On the river (Day 2)

At last night's campfire we shared our experiences with cancer. Everyone is between 18 and 39 so it's a younger dynamic. People in this group have gone through all kinds of health issues. Some are still "kids", about three have kids the same age as my son, and others are not able to have kids because treatments took that option away. We share stories, hand out awards for the day, play games, etc. After dinner last night Chris Anthony, a 20 year veteran extreme skier with Warren Miller Films, previewed some films for us on the big screen in the lodge's living room. Chris kayaked with us today on the river before taking off for Chilé to instruct a skiing camp.
While eating lunch on a sand bar we were surprised to see a bear, yes a bear, cross the river to our side! "Nature!"
Five hours on the river practicing eddy maneuvers, T rescues, swimming the rapids, taking accidental swims. We are exhausted.
I discovered another camper had melanoma so we shared stories the entire shuttle ride there and back and I told him he's had it way worse than me and he retorted saying, yeah, but it isn't in my brain. Well, okay. It could always be worse...for anyone.
As we lined up to eat dinner it felt as though we were related,  all visiting for a reunion or holiday, complete with bickering, playful banter, telling personal stories, sharing too much information and just hanging out. Love it.