Submitted by Pat

I didn't sleep well, couldn't get warm enough one moment and was sopping wet with sweat the next. Chills and fever, achy muscles and headache. I woke up early and couldn't imagine rafting feeling like this. Several bouts of diarrhea. Coffee tasted awful so I switched to mint tea which also tasted awful. Could barely eat. The morning activity was canyoneering on the Rio Blanco, but I couldn't go. There was no way. Only Frank and Barry went with Aaron when all was said and done. The rest of us stayed.

I took some Ibuprofen and went back to bed. I just couldn't get warm. After an hour, two heavy blankets and a sleeping bag, I finally warmed up. But putting on a cold bathing suit and a damp wetsuit set me to shivering so I put on two extra shirts and my rain pants and headed to the waiting area by the fire. As soon as I sat down and the sun came out I started sweating so I took off one of the shirts and the rain pants. I was feeling pretty lousy when we started the hike to where the rafts were beached. We crossed the river and sat waiting for the hikers to return from the canyon.

Finally it was show time - this time Nancy and Barry were in front. I was again on the left side of the boat in the third seat. As we started down Terminador for the second time, I started to feel better although I was having a hell of a time finding a paddling rhythm. The sun warmed us and I felt better except for the fact that I hadn't eaten breakfast and was starving by noon. We didn't stop for lunch until 1pm. I ate a little and felt relief at feeling better and was actually able to enjoy this incredible rafting day. After lunch we ran more rapids with Katie and Frank taking turns paddling in front with Barry. My turn up front came when we hit a stretch of the river that we hadn't run before and included the last rapid called Casa de Piedra (House of Rocks). Very technical, very quick, lots of gradient. It was a great rapid and we stayed in the boat.

I couldn't believe it was over and spent the next 40 minute slow drift to our take out enjoying the sun, the water, the mountains, the river. By the time we arrived at the take out, I was feeling worse. The bus ride back to camp was a bit uncomfortable for me, but I managed to hold on until we got back to camp. I was deeply chilled so after taking my turn at the toilet I got into the hot tub. After half an hour or so I had to head back to the toilet and decided to go lay down afterward. Aaron, the guide who had been sick, brought me a pitcher of tea, some Gatorade, and a roll. It was so thoughtful of him. I drank the tea and rested in between bouts of cramps and joined the others for dinner. I ate soup and drank some tea.

Kind of a sad way to end such an incredible adventure - shivering in my sleeping bag and wondering how I was going to manage traveling for 19 hours the next day. But I did and so did Nancy - she was sick too - same thing that I had. And while the travel back was not the most fun I have ever had in my life, I have the memories of the rest of the trip and the pictures and many learnings. I am at a loss how to end this - I don't really want to end it. So maybe I won't. Suffice it to say that was an amazing adventure.