his smile, and sweet, sweet spirit.
We got to the river, and Lucas, Rachel, Van and myself put on the water to begin our extended adventure. Lucas had never been in a decked kayak before, but was bound and determined to rise to the challenge. The Coosa is a class 2-3 river in Alabama, and has 5 rapids on the section below Jordan Dam(the section we were paddling). I am pretty sure that Lucas flipped over and swam at every single rapid. It was so funny. Watching Lucas do just about anything was enertaining, but this took the cake. His long arms and tall body in that huge boat, and the look of panic each time just before flipping over. Despite the setbacks, which entailed him having to swim with his boat(completely full of water) to the bank each time, dump out the water, and then climb back in, he never stopped smiling. He had the best attitude all day and never got discouraged. When we got off the river, he made the comment that he thought he could see his improvement throughout the day, and couldn’t wait to go again.
I will never forget his great attitude, his fervor for life, and his amazing smile. I can’ t wait to see that smile again someday…I love you and miss you, Lucas.
Tarlie Harris said,
December 5, 2005 at 7:16 pm
he must of told me about that adventure at least five times, he had such a fun time that day…we talked about getting me out there with y’all, lucas said van was an excellent teacher…..i didnt know all the details though, that post makes for such a good picture in my head…thank you….it definitely makes me laugh to think of him flipping every single time
JudiMom said,
December 5, 2005 at 7:57 pm
The look of “panic” when at the point of what ever he thought he was doing stopped working and he knew the jig was up… less panic and more like “well…. damn …. I guess I flubbed it up again”…. I can see it, too. Thanks for bringing it to mind.
Rachel said,
December 8, 2005 at 1:18 pm
That was an adventure I will never forget. We wouldn’t even be in rapids and Lucas would flip over. He was probably in the water more than he was in the boat. I think we figured out afterwards that the kayak wasn’t adjusted for his long legs. I wish we would have had a camera that day, but you describe it very well. Thanks.