Blair Meets the Smith River, Part Two

In my last column, I wrote about winning the Montana Golden ticket with a Fourth of July Smith River permit; I focused on the massive amount of prep work involved in taking six adults and six kids on the five-day, off-grid float trip. I could write an entire book on the experience; it was a once-in-a-lifetime memory-making journey, not without its challenges, but one I would do over and over.

I returned from the week with a newfound appreciation for running water, my comfy bed, warm showers and my toilet. On the trip, my biggest struggle was the latrine. Pooping and peeing in pit toilets, most of which were nearly full in the middle of the woods, is not for the faint of heart. I wasn’t sure if I should be afraid of something coming up from below to grab me or something out in the wild attacking me in my vulnerable state. I was not alone in this inability to use the loo. Two of my three kids flat-out refused to “go,” and as we all know, kids not regularly pooping comes with challenges, including stomachaches and grouchiness. By day four, we finally found a way through our backlog, so to speak, and the sailing was smoother the final two days.

Now that I’ve shared my family’s bathroom habits with the world, shall we talk about the eagle that dove down between the boats to pluck a baby duckling away from its mother? Nature is great and all, but for the remainder of the day (several hours...several), the only thing that consumed my 4-year-old was asking why an eagle would do such a thing, or wouldn’t the mama duck be sad.

I learned to be more patient with my husband because, in fact, he really does have us covered. My nitpicking or backseat oaring is more annoying than helpful (don’t tell him I am admitting to that), and throughout the trip, I came to appreciate all his hard work, preparation and dedication to making this experience enjoyable.

I saw the kids in a new light. My 9-and 7-year-old boys became so much older to me. Helping set up camp without needing to be coaxed, bribed or threatened and looking out for the other kids, leading in games, holding their hands in the rougher water, catching crawdads, taking a turn on the oars. It was a stark realization that we need to double down on these types of trips because they will be off living young adult lives that may or may not include my husband and me in just a few short years.

These are the memories that build the foundation of what types of adventure seekers and travelers our kids will be as they grow up; this is where curiosity about the world around them is nurtured, and if we as parents don’t facilitate it, who will?

I can’t say I wasn’t relieved to be home in my bed (and with a toilet with running water) because I am, but I’m also now highly aware of the weight that cell service, internet, screens and work obligations have on our lives, and I need to find more balance.