Chapter 19: Thriving in Whitewater: A Professional Practice Doctorate Experience

Many rivers in the United States’ Intermountain West consist of alternating adrenaline inducing whitewater rapids followed by stretches of serene, transparent, refreshing, calm water. When you float these rivers, the roaring whitewater throws itself into the air and tries to tear you and the boat you are on apart. Then come the calm stretches where you can see down to the riverbed and all the life between it and you. These calm stretches draw you in and help you see the natural beauty around you. If you float one of these rivers, the Snake, the Salmon, the Green, the Colorado, or some other, you will experience the danger and thrill of the whitewater and then, as your adrenalin level and your heart rate drops, the beauty of the calm stretches will emerge around you and, if you give them time, they will emotionally engulf you.