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Authors: Julie Angus
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sailing, meandering south along America’s west coast to Mexico, across the Pacific Ocean, around Australia, and amid tropical islands.
When he returned to Canada, Colin—unable to stay away from the library—became seduced by tales of the Amazon River, and decided to raft it from beginning to end. Lacking the ability to whitewater raft did not cross his mind as a serious hurdle, nor did gun-toting rebels, class-five whitewater, or a financially challenged bank account. He found facts in books, saved his pennies, and learned to raft while becoming a guide on the Kananaskis River near Canmore, Alberta. Only one previous team had successfully navigated the full Amazon, although many had tried and failed with fatal consequences. And all these expeditions were well financed, equipped with cutting-edge equipment, and teamed with experienced athletes.
Again, despite popular advice to the contrary, Colin and two friends left with a whitewater raft, a video camera his sister had given them, and almost no money. Colin read the camera manual on the plane, and in Peru he hit the record button for the first time. Five months later they reached the Atlantic Ocean and he returned home. The documentary I watched came from that footage and was edited on his home computer with trial software. Somehow he had also managed to write a book during the time he wasn’t working his day job, editing the film, or planning his next adventure. Three years had passed since his Amazon voyage, and since then, he’d been on a few more hair-raising adventures, made another film, and written his second book.
Why can’t I ever meet guys like this? I mused. But it was more than Colin’s love of the outdoors or his willingness to explore its remotest corners that captivated me; it was his compulsion to do things that at first glance seemed impossible. And I loved that he didn’t take on these challenges rashly. Instead, he diligently researched them and acquired the needed skills before reaching the conclusion that Yes, this is possible. Then, despite setbacks, limited finances, and opposing public opinion, he stuck to his plan and never gave up.
I walked out of the theatre, passing the table of his books in the foyer, and thought, Hmmm, I guess I should support his next journey. I bought Amazon Extreme for twenty dollars and went back into the theatre to get it signed. A group of people circled Colin, asking questions about his journey. I hovered at the perimeter, waiting my turn. He turned to glance at me while listening to a question. He did the same thing during the next question. My ears started to feel hot, and I had the sinking suspicion I was blushing. There was a slight pause in the questioning, and he turned to me.
I racked my brain for all the questions I had, but, afflicted with acute amnesia, I resorted to probably the most frequently asked question: “So, ahhh, ummm, what was your favourite part of the trip?” He graciously answered my lame query as if it was the first time he’d heard such a brilliant inquiry. Finally my neurons haphazardly started to fire, and I remembered the things I was curious about. “How long did you have to stay with the armed men who captured you in Peru? How did you get your stolen video camera back? What is your upcoming expedition?” Shyness prevented me from asking the question I really wanted to ask.
“Who should I make this out to?” Colin asked, reaching for my book.
“Julie.”
“Do you have any trips planned?”
My mind blanked, and I panicked. I was supposed to climb Mount Rainier during my holidays the following week, but that had been cancelled. What were those ski trips I wanted to do this winter? Does going home to visit my parents at Christmas count? “Turkey, I’m going to Turkey next year,” I blurted, relieved that comprehensible words had exited my mouth.
I’d been to Istanbul once and had long dreamed of returning, but that was as far into planning as I had
When he returned to Canada, Colin—unable to stay away from the library—became seduced by tales of the Amazon River, and decided to raft it from beginning to end. Lacking the ability to whitewater raft did not cross his mind as a serious hurdle, nor did gun-toting rebels, class-five whitewater, or a financially challenged bank account. He found facts in books, saved his pennies, and learned to raft while becoming a guide on the Kananaskis River near Canmore, Alberta. Only one previous team had successfully navigated the full Amazon, although many had tried and failed with fatal consequences. And all these expeditions were well financed, equipped with cutting-edge equipment, and teamed with experienced athletes.
Again, despite popular advice to the contrary, Colin and two friends left with a whitewater raft, a video camera his sister had given them, and almost no money. Colin read the camera manual on the plane, and in Peru he hit the record button for the first time. Five months later they reached the Atlantic Ocean and he returned home. The documentary I watched came from that footage and was edited on his home computer with trial software. Somehow he had also managed to write a book during the time he wasn’t working his day job, editing the film, or planning his next adventure. Three years had passed since his Amazon voyage, and since then, he’d been on a few more hair-raising adventures, made another film, and written his second book.
Why can’t I ever meet guys like this? I mused. But it was more than Colin’s love of the outdoors or his willingness to explore its remotest corners that captivated me; it was his compulsion to do things that at first glance seemed impossible. And I loved that he didn’t take on these challenges rashly. Instead, he diligently researched them and acquired the needed skills before reaching the conclusion that Yes, this is possible. Then, despite setbacks, limited finances, and opposing public opinion, he stuck to his plan and never gave up.
I walked out of the theatre, passing the table of his books in the foyer, and thought, Hmmm, I guess I should support his next journey. I bought Amazon Extreme for twenty dollars and went back into the theatre to get it signed. A group of people circled Colin, asking questions about his journey. I hovered at the perimeter, waiting my turn. He turned to glance at me while listening to a question. He did the same thing during the next question. My ears started to feel hot, and I had the sinking suspicion I was blushing. There was a slight pause in the questioning, and he turned to me.
I racked my brain for all the questions I had, but, afflicted with acute amnesia, I resorted to probably the most frequently asked question: “So, ahhh, ummm, what was your favourite part of the trip?” He graciously answered my lame query as if it was the first time he’d heard such a brilliant inquiry. Finally my neurons haphazardly started to fire, and I remembered the things I was curious about. “How long did you have to stay with the armed men who captured you in Peru? How did you get your stolen video camera back? What is your upcoming expedition?” Shyness prevented me from asking the question I really wanted to ask.
“Who should I make this out to?” Colin asked, reaching for my book.
“Julie.”
“Do you have any trips planned?”
My mind blanked, and I panicked. I was supposed to climb Mount Rainier during my holidays the following week, but that had been cancelled. What were those ski trips I wanted to do this winter? Does going home to visit my parents at Christmas count? “Turkey, I’m going to Turkey next year,” I blurted, relieved that comprehensible words had exited my mouth.
I’d been to Istanbul once and had long dreamed of returning, but that was as far into planning as I had
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