Lessons: What You Can Take Home

January 10, 2025 10:26 pm

After six unforgettable days rafting down the Salmon River with Canyons River Company, the river’s roar fades, and the rhythm of paddling gives way to the hum of daily life. While you can’t pack up the wild rapids, towering canyon walls, or the camaraderie of camp, there’s so much you can take home. The true value of the trip lies in the lessons learned—tools for navigating not just rivers but the currents of everyday life.

Here’s what a Canyons adventure gives you to carry forward, long after the trip ends:

1. Take Care of Yourself

Hydration, sunscreen, and rest weren’t just encouraged—they were essential for enjoying every moment on the river. Your guides emphasized self-care because thriving on a multi-day river trip starts with taking care of your body and mind. Back home, the hazards may look different—stress, overwork, or distraction—but the principle remains. Prioritize rest, carve out time for yourself, and nourish your body. Just as a well-cared-for guest enjoys the river more fully, you’ll find that taking care of yourself helps you show up better in every aspect of life.

2. Keep Taking Risks with People

Around the campfire, over shared meals, and in the raft, you found yourself connecting with people you’d only just met. Guides and guests alike leaned into the vulnerability of sharing stories, laughter, and even fears. These moments of trust and connection made the experience unforgettable. At home, it’s easy to retreat into routines, but relationships require the same openness and effort. Trust others, take chances, and embrace the richness of meaningful connections.

3. Persevere Through Challenges

Paddling against a headwind, pushing yourself on a hike to a scenic overlook, or ducky-ing a thrilling rapid all demanded grit. But it was worth it—especially when you could kick back at camp with a cold beverage and reflect on the day’s accomplishments. Life’s challenges may not always be as exhilarating, but perseverance is just as critical. Face difficulties with patience and determination, and you’ll emerge stronger and ready for the next adventure.

4. Keep Learning

Whether it was finding rhythm in the paddle raft, pitching a tent, or singing a new campfire song, the river encouraged growth through learning. Canyons’ guides are experts at fostering curiosity and confidence in every guest, helping you master skills you didn’t think possible. At home,

continue this mindset. Dive into something new—a hobby, a skill, or even a change in perspective. Staying curious keeps life vibrant and exciting.

5. Kindness Goes a Long Way

From the respect shown to the river and its wildlife to the care extended to fellow guests and guides, kindness was everywhere on this trip. It’s a reminder that small acts—helping someone with their dry bag, complimenting a guide’s cooking, or simply sharing a laugh—can ripple out in ways that matter. Bring this same kindness into your everyday life. Generosity and empathy brighten not only your own day but also the world around you.

6. Embrace the Moment

Life on the river is about embracing the moment, whether you’re dropping into a Class IV rapid or enjoying the serenity of calm water. A Canyons trip allows you to slow down, appreciate the beauty around you, and celebrate the small joys—a sunrise over the canyon, a soak in a hot spring, or a heartfelt toast at the end of the day. Let the river remind you to bring this sense of wonder and presence into your daily routine.

The days on the river may have flowed by too quickly, but the lessons and memories don’t have to end. Just as the Salmon River keeps flowing, so can the spirit of your trip.

When you return to your routine, let the river inspire you to live with intention, connection, and gratitude. Celebrate the big rapids and the calm stretches—they all contribute to the adventure. Carry the essence of your Canyons River trip forward, and let it guide you toward a life filled with joy, resilience, and connection.

Written by Canyons guide Jessie Longe This blog was Inspired by Morgan Hite’s ‘Briefing for Entry into a More Harsh Environment’