Real Life

January 10, 2025 12:33 pm

As I look around the circle, the fire flickers across many smiling faces. It’s hard to believe we‬ met each other just six days ago. The champagne in my sierra cup is almost gone after a round‬ of spontaneous toasts and gratitudes. Inevitably, there’s a mention of ‘real life’. “When I go back‬ to real life….” I hear you say.‬

And I ask you, what is not ‘real’ about this life? We’re toasting the authentic conversations – hours of eye contact and belly laughs throughout the day as we shared the oar boat together. In‬ the ducky, you exclaimed delight in such a decibel I first thought something was wrong. When in‬ fact, everything was so right. In one week, we’ve gathered together to face real risk when‬ running whitewater–and real reward as we did so as a team. We shared hearty meals made‬ from whole ingredients. Savoring every bite, we saved room for a little tiramisu as our cheeks‬glowed rosy from the wine. The calm clear nights lead to a clear mind–a timeless awe when‬ watching the perseid meteor shower until your eyelids closed the curtains on the show. Deep,‬ happy-tired sleep rejuvenated you in ways you didn’t know possible. Waking to the sun reset‬ your circadian rhythm, and a hot cup of coffee delivered to your sleeping bag invoked some faith‬ in humanity.‬

The mountain air filled your lungs in a lofty way that almost had you take flight–you were‬ present. Without worry, stress, anxiety, or scroll-holes of social media. You noticed the way the‬‭ sunlight glittered through the ponderosas and how the bighorn sheep scaled the cliffs with ease.‬‭ You noticed the warmth from the sun as you lounged on the paco pad and your amusement as‬‭ a new friend captivated an audience with a humorous tale. You were moved by the story of the‬‭ salmon, swimming against all odds to return to their home streams. You were changed from the‬‭ genuine connections you’ve made in just six, full days.‬‭

Now, I understand that we cannot spend our whole lives in the wilderness on a river trip. In fact,‬ the Wilderness Act of 1964 defines wilderness as “undeveloped federal land that is free of […]‬‭ human habitation”. So you are right, we cannot live here. But temporary does not negate ‘real’.‬ Your life has many phases–many moments. You might have a ‘wedding day’ or a ‘gap year’ or a‬ ‘week on the river’
–and those moments are all still real.‬ So at the conclusion of your river trip, think of it like a chapter in your autobiography. It was real,‬ it really happened, and your next chapter will be real too.‬

Jessie Longe‬