Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

The Difference Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Canyoning

Canyoning

 

Because Chelsea and Sacha are home for a long weekend, they decided to go canyoning, which sounded like canoeing to me, well the way French Husband said canyoning that is. French Husband begged me to go, "…you will have fun, you will be with us, I will watch out for you, it is not hard, ten years olds do it…"

But I am not so stupid after 27 years of being married to this Frenchman I have learned the hard way that his easy means, "Scary as $é!§è"é§(&#à" for me.

The three of them left this morning for the Gorge de Verdon, a stunningly beautiful canyon less than two hours from our home. Right before they left French Husband pleaded again, "Come on Corey, you can take pictures, you will be with us, I will watch out for you, ten year olds do it… there are only a few ropes and you will have a helmet and a wet suit…"

"ROPES…?" I asked, "Why does one need a rope to go canoeing?" 

But when I said canoeing French Husband heard canyoning.

He shrugged, "You should come, and be with us."

I felt guilty. I wished my fear did not control my decision. I thought to myself, "I can take emotional risks, but not physical ones."

They happily went without me.

I went to church and prayed in the calm silent womb, the safe place I feel when I am there. I prayed for their safety, with the word rope coming in between my Hail Marys and Our Fathers.

Why ropes?

 

Canyoing rope

 

Early afternoon Chelsea called to reassure me that they were fine. 

I could tell they were in hog heaven of over abundant glory. I asked, "Did you take any photos?" Chelsea laughed, "Mom, how could I?" 

I was utterly confused, "Couldn't you stop rowing to take one souvenir photo?"

"Rowing" she laughed then clarified, in her perfect accent, "Mom we went canyoning not canoeing." 

"Could I have done it?"

"Oh God NO way! We all agreed, that you would have HATED every single second of it."

in which I replied, "Thank God," and under my breath, "I am so gonna bop you dad."

Photos from the professional organization to come.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canyoning

photos via: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canyoning

Comments

16 responses to “The Difference Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Canyoning”

  1. Valerie Spanswick

    Holy &$@#!!! That looks scary, but beautiful.

    Reply
  2. Diogenes

    I don’t like heights, so I’d have to take a pass on this activity. Could always go to the brocante instead…

    Reply
  3. Diane

    So funny! Daughters are trustworthy. Husbands…they indulge in wishful thinking. Probably doesn’t much matter if you understand that he is saying “canyoning” or “canoeing”; the lesson here is to remind him who he’s talking to. I have to sprinkle some reality on my enthusiastic husband when he tries to get me to do something like astronomy in the freezing cold outdoors. “You do realize that I may start to whine at some point….early on?” That usually results in a disinvite.

    Reply
  4. Diane Belforte Lewis

    Oh Corey, you had me laughing! Too scary for me, glad you made the right decision.

    Reply
  5. Toni

    I went out on a limb and did a rope rescue course for my volunteer fire dept. I was afraid that I would not be able to do it. But I did. I was afraid the first time and then it was easier. Afterwards, I wanted to do something more like what you show in the pictures.
    Your husband is truthful. It is easy and safe. But I understand fear – fear is hard.

    Reply
  6. Merisi in Vienna

    Holly Scentilla! Worse than a pie contest.

    Reply
  7. Marilyn

    Looks like fun, but think I would pass too.
    Glad they are safe and had fun.

    Reply
  8. Marlena.maizar@ggaweb.ch

    Oh Corey…..I know how you feel. My daughter and two nieces from your neck of the Californina woods are in France for the summer to learn French. On the weekends the school takes them around for various “fun” activities! One of which was canyoning!!! They had a great time, but I was so worried the whole time, as a couple of summers ago some people died here in Switzerland doing it……
    All went well however and they had a great time. Not for me either though as I am afraid of heights!!!!!

    Reply
  9. Jody

    Just seeing the photos made my stomach do flip flops…and not in a good way! I think you were wise to stay at home 🙂

    Reply
  10. Liese Lotte

    Quelle confusion !

    Reply
  11. Rhonda

    Oh no, that is NOT my idea of fun, climbing rocks. I’m with you on this one….brocante, antiques and dining are my idea of fun.

    Reply
  12. Rebecca from the pacific northwest

    27 years of marriage have wised you up. Good choice.
    (Once David begged me to accompany him and his friend Bob fishing on marshy lands at protected edge of Gulf of Mexico, when we lived in Houston. “It’ll be beautiful! You’ll enjoy seeing the coast. You don’t even have to fish, you can jut float and read!” That night, as David and Bob took turns slogging through the marshes, HAULING the boat whose motor had died oh so far away from anything, being battered by mosquitoes, muddy and tired, they agreed as to how glad they were that neither wife was along. “I might have had to shoot one or both of them,” they agreed. Oh my, that was the wisest decision I ever made in my whole life.)

    Reply
  13. peggy aplSEEDS

    I so enjoyed this post! So amusing. I would be just like you!

    Reply
  14. Teresa Cesario

    So you were right in your decision and also to go pray. Haha Corey. It doesn’t sound like fun, although they enjoyed it. I would have declined also.

    Reply
  15. Andrea

    Looks like a wonderful thrill. I might have been convinced to try it. Seems like the older I get, the more caution I am throwing to the winds. Not with regard to my grandkids though. I’d like to put them in bubble wrap and carry them around with me.

    Reply
  16. Leslie in Oregon

    Were they climbing up the cliff or down the cliff into the water? I’ll do anything that includes getting in wster!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions