{"id":34133,"date":"2024-10-14T01:03:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-14T08:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/community.nrs.com\/duct-tape\/?p=34133"},"modified":"2024-09-18T08:42:15","modified_gmt":"2024-09-18T15:42:15","slug":"raising-the-next-generation-of-river-rats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/community.nrs.com\/duct-tape\/2024\/10\/14\/raising-the-next-generation-of-river-rats\/","title":{"rendered":"The Rogue, Rafting, and Raising the Next Generation of River Rats"},"content":{"rendered":"

My earliest memories involve rolling around in a muddy riverbank, napping in the footwell of a raft on the San Juan River, Russian olive thorns poking sunburnt skin. I’ve identified as a river rat for all my 44 years, as a kayaker for 35 years, as a river guide for 25 years, and as a parent for six. My wife Susan and I, like parents all over the world, strive to instill values and skills in our children that will guide them throughout their lives. A recent trip down the Rogue was proof again that extended periods in nature are an essential part of raising children who are capable and deeply connected to the world around them. It was also just a fun time outside.<\/p>\n

For the 119th time on this six-day raft trip down the Rogue, I found myself smiling at the sound of my daughter Juniper\u2019s voice, harmonizing(ish) with her \u201ccousin\u201d Gaia and \u201cAuntie\u201d Carmen. Their voices blended in a jaunty, hearty rendition of \u201cMuddy River\u201d by Katie Lee. Juniper was perched in the bow of her adopted family\u2019s raft, singing with a confidence that seemed to grow with each verse.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Now if I had a Mexican Hat,
\nI wouldn\u2019t put it on.
\nI\u2019d jump right in
\nfrom its broad brim
\nand skim down the San Juan. <\/em><\/p>\n

And if somebody made for me,
\na good ol\u2019 gooseneck pie,
\nI\u2019d rather float on down its throat
\nin a river boat says I!<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, oooh, Oh! Muddy River.
\nOh, oooh, Oh! on your way down to the sea!<\/em><\/p>\n

We don\u2019t live anywhere near the silt-laden desert rivers that Katie Lee so passionately devoted her music to, and Juniper has never touched the waters of the San Juan. Yet, her love for wild rivers is real, born from the stories we\u2019ve shared and the experiences we\u2019ve created together. As she sang, I was transported back to my own childhood, floating and swimming the \u201cSand Wind\u201d from Bluff, Utah, past Mexican Hat, through the Gooseneck canyons to Clay Hills near Lake Powell. The deep shade of those twisting canyons, the feel of the river\u2019s current, the sound of the water against the boat\u2014all of it came rushing back as I listened to my daughter sing the cowboy ballads of my youth.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll take your rapids and your roar
\nlike they ain\u2019t never been took before
\nand come around and back for more
\n\u2019cause, you don\u2019t worry me!<\/em><\/p>\n