White Water Dentistry 2008: 2008

whitewaterdentistry2008 said...
The Lower Salmon River in Idaho was the scene of our first annual Whitewater Dentistry expedition during the first week of August 2008. This expedition brought together a group of veterinarians and technicians from four states for a week of adventure and relaxation in the spectacular Salmon River Canyon.Each day we hopped in our rafts piloted by Morgan, Caitlin, and John and cruised down the mighty waterway, mesmerized by the dazzling scenery on all sides. Our ride was sometimes smooth and relaxing, sometimes rowdy and thrilling in the class III-IV rapids. For the more adventurous (I think that includes all of us), the inflatable kayaks multiplied our thrills exponentially while bouncing through the rapids and dodging the boulders.Not only did Morgan, Caitlin, and John lead us down the river, they kept our bellies filled with gourmet food. Starting each morning with hot coffee under a brilliant sunrise, we stuffed ourselves with outstanding breakfasts each day. After a morning of bouncing through the rapids, we always found a beautiful white sand beach for a rest stop for lunch. While we either went for a swim or took a nap, our crew dutifully prepared a delicious lunch complete with fresh fruit and vegetables and dessert. And the evening meals…..OMG! We had a broad variety of dishes and cultural entrees that would put Wolfgang Puck to shame.While traveling on the river, nothing else seems to matter. The troubles and stresses of our workday lives are thrown into the river and washed away with the current. The sense of isolation, the serenity, the unity with nature became a part of us all. We watched deer drink from the river, chukars climb on boulders, and magnificent yellow swallowtail butterflies swirl about. We watched golden eagles soar in the blue skies above the canyon and bighorn sheep amble down the steep mountainsides for a drink from the river. Each evening we landed on a white sandy beach to camp for the night. John Koehm and Julie McMahon set up a quiet generator, laptop computer and projector and gave Power Point presentations on various dental topics as darkness set in. After we filled our brains with dental knowledge, we feasted, told stories (some true, some not), and readied for bed. Lying on the soft sand beach under the brilliant starlit sky of the Salmon River Canyon is an experience I will never forget.Was our first annual Whitewater Dentistry expedition a success? Absolutely! We met new friends and shared the experience of a lifetime in a pristine setting. Next year we are planning to travel down the Snake River in Hell’s Canyon. I can’t wait!
August 24, 2008 7:32 PM