The weekend of May 18 we headed to Johnstown, Pa, to run the Stonycreek and check out the festival. We three, plus our friend Desiree, headed out on Thursday afternoon to spend the night at the River Rat Ranch in Ohiopyle. The Abi Shack was set up there after Cheat Fest in early May. We drove and stopped for dinner so Abi could run out a little energy. By the time we got to the Ranch it was dark and in the nine pm hour so we quickly set things up, david searched for the electric cord, and I read to Abi after making the beds to get her ready for sleep.
The next morning Abi woke at 7:30, much later than usual, and we were greeted by Lady, the neighbors dog. She would bark and advance and then run away and then advance a little closer and then run away the second you reached your hand out to pet her. Until she finally gave in and lowered her head and took the affection. We went down to town to have breakfast at Falls Market and show Desiree the waterfall. They are doing a lot of construction so the usual overlook was closed. We walked down to the put in and the water level was up to 5 feet and the temperature was noticeably cooler. Desiree and I headed up to take showers with the hope of hot water but we were not so lucky. Cold water leads to fast showers and lots of gasping and groaning. After that we went to the playground and then back to the ranch. We packed up and hitched the shack up to head to Johnstown. We thought we knew where we were going and drove on. We stopped for lunch and watched as Abi tried to climb in the kid playground at McDs but she is still too short and doubting in her skill. When we were heading west on the turnpike we knew we were going the wrong way and had another hour back to J-town.
We arrived an hour past Abi's naptime but we got it all set up and I took a nap while David went on the river. After nap we started to explore the festival area. There was a playground but the plastic was burning hot being in the sun all day. Then we saw the play pavilion - an area for preschoolers to go in the shade where there were toys and stickers and arts and crafts. This was amazing. Abi spent an hour here exploring and playing. Meanwhile, I filled up a plastic tub and schlepped it to our site with the thought that it could be Abi's bathtub. Unfortunately, the water stayed col
d and she shrieked and cried the whole time i tried to wash her. We headed to eat n park for dinner and afterward David returned from the river.
We walked the festival and saw the boaters doing tricks. Abi wanted to get into the water but didn't know how cold the water would be. If only the water was warmer she would have been in there a lot more.
After she was asleep we relaxed with our friends, making jokes, and eating ice cream. The next day we planned to leave Abi with Desiree while we ran the river. And I started worrying. Worrying that she would cry when we left, that she would cry all day, that she would be mean to Desiree, that she would not sleep, and so on. Everyone reassured me that she'd be fine and to relax.
In the morning, we got breakfast and hung out as the kayakers woke. On the way to the port-o-potties i found a 50 cent piece! Who still uses these? This was a sign. Coming out of breakfast there were two quarters on the floor - another good sign! Also, Abi was warming up to Desiree and played play doh for fifteen minutes while we were out of sight loading up and getting coordinated - the universe said it was going to be fine. Before we left, David walked Abi and Desire over to the play station. Abi ran in and didn't look back. We left for the river and did all the usual things - ran shuttle, got changed, chatted with people. In the time that cars ran shuttle I realized that I did not have nose plugs, had two right gloves, and no foam in my boat to keep my legs bent. Oh no, the river gods are sending me a sign. I went toward the water to pee and i slipped and flopped right into the water. The signs, the signs! But, I got on the river with borrowed nose plugs, two right gloves and our lunch bag as a foot rest.
The Stonycreek is a great river because it is not technical. You can read and react to the water without too many consequences. There is a lot of play and many people play for hours on it even though it's a short run (only four miles I think). Every time I run it, though, I keep expecting more difficulty around the next horizon line but it never comes. So, I managed to mind fuck myself over and over.
We got off the river and got back to camp. Abi was at the play pavilion and Desiree gave us two thumbs up as we approached. She said that Abi didn't cry once. She was obedient, ate lunch when asked, and took a 2.5 hour nap! I was amazed and a bit jealous. We played around for the rest of the daylight with the play pavilion and the jungle gym, which cooled down in the late afternoon hours. Abi got to have late nights going to bed with the sun.
Once she was a sleep, momma was able to hunker down with a can of Old Chub which amuses me a ridiculous amount.
The next day we drove home and got Abi back by afternoon nap time.
