Figured this would be a once, or at least first, in-a-lifetime adventure. This was to be a do-it-ourselves trip. No professional tour operators. Just us and our leaders, Gabe the guide and Rick the organizer.

Had a few up and down moments, as usual, in making the commitment to go. Decided to go, but then plane fare was too expensive, so then decided not to go, but then tried Priceline one more time and got a non-refundable, non-changeable, non-cancellable plane ticket. Oops, serious commitment. That made me nervous.

Was a little anxious about the weather, the time, the conditions. Was concerned about getting restless doing the same thing day after day, being cold and dirty for a week, and wondering about the company. There was no way out early. Where we were going, there was no communication with the outside world, no cell phones, no roads, no other campers, just us and our portable latrine Tex.

The temperatures could get down into the 30s. To get my body acclimated, put my air conditioner way down for a couple weeks before the trip. That helped and the cooler weather was not a shock. People thought I was crazy, but they thought that before, so no harm done.

After the first day and a half in the wilderness, you wonder how you are going to get through another 5 and a half more days. But, by the second night, you are changed. Your old life is gone and the wilderness becomes your new life. Canoing, camping, hiking and washing in the river become natural and you forget your old ways.

Tex, though, never feels quite right.

You think your current life is the only life you can lead, but you would do quite well leading some other life.