Thanks you guys, I really appreciate the kind words. I had this profound
notion after making it back on dry land Wednesday that if a guy dies out
there on the lake that those that visit afterward never have a clue what
happened there. I'm sure I've crossed such places on many occasions.

I completely "tanked" my boat at Champlain last fall after taking my eyes
off the giant rollers I was navigating through to look at my gps unit & get
my bearings. I was alone & chest-deep in cold water then, and until this
week it was the scariest moment in my career.

I will get my tale posted here in the next few days.

Warren



..
"Ken Fortenberry" wrote in message
m...
Bob Rickard wrote:
Warren, I have not known what to say to you about your newborn fears &
still don't. I almost (or should have) drowned on the flooded Gasconade
River in SW Missouri in the early 70's, & I know those kind of fears
first hand. Unfortunately, memories of the details will never go away,
nor will the sick dreams that will grow from them. You are in my prayers,
good friend.

I know the terror too, from about the same time and near the
same place. I was on the Current River when I had absolutely
no business being there. But for the grace of God and a damn
good canoe I'd have been just another dead teenager drowned
in a totally preventable canoeing accident. It's hard to
explain to my wife why I spend so much time polishing and waxing
that old 18 foot Grumman. I keep a mirror shine on that old
boat and tell her it's because it was a gift from my grandpa.

You know what they say, what doesn't kill us makes us stronger.
And in my case a whole lot wiser too.

--
Ken Fortenberry