Monday, June 01, 2009

What gives this mess some grace unless it's kicks, man

Over the weekend my kids and I went on a short drive to the Colorado River.



At first we just hung out along the shore.



However, it was a hot day, so we all decided to go in and cool off. It worked. The water was freezing* cold. It was refreshing though.



Togers and I decided to go for a swim. We turned around when the current started pushing him downstream, and the water was too deep for him to touch the bottom.

After getting him back to shore, I decided to see how far out I could go. My kids said I swam about halfway across the river. I think it was closer to a third of the way. I stopped and turned around when I realized how strong the current really was.

I could hear Mr M yelling something to me from the shore, but I couldn't hear what. As I swam back, I could make out that he was calling for me to come back. When I got to the bank, he ran out and gave me a big hug.

Me: What's wrong? Did you think something was going to happen to me?

Mr M: Yeah.

Me: I wasn't going to drown. You know that, right?

Mr M: I know.

Me: So what did you think might happen?

Mr M: I thought a whole bunch of ducks were going to come peck out your eyes.



Lucky for me, they didn't. I'm sure they were contemplating it though, in their little duck minds. Fucking ducks.








*Ok, so maybe not freezing**

**But I'm a long way away from the guy who used to wet wade in fifty-five degree water on the Green River. It seems as though I've had to trade in my cold tolerance to be able to survive a summer in the Mojave desert.

14 comments:

PsychDoctor said...

It only takes about 30 seconds for someone to go under and drown...keep those kids out of the fast currents...

Karen said...

That water actually looks cold even in the picture.

Don't you just love the things that go through a kid's mind? He wasn't worried about you being swept away by the current or drowning or being eaten by a gigantic trout, no he was worried the ducks would peck your eyes out. Cute....

Native Minnow said...

Dr Psycho, We didn't go into the strong current. I didn't even go into the strong current when I went back out. We just went far enough that there was a current before turning back. I'm not that bad of a parent.

Gypsy, that kid has got quite an active imagination. Maybe he could channel that into being a writer of screenplays someday.

Inklings said...

Gypsy, that kid is pretty dang cute. He is always coming up with something funny. He is quite the charmer.

Jeff Buckley's Ghost said...

Beware the ducks and strong currents!

Amber said...

I love Mr. M's face in that picture! It looks like he was trying to do some kind of survival type fishing with that sharpened stick. This looks like it was a fun day!

Jenny said...

I've always wanted to swim in a river, but it's COLD. And I think your boy is super cute.

Nene said...

The fun of being a kid is having a great experience like swimming in a river!

Lightning Strikes said...

I would have LOVED to have done something fun like that!!! I love Mr M and his thoughts he's so freaking cute!!

Heff said...

SHRINKAGE !!!!

Kymical Reactions said...

The ducks don't have anything on the damn geese. Those bastards will really run you down and peck you to death.

Glad you got to spend some quality time with your kids.

steph said...

the beach is cool and all, but i am pretty jealous of your surroundings.

repliderium.com said...

The violence of ducks and other "water fowl" goes largely unrecognized. I once watched my brother get attacked by a flock of swans (though it may have been me throwing rocks at them while he was in the water) Those fuckers can move FAST!
It was good times.

Chico said...

That was really fun.