Hi Everyone,

We spent 23 June sightseeing around yellowstone Park visiting the Geysers and then driving around the Northern section. We were lucky to see a Grizzly and various other wildlife including a Black bear by the side of the road. Unfortunately I was driving at the time so no photos but if I can download from the other camera perhaps I can put that situation right.

Upon return to the cabin a short walk to the local shops was called for. We had spoken of white water rafting and the yellowstone River is in full flood at the present, so it seemed like a good idea at the time! The camping shop, known as The Flying Pig, had rafts and staff. This is where we met Rachel, who with considerable charm and tact, managed to get us to sign our lives away. Combined with the purchase of yet more kit for Sth America, we were booked on the full day trip for Tuesday. An early night was called for, so retiring to the Cabin, we planned the next stage of the trip and tried to sleep, you dont know what was happening to that river but we could hear it!!

24 June

Bright and breezy we pitched up at The Flying Pig all set for a days adventure. We announced our arrival only to be told that we had been put back to the 10.00am Off, so we had to wait another hour. We had no money with us so scrounged a cup of tea off one of the managers. When it was time we were informed that the river had risen even higher over night and was now at a 20 year high, also that we could anticipate a dunking (my description not thiers). Everyone suited up and waited for all the preparation to take place. Let me say here and now that everyone and I mean everyone, told it as it was, just so exciting.

We set off with Poncho at the helm, he gave us a safety briefing and then repeated it again whilst on the boat. Rog and I were with 2 families from California who were very fit people and who had previous rafting experience. We had the best boat out of the two which set off. Didnt we? !!

The reason we had opted for the full day trip was in order to go through Yanky Jims Canyon. I had noticed this section of water on the way into the Park, and foolishly said that it looked like fun. Stupid Boy Pike!!

The Canyon had 2 major obsticles, Big Rock and Box Car. Poncho went through our planned manouvre several times, so we were as prepared as possible. I didnt feel so bad until I saw that his hand was trembling. No, only kidding, he's a cool Dude and a good guy, I dont blame him at all for what happened, only kidding - honest!

We followed instructions and commands and blasted along the perfect approach to Big rock. I foolishly looked up to see this enormous wall of breaking water rushing head long towards me. Dig deep, push the feet in and we crashed into and through it. There was whooping and screaming, laughing and cheering. We were through and working hard on the other side to negotiate another set of churning heavy white water. Okay, we calmed down for the big one. I mean the Really Big One.

We watched the first boat approach Box Car, it disappeared from view as it dipped down into the water and then dramatically rode up on a huge heaving mass of water which was breaking at its peak.Almost vertical it breached the top and crashed down the other side. They were through and had made it, so can we.

With a loud shout we dug in and went for it. The raft sank down into the trough of Box Car . Each of us pulled for all our worth on the paddles to drive us up into the rising wall of water ahead of us. From trough to crest we rose over 12 feet into the wave. The roar of water was matched by our shouts and still we dug in. We continued up but were turning to the right. The front of the raft was going to hit the crest off centre. The water broke at exactly the wrong moment and hit us with full force, we stalled at the top and hung in the air until we were dramitically, and very suddenly lurched backwards and sideways. The boat flipped upside down and we heard afterwards that 'we took air', pitched from the craft we all plummeted into the raging waters. There is an immediate sense of disbelief followed quickly by the realization that your world has just gone just a little bit crazy!! You dont have time to draw breath because as much as you might think you know what to expect, believe me, you actually dont. You think about what you have been told, 'grab the top of your life vest and let it pop you up, when it does, draw breath'. I did just that but came up under the lady who had previously been sat behind me and we were both under the boat. I pushed her out and away from the raft which sent me down again. The life jacket was pulling me up but the current was pulling me sideways. I came up again under the boat but this time managed to push myself clear. When I breached the surface I was really in need of breath but then the cold bites you and as i opened my mouth I could hardly breath at all. The River is currently about 38 degrees, so it's pretty cold. I took 2 quick breaths and knew I had to turn on my back with feet forward, facing downstream. Its very strange but you dont think about the raging water around you or the rocks or currents or anything other than getting out. I headed for the safety craft and with assistance got on board. I then pulled the same lady as before, from the water, it tickled me because I then noticed that her sunglasses were still in place. She then asked me to get the children, two older children had made the trip, I pulled both of them out whilst the safety craft helmsman grabbed Rog. The youngsters were cold but otherwise okay. Poncho and the other guides from The Flying Pig were simply great. The situation was under control.

We had gone through Yanky Jims Canyon at full flood, with the highest, heaviest water in 20 years, flipped the boat, been temporarily underneath it, ridden the rapid in the water and got out! Incredibly dramatic and exciting in the most extreme of ways. Marvellous!

It was then that someone asked whether my nose was broken, To be honest I hadnt felt a thing and the cold had numbed my face anyway. I pulled my nose and confirmed that it was in one piece, albeit that a piece was missing, sorry girls but the good looks were temporarily suspended but fear not. I looked like a bit of a ruddolf afterward but Rachel, bless her, told me it made me look like a bit of 'a hard ass' - Yee Haa!!

We landed shortly afterwards, had lunch by the sdie of the River, talked in excited manner about the mishap, this is the first time anyone (sorry Poncho) had tipped all the customers into the River from The Flying Pig, and watched the video footage of it actually happening. I'm hoping that this will apppear on UTube but I havent checked yet. It would be really great to see this again, and again, and again. The journey back was full of tales of daring do and how we cheated death etc etc but truth be known we owed everything to Flying Pig. The staff are very professional and took a lot of trouble to go over safety, safety and safety again. Everything that happened was as it was said. Everything worked as they said it would, we all got out and the worst that happened was a cut nose as a result of taking a paddle in the face, cant be bad. Massive appreciation to you all for a simply fantastic experience and a really great day.

THE PIG FLEW!!!

All the best, Chris