It was a moment of pure bliss. The crisp, cold cobalt river roared and rushed at our raft in the Smoky Mountains. The surge of adrenaline I had made me want more. A true example of following your impulses, I agreed to ride the death drop. The death drop is well, what it sounds like. It’s a pretty big drop that tour guides find as a good way to challenge white water rafters. I say “challenge” because the death drop is pretty terrifying. But, I knew I had to take that challenge, I was on vacation and thought why not make a memorable memory. 

Excited, anxious and apprehensive were words describing my feelings as I stumbled to the front of the raft. Luckily, it wasn’t awkward for the three other strangers who were in the raft with us because my parents were at the front. I sat at the edge and hung my feet off. I clung onto the medium sized ring attached to the raft to be used as a handle. As I prepared myself for what seemed like the face of possible death I thought “hey at least if I die, it would be in a cool way!”  Excited, anxious and apprehensive . . . as our raft soared through the choppy waters. Like a mechanical bull, I tightly hung onto the raft handles for dear life, trying not to fall off. Water rushed in all directions forming a portal into the river. My body couldn’t handle being tossed around as it was and my arms gave out. I flung back thinking I fully landed in the water, however, I thankfully landed in the raft and on my parents laps.

Moral of the story, always try things that you wouldn’t normally do, as it makes many more memories than if you hadn’t.