Today we paddled to Vergennes.  It was about a 10-mile paddle.  We put in below the Weybridge Dam and paddled through some light rapids.  Corey and I handled these very well; it is what came next that messed us up.  We came to the right side of the river to catch a branch to slow us down so that we could wait for the others.  Corey was in front and grabbed a vine.  The current turned us broadside to the current and sucked the right side of the canoe under the surface.  Water began to rush in and it felt as though we would drown.  In an act of desperation, Corey and I flung ourselves onto the side of the canoe that was remaining out of the water.  Our total weight managed to tip out canoe right.  Even though our canoe was righted and we were able to avoid a full roll, we were still out of control.  The current carried our canoe down river along with the 6 inches of Otter Creek in the bottom.  We were turned backwards and could not steer old Abbey. Corey managed to latch onto a downed tree that protruded from the bank.  We were able to stop and bail our canoe.  From there on the paddling was a breeze.  The current was strong today so we didn’t have to exert to much energy in paddling.  We pulled out before the Vergennes falls and portaged about a half-mile around them.  After an hour and a half, we were able to enter the water again.  We paddled to the Vergennes Waste Water Treatment Facility where we would camp for the night.  This day was quite an experience because neither Corey nor I had ever rolled a canoe.  I was able to see what a frightening experience it would be to enter 46F water.  You lose the feeling of invincibility that all
teenagers carry when you meet a force of nature that can overpower you so easily.  You also learn the helplessness of others when you are in a situation like this.  It is you fighting to survive while others look on and hope you make it to the bank or try and retrieve your things from the river. This was an eye opening and exhilarating first day back.