COP Gets A Fan Letter
By Pam & Doug Ingalls
Hi Ann and the rest of the 7/26/03 Yough gang! This note is coming from the two sorry amateurs that entered the Yough river the same Saturday as you did. It's basically a thank you note from us (Pam and Doug) for saving our sorry butts from drowning that day. We are forever in your debt for basically keeping us alive when, without you folks, we probably would have drowned. If you ever need a testimonial as to your rescue abilities—we're it!!
My husband Doug doesn't remember who in particular pulled him from the water each time we capsized, but he definitely attributes his current state of life to you folks from Outdoor-Pursuits for keeping him above water and alive. I happen to remember in particular that Tom pulled me out of the water at LEAST three times that day, and I am forever in his debt for doing so. We remember him offering us assistance from the moment we set out from the launch site (as I'm sure he recognized us as a couple of ill-advised rookies with no experience). We also really appreciated Barb taking our ducky through the last two rapids for us even though she had to swim one of them also! Getting into that raft with Ann, after Barb forfeited her spot, was a true God send to us!
Anyway, I've got to admit my embarrassment at my state of mind after losing it at Cucumber. As I told Ann, I could NEVER be a doctor, nurse or trauma person with my tolerance for dealing with blood/wounds, in addition to my inability to see more than 8 feet in front of me without contacts/glasses! So that first traumatic event just did me in; and it was definitely all downhill after that. After realizing there was basically no way off that river until finishing the loop, I swore I'd NEVER do anything like that again! But since that statement was really based on my leg "trophy" from Cucumber (which is finally starting to heal by the way), I've now got this determination to "divide and conquer" and do the whole trip>>>in a very large raft with a great guide that is! Will you be available again one day Ann? You're the best!
So now, even after our great "tales of the Yough" (which are probably bigger than the tale of Jonah and the whale), we still have an interest in trying again, along with a number of other people we've talked to about that weekend. I really want to succeed on that river and have a great time doing it! So, we'll be in touch with Ann some day soon to inquire about membership, and hope to see you all again one day (if you can deal with us again that is!)
Thanks again for all you did; and if you folks ever take a leisurely kayak/canoe trip up in Northwestern PA along French Creek (which is pretty popular up this way), please look us up. We're only a stones throw away! Have a great weekend!!